Phil McGraw, better known as Dr. Phil, was a regular guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show between 1998 and 2002. At that point, he launched his own daytime television show – called ‘Dr. Phil’ – with the help of his friend, Oprah Winfrey. Now roughly 21 years later, McGraw is ready to bring that show to an end.
Dr. Phil made the announcement in a statement that was published by multiple outlets on Tuesday. While no date was given for the show’s final episode, the current 2022-23 season is expected to end in the spring and networks are expected to continue airing reruns of the hit show through the 2023-24 season.
“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,” said Dr. Phil.
For those that have taken a strong liking to Dr. Phil over the past two decades, don’t panic – his show might be ending, but he isn’t going anywhere. In fact, he’s already in talks with CBS and will be focusing his efforts on a ‘strategic primetime partnership’ that will help him engage with a much larger audience.
CBS and McGraw have also revealed an ‘unspecified project’ that will begin next year as he continues his transition to scripted projects – he’ll also continue hosting his podcasts, Phil in the Blanks and Mystery & Murder: Analysis by Dr. Phil, both of which are available now. The 72-year-old has no quit in him.
“I am compelled to engage 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,” Dr. Phil said in his statement. As for CBS, they look forward to unleashing their massive Dr. Phil library for years to come.
Even after 21 years, his show still pulls in an average of about two million viewers per episode. According to Variety, that ranks them as the No. 2 highest-rated talk show – behind Live with Kelly and Ryan. The show’s exit follows the exit of The Wendy Williams Show, The Ellen Degeneres Show, and The Real.
CBS President Speaks Highly of Dr. Phil and His Impact on Daytime TV
In the hours following the shocking announcement, CBS Media Ventures President Steve LoCascio released a statement of his own – in which he expressed his gratitude for everything Dr. Phil has done for the network and everything he still has left to give. He added how happy he was for their relationship.
“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,” said LoCascio in his statement. Dr. Phil totaled roughly 4,000 episodes over its 21-year run, welcoming more than 20,000 guests during that time.
“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” added LoCascio. We can’t wait to see what the future holds!
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Outside of his role on daytime television, Dr. Phil is a loving husband to Robin Jo Jameson, who he’s been married to for nearly five decades, and is a loving parent to their two children – Jay McGraw and Jordan McGraw. He also has a charity – Dr. Phil Foundation – and, fun fact, he is a private pilot!