Phil McGraw, America’s TV psychiatrist, plans to “Dr. Phil’ after 21 seasons

Phil McGraw, pictured here at a 2016 premiere, plans to end his long-running daytime TV show to forge a new prime-time partnership.

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Phil McGraw, pictured here at a 2016 premiere, plans to end his long-running daytime TV show to forge a new prime-time partnership.

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Phil McGraw, America’s controversial television therapist, is ending his reign as the king of daytime television.

After 21 years of dominating ratings, dr Phil will cease production of new shows after the 2023 season, CBS Media Ventures announced Tuesday.

But McGraw himself won’t go too far. The 72-year-old plans to announce a “strategic prime-time partnership.” [with CBS Media Ventures]slated for early 2024, which will expand its reach and increase its impact on television and viewers,” the release said.

McGraw noted that he is compelled to expand his audience because he has “serious concerns about the American family” and is “determined to help restore clarity of purpose and our core values.”

‘DR. Phil’ has been criticized for exploiting mental illness

Since its premiere in September 2002 dr Phil has offered scathing, straight-shooting advice to guests ranging from feuding couples and addicted adults to grieving celebrities and dangerous criminals.

The show’s shock value has generated a steady drumbeat of controversy that is often framed by perception dr Phil exploits mental illness for cheap TV thrills.

McGraw has repeatedly interviewed a woman who said she is both the daughter of rapper Eminem and pregnant with baby Jesus. A meme-filled 2016 guest teen trying to challenge the audience to a fight (“Catch me outside, how about that?”) used her virality to fuel a successful rap career.

The formula works to keep TV audiences captivated. About 2 million viewers tune in for the hour-long shows, which run Monday through Friday afternoons dr Phil the second most watched daytime show on air. The series and its host have been nominated for 31 Daytime Emmys.

McGraw has a PhD in clinical psychology, but he stopped maintaining an active license after he began performing regularly The Oprah Winfrey Show in the late 1990s.

His lack of current psychological credentials made headlines in 2016 dr Phil an interview with aired The glow‘s Shelley Duvall when she appeared to be suffering from mental delusions.

Several employees of dr Phil These guests are often manipulated into a vulnerable state in order to make for dramatic television, according to research by Buzzfeed News. In one instance, a staff member was ordered to withhold medication prescribed for a guest to ensure she looked unstable in front of cameras.

McGraw’s lack of medical expertise also surfaced in April 2020 after he made an appearance FoxNews with no evidence to say that the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown would be deadlier than the virus itself.

CBS says it still has old episodes of “Dr. Phil’ with new all-around content

Phil McGraw and his wife Robin attend a ceremony honoring the dr Phil Host with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2020.

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Phil McGraw and his wife Robin attend a ceremony honoring the dr Phil Host with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2020.

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In its press release announcing the end of the show, CBS Media Ventures said dr Phil provided more than $35 million in free health and wellness resources to guests off-camera.

The series has also won five PRISM awards for “accurate portrayal of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use and addiction,” and McGraw was recognized by the American Psychological Association for raising awareness of mental health issues, says CBS.

McGraw, who was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame, has expanded his media brand by launching two podcasts and authoring nine books. He was also executive producer of a legal drama, So help me Toddbased on his early career as a forensic psychologist.

CBS Media Ventures says it will continue to offer reruns to its stations dr Phil with new content like intros by McGraw and guest updates.

“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 pleased to say our relationship is not,” said Steve LoCascio, President of CBS Media venture.

“We plan to dr Phil doing business with the library for years to come and welcome opportunities for future collaboration.”