The syndicated talk series ‘Dr. Phil’, hosted by Dr. Phil McGraw, is ending after 21 seasons. The program, launched in September 2002, was co-created by McGraw and Oprah Winfrey. The 72-year-old McGraw said in a statement. “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.”
McGraw began his television career on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ in the 1990s before launching his own series. Dr. Phil His started its run in second place in ratings (only behind Winfrey’s show at the time) and has remained among the top two most-watched shows in daytime television throughout the 21 seasons.
Dr. Phil will air new episodes until the current season ends this spring, and the show’s distributor, CBS Media Ventures, will also keep reruns on the air for the 2023-2024 season. CBS Media Ventures president Steve LoCascio said in a statement: “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.”
Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com