Phil McGraw will be officially taking a bow, as daytime talk/therapy show Dr. Phil will end after 21 seasons later this year. The question now is, what will your aunt watch?
Dr. Phil premiered in 2002 after a successful series of segments and promotions from Oprah Winfrey on her own show. As of the current season, the show has been nominated for 30 Daytime Emmy Awards.
In a statement, McGraw said of his run on Dr. Phil, “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. 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.”
In another statement, CBS Media Ventures president Steve LoCascio said the working relationship between Dr. Phil and the network is far from over. “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.” He also championed McGraw’s legacy, saying, “Phil changed the daytime landscape as the force behind one of the most popular talk shows ever on daytime TV.”
Dr. Phil has faced its share of criticism and controversy, including many saying the show has offered “ineffective” advice throughout its run. In one of the more questionable episodes, actress Shelley Duvall–well out of the spotlight–was seen to be in an unstable state, with numerous critics saying the show exploited her condition.
Now 72 and with a little downtime, perhaps McGraw can do what other doctors do with their recreational time: relax, play tennis, make ill-advised runs for the U.S. Senate…Or maybe he could turn up in another Scary Movie? In the meantime, you may be able to cash him ousside, how bow dah?
The final episodes of Dr. Phil will air in May.
Were you a fan of Dr. Phil? What do you think his legacy is? Let us know in the comments section below.