One of the longest-running talk shows on daytime television, “Dr. Phil,” will air its final original episodes in the spring after 21 seasons.
The 72-year-old Dr. Phil McGraw made the decision to stop making new episodes at the end of the 2022–23 season. With a package of repeats, CBS Media Ventures, the distributor, hopes to keep the syndicated “Dr. Phil” on the air at least through the 2023–2024 season.
CBS sources emphasized that McGraw requested the cancellation of the Monday-Friday hour-long series. In recent years, McGraw has been producing more scripted primetime programming. Additionally, he hosts two podcasts. “Dr. Phil” continues to average approximately 2 million viewers per episode despite widespread steep declines in linear television. This makes it the daytime talk show with the highest ratings, surpassing Disney’s “Live With Kelly and Ryan.”
After a quarter-century of daytime work, McGraw sees the end of “Dr. Phil.” In the latter part of the 1990s, he got his start as a regular guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” As a result, his own series was launched in the fall of 2002. The series was initially distributed by King World Productions, which is owned by CBS, and produced by Winfrey’s Harpo Productions.
In a statement, McGraw said, “I have been blessed with over 25 wonderful years in daytime television.” “With this show, we have helped thousands of guests and millions of viewers through everything from addiction and marriage to mental wellness and raising children. This has been an incredible chapter of my life and career, but while I’m moving on from daytime, there is so much more I wish to do.”
By stating that he plans to announce a “strategic primetime partnership” that will enable him to “increase his impact on television and viewers,” McGraw gave a hint at a forthcoming television venture. Despite the lack of specifics, McGraw is aiming for a launch in early 2024.
“I am compelled to enage with a broader audience because I have grave concerns for the American family, and I am determined to help restore a clarity of purpose as well as our core values,” McGraw said.
Paramount Global’s bottom line will undoubtedly suffer as a result of the show’s licensing fees and advertising revenue, as well as the loss of original “Dr. Phil” episodes. TV station owners were taken aback by CBS’s high price tag for the “Dr. Phil” rerun package for the upcoming season when word of McGraw’s decision to stop new production spread.
Steve LoCascio, president of CBS Media Ventures, stated, “Phil is a valued partner and member of the CBS/King World family, and while his show may be ending after 21 years, I’m happy to say our relationship is not.” “Phil changed the daytime landscape as the force behind one of the most popular talk shows ever on daytime TV. We plan to be in the ‘Dr. Phil’ business with the library for years to come and welcome opportunities to work together in the future.”
CBS wants to dress up the repeat episodes with new McGraw-filmed wraparound material, such as updates on the fate of specific guests and new counseling and therapy developments. McGraw’s relatable advice to troubled couples, overworked parents, irritable teenagers, impulsive adults, and others struggling with substance abuse, mental illness, and relationship issues won him the respect of millions of viewers.
Over the years, McGraw’s show has also received a lot of criticism for what some people think is exploiting guests and their problems for TV ratings. A bad episode of “Dr. Phil” in 2016 featured actor Shelley Duvall, who has been open about her long battle with mental illness. CBS noted in its announcement of the show’s end that “Dr. Phil” had provided guests with more than $35 million worth of resources after the cameras stopped rolling. In 2016, the show received criticism for how it handled an interview with actor Shelley Duvall, who has struggled with mental illness for a long time.
McGraw was a well-known jury consultant before he became famous on “Oprah Winfrey.” He ran his own business, Courtroom Sciences Inc., and that part of his resume was the inspiration for the CBS scripted drama “Bull,” which starred Michael Weatherly and ran for six seasons beginning in 2016.
McGraw is currently the executive producer of the mother-son legal drama “So Help Me Todd,” which debuted on CBS in the fall. In addition, Phil in the Blanks and Mystery & Murder: Podcasts are hosted by him. Analysis by Dr. Phil,” which he and his son Jay McGraw produce under the Stage 29 Productions banner.
Over the course of its run, “Dr. Phil” has received 31 Daytime Emmy nominations. Together with Carla Pennington, McGraw is the executive producer for Season 21.