The long-running television show “Dr. Phil” has announced that it will be coming to an end this spring after 21 seasons.
The show, hosted by Dr. Phil McGraw, has been a staple in daytime television for over two decades and has helped countless guests and viewers with issues from addiction to marriage and mental wellness.
Now, Dr. Phil will be shifting his focus to prime-time programming with new partnerships due to launch in early 2024.
“I have been blessed with over 25 wonderful years in daytime television,” 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.”
Dr. Phil debuted on daytime television in September 2002 and was quickly met with success. The show earned 31 Daytime Emmy nominations and provided over $35 million in resources for its guests off-camera. Dr. Phil was also inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2015 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in February 2020.
Despite the success, “Dr. Phil” was not without controversy. Last year, nearly a dozen current and former employees of the show spoke out to BuzzFeed, describing their workplace as “traumatizing” and a “war zone.” Dr. Phil’s attorney, H. Patrick Morris, “categorically denie[d]” the allegations.
Although the show is coming to an end, CBS Media Ventures will be repackaging and rerunning old episodes of the show for the 2023-2024 season and beyond. The repurposed episodes will include new content such as “wrap-arounds and intros” by Dr. Phil and “guest updates.”
Dr. Phil says he is “compelled to engage with a broader audience” to help restore clarity and core values in American families. His new partnership is set to launch in early 2024, and it is sure to be just as successful as “Dr. Phil” was during its two-decade run.
“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,” McGraw said.
