Phil McGraw – better known as Dr. — has a lot to be excited about in the coming weeks and is letting ET be the first to get a sneak peek.
In an exclusive new interview with Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier, the 73-year-old daytime talk show host talked about his new book and gave a tour of the Texas studio where his network, Merit Street Media, is headquartered.
For the Oklahoma native, Merit Street Media’s goal is for his news organization to be at the center of the country, both literally and metaphorically. The name came from the idea that the stories should reach Central America, but never alienate those who tune in to be presented with the facts in a purely merit-based way.
“Merit Street was not chosen at random. I think this country is built on a meritocracy, where you reward hard work, talent and contribution,” he told ET. “This is where Merit Street meets Main Street America at an intersection.”
This grand concept is the basis for his biggest and best ideals, as well as the grandiose studio where his new show, Dr. Phil primetimefilms.
“Let me tell you, I’ve been on every news show in America – ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CNN – I’ve been on all of them and I’ve never seen anything like what we have here.” he says. “Hey, everything’s big in Texas.”
The new network also features big names such as Steve Harvey, Nancy Grace It is Chris Harrison, each hosting their own shows on Merit Street. Harvey’s Hosts Stevewhile Grace leads Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. The name of Harrison’s show has not yet been announced, but ET recently spoke to him about joining the network as host of a dating reality show.
“Call it divine intervention, karma, kismet, whatever, the fact that Dr. Phil created this network in my own backyard here in Dallas, it means a lot to me to not only return to television, but to be doing it here on in his hometown crowd,” said Harrison, 52.
Additionally, Harrison is teaming up with his wifeformer ET correspondent Lauren Zimato present a morning show, with The Bachelor alum gushing, “Not only can I go back to television, but I can do it with the woman I love.”
In February 2023, McGraw spoke exclusively with ET about your syndicated television show, Dr., coming to an end after two decades. He played coy about what was to come, however.
“I’ve been doing this for 21 years and I love it, I’m still very passionate about it, and make no mistake, I’m not leaving television. I’m just getting out of the (TV) day,” McGraw said.
At the time, he described it as a prime-time take on what he described as an important issue for the American public, adding that he believes facts are not now at the center of informative news programs and that he hopes his new venture will change that.
“(It’s) not just a show, but a whole take on what’s happening in America right now because… I’m very concerned about what’s happening in America right now,” McGraw said. “I’m worried that the American family is under attack, that our values are under attack, that the very concept of truth is under attack. I wanted a bigger audience, a bigger play, a bigger platform than the day can allow.”
Centering a return to facts is also the concept behind McGraw’s new book, We have problems: how can you stay strong for the soul and sanity of America, which was released at the end of February. Among the main issues he believes the country faces is cancel culture, which has been “taken too far.”
“The title of the book is We have problems, and clearly we do,” he tells ET. “They pushed too hard and people are saying, ‘Now wait a minute’… They’re pulling back now, and I think it’s the right time for this book. It’s the right time to Dr. Phil primetime. I think people are ready for common sense again.”
Dr. Phil primetime airs daily at 8pm – check local listings. Your new book is already on shelves and everywhere books are available.
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