“Dr. Phil” is downsizing. The long-running daytime talk show, which returns in September for its 21st season, resumed production this month with 25 fewer staffers. The employees, who were mostly in production, were let go in a cost cutting move, the show confirmed to Variety.
“Going into season 21, we streamlined production to ensure longevity. As is typical of this process there were some roles we discovered that we could reduce yet still deliver our dynamic, forward-thinking program,” a spokesperson for “Dr. Phil” said.
The long-running daytime talk show made headlines earlier this year when a dozen current and former employees of “Dr. Phil” spoke to BuzzFeed News about the verbal abuse, fear, intimidation and racism they faced behind the scenes of the production. In addition to toxic workplace claims, seven of the employees accused “Dr. Phil” of manipulating guests of the show who are already in a vulnerable state. Seven employees also accused the “Dr. Phil” production of encouraging them to perpetuate racist stereotypes onscreen.
At the time, Patrick Morris, Phil McGraw’s personal attorney, dismissed the allegations as “a clickbait story,” while a spokesperson said, “creating safe and inclusive working environments is a top priority.”
“Dr. Phil” is produced by Peteski Productions in association with CBS Media Ventures, which also distributes the show. Carla Pennington and Dr. Phillip C. McGraw are the executive producers. The show tapes in Stage 29 at the Paramount Pictures lot on Los Angeles. “Dr. Phil” has been renewed through May 2023, which marks the end of its upcoming Season 21.
Season 21 of “Dr. Phil” premieres on Sept. 12; the show began taping on August 8. The premiere topic is still to be determined.
Last season’s episodes of “Dr. Phil” kicked off with an episode about the wife of a firefighter who mysteriously died during a vacation in Mexico; other episodes dealt with drug addicted teens, financial recovery and youth-obsessed society.
Looking for excitement in your Raw experience? How about an appearance from a WWE Hall of Famer who won an Olympic Gold Medal with a broken freakin’ neck!
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions will be crowned this Monday!
In the finals of the explosive WWE Women’s Tag Team Tournament, Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah will take on Dakota Kai & IYO SKY. Rodriguez & Aliyah could be the perfect combination of power and heart. It remains to be seen if that will be enough, though, to overcome the electric combination of SKY & Kai, who have turned WWE upside down alongside Bayley since returning at SummerSlam.
Which tandem will seize the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship? Find out tonight at 8/7 C on Raw on USA.
The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions and the honorary Uce are taking over the red brand!
Despite the friction between Jey Uso and Sami Zayn, the trio will represent The Bloodline ahead of Roman Reigns’ historic championship celebration next Friday night.
What do The Usos and Zayn have in store for Raw, and can they put their issues aside to focus on Reigns’ upcoming showdown with Drew McIntyre at WWE Clash at the Castle?
Ahead of his highly personal showdown with Seth “Freakin” Rollins at WWE Clash at the Castle on Sept. 3, Riddle will stand face-to-face with The Visionary on the red brand.
Considering the amount of sheer bedlam created every time the bitter adversaries get in each other’s vicinity, the chances of chaos are quite high
With the United States Title around his waist, Bobby Lashley has cemented his status as The All Mighty with show-stealing defenses against Ciampa and AJ Styles.
After tearing down the house, Lashley and The Phenomenal One joined forces to take on their recent tormentors Ciampa and The Miz, but the meddling A-Lister escaped The All Mighty’s wrath when he was dragged away by Dexter Lumis for a disqualification victory.
Having seemingly escaped the clutches of his would-be captor, The Miz will walk right back into the lion’s den when he squares off with Lashley.
STAMFORD, Conn., July 22, 2022 – Vince McMahon today released the following statement:
“As I approach 77 years old, I feel it’s time for me to retire as Chairman and CEO of WWE. Throughout the years, it’s been a privilege to help WWE bring you joy, inspire you, thrill you, surprise you, and always entertain you. I would like to thank my family for mightily contributing to our success, and I would also like to thank all of our past and present Superstars and employees for their dedication and passion for our brand. Most importantly, I would like to thank our fans for allowing us into your homes every week and being your choice of entertainment. I hold the deepest appreciation and admiration for our generations of fans all over the world who have liked, currently like, and sometimes even love our form of Sports Entertainment.
“Our global audience can take comfort in knowing WWE will continue to entertain you with the same fervor, dedication, and passion as always. I am extremely confident in the continued success of WWE, and I leave our company in the capable hands of an extraordinary group of Superstars, employees, and executives – in particular, both Chairwoman and Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon and Co-CEO Nick Khan. As the majority shareholder, I will continue to support WWE in any way I can. My personal thanks to our community and business partners, shareholders, and Board of Directors for their guidance and support through the years. Then. Now. Forever. Together.”
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World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) boss Vince McMahon, who turned the firm from a regional player to global giant, says he will retire amid a flurry of misconduct claims.
He stepped down from his roles in WWE last month following reports he paid millions to suppress allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity.
Mr McMahon remains WWE’s majority shareholder.
He has led WWE for decades, often appearing as a performer in the ring.
In a statement that did not mention the allegations against him, Mr McMahon said he has the “deepest appreciation and admiration for our generations of fans all over the world”.
“Our global audience can take comfort in knowing WWE will continue to entertain you with the same fervour, dedication, and passion as always,” the 77-year-old said.
“My personal thanks to our community and business partners, shareholders, and Board of Directors for their guidance and support through the years. Then. Now. Forever. Together.”
His daughter Stephanie will serve as interim chairperson and co-CEO.
In June, The Wall Street Journal reported that Mr McMahon had agreed to pay $3m (£2.5m) to a former paralegal who said he sexually harassed her at work.
He reportedly agreed to an upfront payment of $1m, with the rest to be doled out over five years and apparently paid by Mr McMahon personally.
Despite initial reports that he would remain in post as the company’s CEO and chairman, the WWE board announced an investigation after it emerged that he had paid more than $12m to four other women to hide numerous allegations of infidelity. He was replaced as acting CEO and chairperson by his daughter.
The women – all former employees of WWE – signed agreements with Mr McMahon that barred them from discussing their relationships with him in exchange for the payments.
Mr McMahon has overseen the WWE’s growth into a media juggernaut whose content is broadcast in more than 180 countries and 30 languages.
When he purchased the then World Wrestling Federation from his father in 1982, matches took place in small venues and its rare television broadcasts were limited to local US cable channels.
But the organisation underwent a seismic change under his management, with events like WrestleMania, a live event featuring the sport’s top stars, drawing in millions of viewers. In 2021 the company’s revenue exceed $1bn for the first time.
As the sport grew, Mr McMahon leveraged his abrasive and bombastic personality to become one of its most recognisable faces.
He has been at the centre of some of its most famous moments, including being attacked by future US President Donald Trump at a WrestleMania event in 2007, and his feuds with stars like ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan became box office viewing.
