It’s the end of an era! After years of “YOU ARE NOT THE FATHER” paternity tests that made his show a pop culture magnet, Maury Povich has confirmed his retirement, and that his talk show Maury will be wrapping up with its current season. The talk show host also announced his retirement as NBCUniversal also confirmed the news, per Deadline.
The decision to end the talk show was a mutual one as Povich planned on retiring six years ago. When he re-upped in 2020 through the 2021-22 season, all parties involved knew this would be the final renewal. Tracie Wilson, EVP, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios, had this to say about the show ending:
“Maury and I decided two years ago that this season would be the farewell season for the show, and while his retirement is bittersweet, we are so happy for him to be able to spend more time on the golf course. Maury is a television icon, a pop culture legend and we couldn’t be more proud to have been a part of his incredible career.”
Povich also commented on the ending of the show and his retirement. At 83-years-old, Povich felt it was time to hang it up but he is proud of the relationship he built with NBCUniversal:
“Six years ago when I was ready to retire, my the NBCUniversal family asked me to continue the show. Even though I told them I was ready for assisted living, out of loyalty to NBCUniversal and my more than 100 staff and crew members, Tracie Wilson and I agreed to one more deal. I’m so proud of my relationship with NBCUniversal and all those who worked on the Maury show but as I occasionally tell my guests on Maury, ‘Enough, already!’”
The Maury Povich Show began in 1991 via Paramount Domestic Television. The show shortened its name to Maury in the mid-1990s and, in 1998, Studio USA took over the talk show. Studio USA has since been acquired by NBCUniversal. Maury became largely successful during the era of tabloid-influenced talk shows that also included The Jerry Springer Show, The Ricki Lake Show, and others. The talk show was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Entertainment in 2017.
Povich began his career as a radio reporter in Washington D.C. before launching to national fame as the host of A Current Affair in 1986. He stayed with the series until his departure in 1990, a year before his talk show launched. I have to say this is one hell of a run and his talk show did truly make him a pop-culture figure that is known by people of all ages.
Will YOU miss Maury after Povich officially enters retirement? New episodes are expected to air through September.