After 21 years, Dr. Phil McGraw revealed why he ended his popular TV show. Speaking to CNN’s Chris Wallace on “Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?,” Dr. Phil stated he had accomplished his goals for the show. He initially aimed to address crucial social issues, especially mental illness, to bring them to the forefront of public discourse.
He commented on the rise in mental health challenges, particularly among teenagers, and linked this trend to increased smartphone use and social media’s unrealistic portrayals of life. Dr. Phil, a clinical and forensic psychologist, co-created the show with Oprah Winfrey in 2002. The show became a significant platform for discussing psychological issues and offering “life strategies” to guests. His decision to end the show came from a place of fulfillment, having successfully tackled the topics he set out to highlight, including the “silent epidemics” of mental health.