'Dr. Phil' will dispense advice through 2014

‘Dr. Phil' will dispense advice through 2014

Phillip Calvin McGraw, better known as "Dr. Phil," is sure to be smiling since his syndicated daytime talk show entitled "Dr. Phil," has been renewed through the 2013-2014 season in 20 of the top 25 markets and in 70% of the U.S.

According to an article on HollywoodReporter.com, "The three-year renewal will take ‘Dr. Phil,' now in its eighth year, through its 12th season. The strip starring Phil McGraw was reupped by stations from the CBS TV group, Gannett Broadcasting, Belo, Media General, LIN Television, Sinclair, Dispatch Broadcasting, Cox, Midwest Broadcasting among others.'"

Harpo Productions, the production company founded by award winning talk show host Oprah Winfrey, created "Dr. Phil." The hourlong program is produced by Peteski Productions in association with CBS TV Distribution.

"Dr. Phil" premiered in September of 2002 and has ranked second behind amidst the bevy of other daytime talk shows including "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

The series has McGraw supplying counsel to his guests on a variety of topics in the form of what he calls "life strategies," which he has gleaned from his experiences as a clinical psychologist.

Unfortunately, McGraw has recently been the focus of two lawsuits that were filed by former guests on the show citing that McGraw exhibited inappropriate behavior.

McGraw first came on the Hollywood radar thanks to his frequent appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in the late 1990s.

As for his personal life, McGraw has been married to Robin Jo Jameson since 1976 and they have two sons, Jay, who was born in 1979 and Jordan, who was born in 1986.