It’s official! The legendary daytime talk show, Dr. Phil, is coming to an end after 21 seasons. The host of the show, the one and only Dr. Phil McGraw, will be wrapping up his time on the show after signing his most recent five-year contract with CBS Media Ventures in 2018. But don’t worry, fans of the show, as CBS Media Ventures is expected to give networks the option to run previously-taped episodes for the 2023-24 season.
In a statement sent to PEOPLE, Dr. Phil had this to say about his time on the show: “I have been blessed with over 25 wonderful years in daytime television. 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.
‘Dr. Phil’ Says Goodbye After 21 Seasons: Host Set To “Engage With a Broader Audience”
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.” But what could the future hold for Dr. Phil? CBS Media Ventures has hinted that the good doctor will soon share details about a “strategic primetime partnership” that will allow him to “increase his impact on television and viewers.” Could we be seeing Dr. Phil in a brand new show soon? Only time will tell.
As for why Dr. Phil is making this move, it seems he has his sights set on a larger audience. He stated, “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.”
And it looks like his desire to reach a broader audience may have something to do with his recent focus on producing scripted projects and hosting two podcasts, Phil in the Blanks and Mystery & Murder: Analysis by Dr. Phil.Dr. Phil’s exit from daytime TV comes amidst the ending of other popular daytime talk shows like The Wendy Williams Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Dr. Oz, and The Real. But Dr. Phil’s legacy in the world of talk shows is undeniable.
His show first launched in late 2002, and since then, he has hosted nearly 4,000 episodes featuring 20,000 guests and receiving letters from 5 million viewers. Despite this being the end of Dr. Phil, it still remains one of the highest-rated talk shows, with an average of 2 million people tuning in to each episode.
In a statement, Steve LoCascio, president of CBS Media Ventures, had this to say about Dr. Phil’s departure: “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.” Steve LoCascio went ahead to say, “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.” So there you have it. The end of an era for Dr. Phil. But don’t worry, as we’re sure we’ll be seeing more of Dr. Phil in the future. Whether it be through his “strategic primetime partnership” or through reruns of his beloved show, one thing is for sure – Dr. Phil will always hold a special place in our hearts.
