Dr. Phil Primetime is an American prime time talk show hosted by Phil McGraw, airing on Merit Street, from Fort Worth, Texas.[1] The show premiered on April 2, 2024 and is produced by McGraw's own production company, Merit Street Media.[2] Its accompanying streaming service Merit+ also carries the show.
On November 6, 2023, four months after the end of his daytime show, McGraw announced plans for a new prime time show on his own television network, Merit Street.[3] Dozens of longtime Dr. Phil staffers were reported to have relocated from Los Angeles to Texas to continue working alongside McGraw.[4]
The first episode aired on April 2, 2024, and featured a debate between Hamas defector Mosab Yousef and two pro-Palestinian college students.[5] On June 7, 2024, McGraw drew criticism for interviewing former U.S. president Donald Trump on the show and agreeing with Trump that his hush money trial was unfair, describing it as "prosecutorial abuse."[6][7][8]
Most episodes consist of McGraw talking to guests about their personal issues or general hot-button issues, in front of a live studio audience.[9][10] In contrast to his previous Dr. Phil show, the program features more of McGraw's personal views on education, family values and immigration, some of which have been described as conservativetalking points.[11][12]
