Who is Dr Phil’s wife? Long-running daytime talk show 'Dr. Phil' to end after 21 seasons
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA: Dr Phil McGraw, who has earned 31 Daytime Emmy nominations, is all set to end the long-running daytime talk show 'Dr. Phil', after 21 seasons. The CBS series, which began airing in September 2002, will stop producing new episodes at the end of the 2022-2023 season.
McGraw, who previously appeared for several years on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' beginning in the late '90s, said in a statement, "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," according to Variety.
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Phil added that he would be focusing on primetime programming endeavors and would soon be announcing a "strategic prime-time partnership," which was not known at the moment. He said, "I am compelled to engage with a broader audience because I have grave concerns for the American family, and I am determined to help restore a clarity of purpose as well as our core values." Commenting on McGraw wrapping up his show, President of CBS Media Ventures Steve LoCascio reportedly said, “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. 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.”
'Dr. Phil' criticized for exploiting guests for TV ratings
Phil's show has faced severe criticism over the years with some pointing out the exploitation of guests for TV ratings. As per Buzzfeed News, a former employee said that they were instructed to not give prescribed medication to a guest. The individual said, "We were specifically instructed, ‘Make sure that she doesn't take her medication before she goes onstage,’ because they wanted her to look unstable and quote-unquote, ‘crazy,’ for lack of a better term." The employee added, “She did take the medication because no one got there in time and I remember thinking, ‘My God, I don't want to be the one to tell them or dissuade them from that.’ And that's all for the sake of TV. Obviously this girl should be on her medication and that's what we're trying to get her help for, but for the sake of TV they wanted her to look off the rails.” In 2008, McGraw was criticised by Britney Spears' family and mental health professionals for visiting the singer while she was being hospitalised for a mental breakdown, as he tried to make an episode out of it, per The Guardian.
However, Phil's spokesperson reportedly said, "McGraw and his diverse team of more than 200 proud staff, many of whom have been here for two decades, have sincerely and respectfully worked with thousands of appreciative guests.”
“From the beginning, show executives have strived to create a collaborative, safe, and open environment for Dr. Phil McGraw and all staff and guests,” the spokesperson continued, adding, “We are grateful for the overwhelming number of proud, dedicated colleagues who have helped achieve our sustained success through 20 seasons of the program with many more to come.”
Who is Dr Phil’s wife?
Phil is married to Robin, a philanthropist, author and TV personality, since 1976 and has two children, Jay and Jordan. According to The Sun, she is the founder of When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw and Dr. Phil Foundation, and is also a board member of The Dr. Phil Foundation. Along with that, she also works as a national spokesperson for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children), which works for abused and neglected children in court and other settings. Before marrying Robin, Phil was married to his high school sweetheart, Debbie Higgins, whom he married in 1970 but three years later they separated.