Today’s television landscape would look like an alien planet to visitors from 2002. Cable had only begun to hit its stride with original programming, “streaming” TV had not yet taken hold, binging an entire new series in a weekend wasn’t possible. And despite the existence of hundreds of channel options, a series focusing seriously on mental health was nowhere to be found.
Then Dr. Phil McGraw came along. After several tryouts on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” the folksy, mustached, straight talking doctor of psychology landed his own series. “Dr. Phil” premiered on Sept. 16, 2002 — and the floodgates were officially opened. Equal parts insight and heartfelt entertainment therapy, with a sprinkle of ratings-goosing sensationalism, McGraw and his team, which includes his wife, Robin, on camera and executive producer Carla Pennington behind it, kicked off with an episode focusing on stressed-out parents who yelled at their kids.
Twenty seasons later, they’ve never looked back.
Then Dr. Phil McGraw came along. After several tryouts on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” the folksy, mustached, straight talking doctor of psychology landed his own series. “Dr. Phil” premiered on Sept. 16, 2002 — and the floodgates were officially opened. Equal parts insight and heartfelt entertainment therapy, with a sprinkle of ratings-goosing sensationalism, McGraw and his team, which includes his wife, Robin, on camera and executive producer Carla Pennington behind it, kicked off with an episode focusing on stressed-out parents who yelled at their kids.
Twenty seasons later, they’ve never looked back.
- 11/10/2021
- by Randee Dawn
- Variety Film + TV
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