Why is ‘Dr. Phil’ ending? Does he have any future projects?
Dr. Phil, a mainstay of daytime TV in the US, has decided to end his show. We looked at some of his most memorable moments.
For over twenty-five years, Dr. Phil has entertained daytime audiences, and just this week, the host announced that he would be stepping away from his show.
In a statement released by Dr. Phil McGraw, he touted the impact of his show and the help provided to “thousands of guests and millions of viewers through everything from addiction and marriage to mental wellness and raising children.”
What will Dr. Phil do next?
While Dr. Phil did not specify what he plans to do after the show ends, Variety, the outlet that broke the story, says he may not be away from our screens for very long. Reporters at Variety have heard from McGraw and others at CBS that “he intends to announce a “strategic primetime partnership” that will be designed to allow him to “increase his impact on television and viewers.””
His new show, should it reach the final stages of approval, would begin airing in early 2024 at the earliest. In describing what motivates the 72-year-old to continue his career in TV, he said he feels “compelled to engage with a broader audience” due to “grave concerns for the American family.”
Two of Dr. Phil’s memorable moments
Over the show’s twenty-one seasons, there are plenty of unforgettable segments that audiences will never forget.
Danielle - Catch me outside, how ‘bout that
One of the most ‘meme-ed’ moments from the show shared widely on social media came from an episode that aired in Septemebr 2016. Danielle, a thirteen-year-old, first appeared on ‘Dr. Phil’ with her mother, who wanted to discuss the tensions in their relationship. The teenager had stolen her mother’s car, and when Dr. Phil tried to explain the consequences of stealing, she responded with the famous line, “catch me outside, how ‘bout that.”
Danielle would return to the program a year later after attending a boarding school, where she received psychological help. Upon her return, her demeanor and voice were very different. When asked what she plans to do with her future, she told the audience that she planned to become a nurse.
Nicollete - The Allowance Child
There is less of a happy ending for Nicolette, a fifteen-year-old who saw her allowance decreased from $5,000 to $1,000...a month. “I want my mom to understand that I can’t live off of $1,000 a month,” said Nicollete to a live studio audience, adding that she “grew up on a certain lifestyle.” It does not seem that the mother-daughter duo was helped by Dr. Phil, with the show really only promoting the family’s social media presence.