NationStates Jolt Archive

Why is he popular?

He's intrusive, unethical, overbearing, phony and over-hyped. Why do people watch him?

Oh wait, St. Oprah likes him, that must be it. And if she likes him, everyone must. Thinking is not an option.

Damn, I'm feeling petty today. I guess it stems from reading some of the responses on another, not-to-be named thread.

My mother in law watches that tripe... I don't get it. I really, really don't get it. I really don't get it...

It's feel-good psychobabble targeted for a particular audience. It isn't for people that want to solve their problems, but rather feel good about having them. If anyone ever sees a real couple on there instead of a phony stereotypical group of idiots, let me know. I'd like to forwarned of the apocalypse.

Why is he popular?

He's intrusive no more than other talk show hosts.
unethicalhow so?
overbearingno more than other talk show hosts.
phonyI believe he does have a licence to practice. can you prove otherwise?
over-hyped no more than any other talk show host.
Why do people watch him?
because quality tv has been going down hill like a lead balloon tied to sandbags. but that's my opinion. :p

People love to see other people get the beat-down, and Dr. Phil specializes in beating people down in the name of 'telling it like it is.'

My liking for Dr. Phil was broken once when he had on a couple where the husband had been an ass for several years and had a habit of cheating on his wife. He had apologized for this and committed himself to turning things around but the wife, understandably, had trouble moving on. They cam on to the Dr. Phil show for help.

Firstly, they brought on the wife's best friend who absolutely HATED the husband. As you can imagine, her input wasn't very useful. She was nasty, mean-spirited and abrasive. (All of this was directed at the husband, which makes it okay, apparently.)

Now, you could tell the husband was getting frustrated because despite his having changed he was getting -absolutely- no recognition whatsoever. Dr.Phil talked to him as if he'd just come in from a romp with a hooker and all but egged the wife's friend on with her barrages of verbal abuse of him.

You can imagine what happened when the husband spoke up to defend himself.

That's when I realized that Dr. Phil was just another one of those daytime shows Americans watch to feel better about themselves by watching someone else get ripped up.

People love to see other people get the beat-down, and Dr. Phil specializes in beating people down in the name of 'telling it like it is.'

My liking for Dr. Phil was broken once when he had on a couple where the husband had been an ass for several years and had a habit of cheating on his wife. He had apologized for this and committed himself to turning things around but the wife, understandably, had trouble moving on. They cam on to the Dr. Phil show for help.

Firstly, they brought on the wife's best friend who absolutely HATED the husband. As you can imagine, her input wasn't very useful. She was nasty, mean-spirited and abrasive. (All of this was directed at the husband, which makes it okay, apparently.)

Now, you could tell the husband was getting frustrated because despite his having changed he was getting -absolutely- no recognition whatsoever. Dr.Phil talked to him as if he'd just come in from a romp with a hooker and all but egged the wife's friend on with her barrages of verbal abuse of him.

You can imagine what happened when the husband spoke up to defend himself.

That's when I realized that Dr. Phil was just another one of those daytime shows Americans watch to feel better about themselves by watching someone else get ripped up.

Which reminds me of another reason, unless the wife is plainly and obviously in the wrong, the husband seems to take the brunt of the blame, no in-between ground.

Which reminds me of another reason, unless the wife is plainly and obviously in the wrong, the husband seems to take the brunt of the blame, no in-between ground.

None whatsoever. And part of the reason I felt that so acutely is back when I was married the first time, my wife and I went to a marriage counsellor. At one point it came up that my wife wanted to have a 3rd child. I was not in agreement because the place we lived in was too small for the 2 we already had, certainly not large enough for a 3rd.

So the counsellor turned to me and said, "What would it take for you to want another child?" I replied, "Well, we need to get a bigger house." To which she replied: "Why are you putting that ultimatum on your wife???"

WTF???

And that guy on Dr. Phil had exactly the look on his face that I bet I had on mine.

http://localhs.com/scuttle/2006/10/great-school-debate.asp

dr. phil is entertainment, people watch him for the same reasons people listen to dr. laura, they think they are right and the other people are wrong and they want someone to tell the wrong people they suck.

http://localhs.com/scuttle/2006/10/great-school-debate.asp

dr. phil is entertainment, people watch him for the same reasons people listen to dr. laura, they think they are right and the other people are wrong and they want someone to tell the wrong people they suck.

/thread

Who knows. Its probably Oprah's fault.

None whatsoever. And part of the reason I felt that so acutely is back when I was married the first time, my wife and I went to a marriage counsellor. At one point it came up that my wife wanted to have a 3rd child. I was not in agreement because the place we lived in was too small for the 2 we already had, certainly not large enough for a 3rd.

So the counsellor turned to me and said, "What would it take for you to want another child?" I replied, "Well, we need to get a bigger house." To which she replied: "Why are you putting that ultimatum on your wife???"

WTF???

And that guy on Dr. Phil had exactly the look on his face that I bet I had on mine.

Um, wow. Did you even get a chance to explain that you'd need a larger house? I can see how it could be construed as a kind of ultimatum, but if all that happened was you got jumped on without a chance to explain then I think you've stumbled upon a type of marriage counsellor usually only seen in stupid man vs woman movies and shows.

People love to see other people get the beat-down, and Dr. Phil specializes in beating people down in the name of 'telling it like it is.'

My liking for Dr. Phil was broken once when he had on a couple where the husband had been an ass for several years and had a habit of cheating on his wife. He had apologized for this and committed himself to turning things around but the wife, understandably, had trouble moving on. They cam on to the Dr. Phil show for help.

Firstly, they brought on the wife's best friend who absolutely HATED the husband. As you can imagine, her input wasn't very useful. She was nasty, mean-spirited and abrasive. (All of this was directed at the husband, which makes it okay, apparently.)

Now, you could tell the husband was getting frustrated because despite his having changed he was getting -absolutely- no recognition whatsoever. Dr.Phil talked to him as if he'd just come in from a romp with a hooker and all but egged the wife's friend on with her barrages of verbal abuse of him.

You can imagine what happened when the husband spoke up to defend himself.

That's when I realized that Dr. Phil was just another one of those daytime shows Americans watch to feel better about themselves by watching someone else get ripped up.

That's one of the reason I hate Dr. Phil. Unless it is PAINFULLY obvious that the woman is in the wrong, the man will always get the blamed and the audience will jeer and boo at the man. The rest of the male population demand that Dr. Phil turns over his testicals since it's obvious he's been whipped by Oprah.

If you think he's bad, you should see our Jeremy Kyle.

No thanks, already been exposed to Jeremy Clarkson and Top Gear.

If you think he's bad, you should see our Jeremy Kyle.

Hes an overbearing douchebag, with delusions of grandeur.
Hes not an actual doctor, he only pretends to be, and his "advice" probably does more harm than good, considering he gives uneducated "therapy".

Hes an overbearing douchebag, with delusions of grandeur.
Hes not an actual doctor, he only pretends to be, and his "advice" probably does more harm than good, considering he gives uneducated "therapy".

Is that true? That he's unlicensed? I remember hearing about it but never saw any actual proof.

Not that I would be surprised, mind you, but still.

Hey! Top Gear is absolute quality.

Sorry, but when a show can be accurately called "Jackass with cars" my opinion tends to sour.

But, to each their own, and all that.

No thanks, already been exposed to Jeremy Clarkson and Top Gear.

Hey! Top Gear is absolute quality.

Is that true? That he's unlicensed? I remember hearing about it but never saw any actual proof.

Not that I would be surprised, mind you, but still.

Yah, hes no more a "doctor" than is his female counterpart "Dr" Laura.

edit:

A quick google search reveals that, yes, he is indeed a doctor of Psychology.
He also has a masters degree in experimental psychology.

Well, hes still a douchebag.

he actually does have a PhD in Psychology or something related, but he's not licensed to provide services because he was boinking one of his patients.

HA! That's even better!

Yah, hes no more a "doctor" than is his female counterpart "Dr" Laura.

he actually does have a PhD in Psychology or something related, but he's not licensed to provide services because he was boinking one of his patients.

he actually does have a PhD in Psychology or something related, but he's not licensed to provide services because he was boinking one of his patients.

Edited and corrected above.

However, I LOVE the little tidbit you provided!

Wewt for Smunk, with the insider tip!

That's a retarded thing to call it.

Too bad it's not my words, hence the quotes. BBC America trots that line out like it's a good thing.

(Jackass being a popular show here at one point in time)

Sorry, but when a show can be accurately called "Jackass with cars" my opinion tends to sour.


That's a retarded thing to call it.

I never liked him. He always come across as the kind of guy who'll tell you that the reason why your wedding got rained out is because you did it that way. The fact that other reasons- outside of the afflicted's control- might actually cause the problem doesn't ever seem to occur to him- it's always "the sufferer's fault".

Might make good entertainment, sure, but I doubt Dr. Phil McGraw actually helps anyone with his methods.

Is that true? That he's unlicensed? I remember hearing about it but never saw any actual proof.

Not that I would be surprised, mind you, but still.

"I'm not even a psychiatrist...I'm an electrician. Sorry I let you down."- Phil McGraw, "Scary Movie 4"

Has to have some truth, right? :p

The same reason GW Bush got elected; He's folksy and uses stupid sayings and phrases to get his point across.

Too bad it's not my words, hence the quotes. BBC America trots that line out like it's a good thing.

(Jackass being a popular show here at one point in time)

Hmm, well BBC America is pretty bad from what I hear.

Why is he popular?

He's intrusive, unethical, overbearing, phony and over-hyped. Why do people watch him?

Oh wait, St. Oprah likes him, that must be it. And if she likes him, everyone must. Thinking is not an option.

Damn, I'm feeling petty today. I guess it stems from reading some of the responses on another, not-to-be named thread.

Once upon a time, David Letterman occasionally showed brief "snippets" of Dr. Phil (usually lasting not longer than maybe 2 seconds, if that long) taken totally out of context, and it was hilarious!

I wish Dave would start doing that again.

The same reason GW Bush got elected; He's folksy and uses stupid sayings and phrases to get his point across.

"You're working hard to put food on your family."

"They misunderestimated me."

"You can't take the high horse and then claim the low road."

"The illiteracy level of our children are appalling." Surely it aren't THAT bad, Mr. President!

"Rarely is the question asked: Our...IS our children learning?" I certainly hope they is. ROFL

"Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream."

"We need to make the pie higher."

LMAO :D

he actually does have a PhD in Psychology or something related, but he's not licensed to provide services because he was boinking one of his patients.
This was proven?

This was proven?

eh, how do you ever really prove something like that. Mostly she said it was inappropriate, and he said it wasn't and they board gave him steps to regain his license and he didn't want to do it. Around here it's pretty much taken as fact.

eh, how do you ever really prove something like that. Mostly she said it was inappropriate, and he said it wasn't and they board gave him steps to regain his license and he didn't want to do it. Around here it's pretty much taken as fact.

I think the inappropriate relationship was that he gave a client a job in his office thus being both "Doctor" and "Boss". Something he did admit to. but not sleeping with his client.

did a client come forward saying (s)he slept with him?

It's feel-good psychobabble targeted for a particular audience. It isn't for people that want to solve their problems, but rather feel good about having them. If anyone ever sees a real couple on there instead of a phony stereotypical group of idiots, let me know. I'd like to forwarned of the apocalypse.

Do you mean emos? :p

Do you mean emos? :p

I guess that's one way to put it. ;)

I think the inappropriate relationship was that he gave a client a job in his office thus being both "Doctor" and "Boss". Something he did admit to. but not sleeping with his client.

did a client come forward saying (s)he slept with him?

she was quoted in the papers etc. at the time as saying the relationship was "sexually inappropriate".

It's feel-good psychobabble targeted for a particular audience. It isn't for people that want to solve their problems, but rather feel good about having them. If anyone ever sees a real couple on there instead of a phony stereotypical group of idiots, let me know. I'd like to forwarned of the apocalypse.

I think it's for people who want to feel good about not having those problems.

It's like Jerry Springer for people who don't want to wake up their napping toddlers.

he actually does have a PhD in Psychology or something related, but he's not licensed to provide services because he was boinking one of his patients.

He is/was a clinical social worker. But then again, so is my wife's therapist.

I think it's for people who want to feel good about not having those problems.

That's why it's fun to read the "Dear Abbey" style columns in the newspaper. ;)

It's like Jerry Springer for people who don't want to wake up their napping toddlers.

I thought it was more like Jerry Springer for rich people. :)

Do you mean emos? :p

How do you feel good about feeling sad?
That just seems urrgh *crosses eyes*.

I think it's for people who want to feel good about not having those problems.

It's like Jerry Springer for people who don't want to wake up their napping toddlers.

Couldn't the same be said for all shows of this stripe?

How do you feel good about feeling sad?
That just seems urrgh *crosses eyes*.

I'm sad, but that's ok, so I feel good. But now I feel good about not feeling good, which makes me sad, but that's ok. But....*system error**head asplodes*

she was quoted in the papers etc. at the time as saying the relationship was "sexually inappropriate".

ah, thnxs.

Somebody told me that he is not a real doctor since his license expired or something like that...

Somebody told me that he is not a real doctor since his license expired or something like that...

his license was revoked.

Somebody told me that he is not a real doctor since his license expired or something like that...

He has his PhD, so he's a real doctor for what that's worth, but he doesn't have a license to practice.

Dr. Phil is a hack because he actively attempts to destroy families.

There was one episode featuring spouses who spy on their family. He brought on a wife who does it to her husband, a husband who does it to his wife, and a mother who does it to her kids.

For the first two, he went on and on about how the behaviour was unacceptable, disruptive and hurtful to the relationship and if it didn't stop, it would end in heartbreak, anger, and a failed family unit.

When the mother came on, he did nothing but praise her and tell her she was doing a good thing, and that she is right to be irrationally suspicious of her kids and follow them around to make sure they don't so anything bad. He also said she had every right to search her kids rooms for no reason, and spend hours putting together torn up notes found in trash cans.

Then, to top it off, he had the gall to tell her he was going to teach her new tricks to spy on her kids to make sure she didn't get caught.

The hypocracy was so thick you could cut with a knife, and yet he said it with a shit eating grin on his redneck face, a Phd in one hand and a pile of unwarranted self-importance in the other.

That is why I hate Dr. Phil.

Dr. Phil is a hack because he actively attempts to destroy families.

There was one episode featuring spouses who spy on their family. He brought on a wife who does it to her husband, a husband who does it to his wife, and a mother who does it to her kids.

For the first two, he went on and on about how the behaviour was unacceptable, disruptive and hurtful to the relationship and if it didn't stop, it would end in heartbreak, anger, and a failed family unit.

When the mother came on, he did nothing but praise her and tell her she was doing a good thing, and that she is right to be irrationally suspicious of her kids and follow them around to make sure they don't so anything bad. He also said she had every right to search her kids rooms for no reason, and spend hours putting together torn up notes found in trash cans.

Then, to top it off, he had the gall to tell her he was going to teach her new tricks to spy on her kids to make sure she didn't get caught.

The hypocracy was so thick you could cut with a knife, and yet he said it with a shit eating grin on his redneck face, a Phd in one hand and a pile of unwarranted self-importance in the other.

That is why I hate Dr. Phil.

ya know, i think thats why i LIKE dr phil. and dr laura for that matter.

their shows invite you to think about how people should live their lives, how their behavior might have negative impacts on themselves and their families, how things that seem like a good idea in one light might be not so good an idea if viewed differently. (not that i see dr phil or listen to dr laura particulary often--a few times a year at best)

but they both give good advice only about half the time. the rest of the time they are screamingly wrong.

this gives the viewer/listener the feeling of superiority because they know better than the purported expert who is running the show.

i guess i like that feeling of superiority.

In case nobody has posted it yet:

Dr. Phail.

That is all.

When the mother came on, he did nothing but praise her and tell her she was doing a good thing, and that she is right to be irrationally suspicious of her kids and follow them around to make sure they don't so anything bad. He also said she had every right to search her kids rooms for no reason, and spend hours putting together torn up notes found in trash cans.

It's a (slightly) different context in that it's dealing with parental supervision of kids (something that isn't entirely unacceptable) instead of conflicting with the trust one should have among equals (as should be the case in any amorous relationship), but it's still not something I agree with. Continually watching over children and stopping them from entering into something "unacceptable" is just going to teach children to become rebellious, especially when they develop their reasoning skills. Explaining why something is wrong and coming to an understanding is much better than "just saying no" as people respond better to reason than just forceful projections. Not to say heavy-handedness doesn't have it's place- sometimes a parent just "has to"- but as the only approach it's doomed to failure.

Not only that, but it's better to build trust than to constantly assume your child is a troublemaker- if you can't trust them then how are they ever going to trust you (and your judgement)?