The Real Reason “Dr. Phil” Is Ending After 21 Seasons

Dr. Phil McGraw—yes, that Dr. Phil, who got his start in television advising loyal audience members on The Oprah Winfrey Show starting in the late ’90s—is bringing his iconic talk show to a close after 21 years. But not to worry: New episodes will continue to air during the 2022-2023 season.

The pair first met in 1996, when Oprah hired him to advise her while she was on trial with the Texas beef industry. After McGraw’s time on The Oprah Winfrey Show came to an end, his program, Dr. Phil, kicked off in September 2002—and 31 Daytime Emmy nominations later, it’s become a television staple. McGraw has written countless books, won two Emmys, and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“I have been blessed with over 25 wonderful years in daytime television,” McGraw said in a statement on Tuesday. “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.”

It looks like McGraw doesn’t want to leave our screens just yet; he will reportedly zero in on “prime-time programming and plans to announce a strategic prime-time partnership” starting in 2024, according to a release.

“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, president of CBS Media Ventures, said in a statement. “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.”

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