Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

‘Dr. Phil’ Is Ending After Years of Scandals. ‘Good Riddance,’ Critics Say.
Yahoo ^ | February 1, 2023 | Helen Holmes

Posted on 02/03/2023 7:28:38 AM PST by Morgana

After 21 seasons of sensational programming focused on everything from delinquent offspring to rampant substance abuse to extramarital affairs, Dr. Phil, the hit daytime talk show led by Dr. Phil McGraw, will end after its current season per the host’s choice, Variety reported Tuesday.

It’s the end of an era for the authoritative, Southern-accented TV star, who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology but is not a licensed therapist. For years, the show lured droves of audiences (and continues to average 2 million viewers per episode) with McGraw’s pointed interviews with troubled guests, which could be as hilarious as they were harrowing, despite the fact that the show is itself a consistent magnet for lawsuits, scandals, and criticism. Off-screen storms

One of the host’s early controversies involved Britney Spears during the peak of her mid-aughts mental health struggles; in January 2008, McGraw was permitted to visit her while she was being hospitalized for a mental breakdown. He later made public statements about the visit that alienated Spears’ family and left them chastising McGraw for betraying their trust. In response to criticism that he was trying to insert himself into the story purely for entertainment value, McGraw canceled a planned episode of Dr. Phil about Spears’ situation.

More recently, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, McGraw caught flack for questioning the need for social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus.

“The fact of the matter is we have people dying, 45,000 people a year die from automobile accidents, 480,000 from cigarettes, 360,000 a year from swimming pools, but we don’t shut the country down for that,” McGraw had said on Laura Ingraham’s The Ingraham Angle. “But yet we are doing it for this and the fallout is going to last for years because people’s lives are being destroyed.”

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 02/03/2023 7:28:38 AM PST by Morgana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Morgana

I fail to see the scandals. And no, I am not a Dr. Phil watcher/fan.


2 posted on 02/03/2023 7:31:39 AM PST by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

Here’s to the door hitting him on the way out.


3 posted on 02/03/2023 7:35:36 AM PST by bgill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

“who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology but is not a licensed therapist.“

A phd in clinical psychology far outweighs a licensed counselor. She just didn’t like the blunt statements he made to idiots. Sounds like she’s mos in the touchy freely camp. I wish him a happy retirement.


4 posted on 02/03/2023 7:45:42 AM PST by DesertRhino (Dogs are called man's best friend. Moslems hate dogs. Add it up..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FreedomPoster

Not really a watcher either, but some of subjects/guests are interesting.

I believe the Producers’ formula for this show is: purposely have seriously dysfunctional people and extreme cases on his show, so his analysis of their problem and his solution are set clearly in contrast. The audience agrees. He seems wise by comparison.


5 posted on 02/03/2023 7:47:32 AM PST by PGR88 (, )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

Estimated net worth, $450 million. See ya suckers…


6 posted on 02/03/2023 7:55:20 AM PST by EEGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Morgana
Mad TV did a hilarious sketch of Dr. Phil. "Darling there's a sayin where I come from: I'm not really a doctor" and "Darling get used to it,that's how fat people feel."
7 posted on 02/03/2023 8:04:25 AM PST by 4yearlurker (Arise and shine,and give God the glory!-A trail cook's morning call.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PGR88

Sounds about right, from what little I’ve seen of him.

He’s also sort of traditional-conservative, which would make a media person like this writer of this piece dislike him.


8 posted on 02/03/2023 8:13:34 AM PST by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

Way away off in the swimming pool deaths (maybe it’s a typo!) it’s more like 4K per year.


9 posted on 02/03/2023 8:22:32 AM PST by Reily
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 4yearlurker

Lol- bob Newhart did a scene where he played a psychiatrist- here is a link- it ws as pretty funny

https://www.mindingtherapy.com/bob-newhart-brief-therapist/


10 posted on 02/03/2023 8:35:13 AM PST by Bob434
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: EEGator

“$450 million”

Really? Wow, that’s definitely f/u money. But, I’da been outta there at the $200 million mark...with more years to enjoy that retirement $$$.


11 posted on 02/03/2023 9:26:36 AM PST by moovova ("The NEXT election is the most important election of our lifetimes!“ LOL...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: moovova

I don’t know how accurate these guesses are, but either way plenty for his retirement.
He’s 72 y/o.

Same as you, I’d have been out earlier...


12 posted on 02/03/2023 9:32:05 AM PST by EEGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkmOnEFCyI0

The infamous Dr. Phil Cash and the me outside girl segment


13 posted on 02/03/2023 11:04:06 AM PST by desertsolitaire (Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: desertsolitaire

Cash Me Outside girl


14 posted on 02/03/2023 11:04:33 AM PST by desertsolitaire (Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: DesertRhino

Neither is credible. Psychology is an absolutely bogus field, tantamount to faith healing (Benny Hinn style) or witch doctor. He’s a quack and a fraud and can’t even prescribe psych meds. As an academic discipline, psychology is gravy. Any fool can pass.


15 posted on 02/03/2023 1:17:22 PM PST by LouAvul (Daniel 4:17: "..the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.." )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: LouAvul

I do agree about psychology. But Phil was pretty decent with his advice. But it was the just advice that in the past was called being a “Dutch Uncle”.


16 posted on 02/03/2023 3:01:11 PM PST by DesertRhino (Dogs are called man's best friend. Moslems hate dogs. Add it up..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

The studios presented his show as civilized.

So many of them were aimed at foolish, vain, and silly women.

Sigh.

And the tactic worked; that’s what made it so bad.


17 posted on 02/03/2023 4:03:48 PM PST by Notthereyet (NotThereYet. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson