NEWYORK –
Daytime TV psychologist “Dr. Phil” McGraw said he plans to end his talk show after 21 years in the coming months, but viewers have yet to see him for the last time.
“Dr. Phil” is the most prominent spin-off on Oprah Winfrey’s show, which once dominated daytime television. Texan’s show debuted in September 2002 after he was featured as a regular guest on Winfrey’s.
“With this show, we’ve helped thousands of guests and millions of viewers overcome everything from addiction and marriage to mental health and parenting,” McGraw said in a statement. “This has been an incredible chapter in my life and career, but while I’m continuing from the day, I still have a lot of work to do.”
The traditional broadcast television season ends in the spring; No date has been given for Phil’s final performance.
McGraw, 72, said he wants to focus on primetime programming and is planning an unspecified project early next year.
In the meantime, while new “Dr. Phil” episodes won’t be made, the show won’t disappear from TV. CBS Media Ventures, the company that provides his show, says it will offer stations a replay package with occasional new coverage of content for future seasons.
It’s a cost-effective route initiated by “Judge Judy,” which aired its last original show in June 2021 but continues to be a favorite in replay episodes.
“We intend to trade ‘Dr. Phil’ with the library for many years to come and welcome future opportunities to work together.
