In a surprising turn of events, renowned daytime television psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw recently declared his decision to wrap up his enduring 21-year talk show. However, he’s quick to reassure his devoted audience that this isn’t the last they’ll see of him. Dr. Phil, an illustrious offshoot of Oprah Winfrey’s television empire, made its debut back in September 2002 after Dr. Phil himself had been a frequent guest on Winfrey’s iconic show.
In a statement released by McGraw, he expressed gratitude for the show’s incredible journey, during which they’ve assisted countless guests and millions of viewers in navigating a wide array of challenges, from addiction and marital issues to mental well-being and parenting dilemmas. McGraw reflected on this chapter in his life and career, acknowledging its significance. He also made it clear that although he’s bidding adieu to his daytime gig, there’s still an abundance of uncharted territory he’s eager to explore.
While no specific date has been pinned down for Dr. Phil’s final episode, it’s worth noting that the broadcast TV season traditionally concludes in the spring. The 72-year-old McGraw is setting his sights on prime-time programming and has an intriguing project in the pipeline, slated for early next year.
Despite the discontinuation of fresh “Dr. Phil” episodes in the foreseeable future, fans need not despair. The program, syndicated by CBS Media Ventures, plans to provide stations with a mix of reruns and occasional new wraparound content for forthcoming seasons. This approach takes inspiration from the successful strategy employed by the beloved sitcom “Judge Judy,” which bid farewell with its last original episode in June 2021 but continues to captivate audiences with reruns.
Steve LoCascio, president of CBS Media Ventures, expressed the network’s commitment to the legacy of “Dr. Phil” by ensuring that the show’s library remains available for years to come. Moreover, he warmly welcomes the prospect of collaborating with Dr. Phil on future endeavors, suggesting that this may not be the final chapter in their partnership.