The one sister wouldn't date white men wasn't so bad. Sure, she has some issues if she is bringing hundreds of years of oppression into her romantic life, but she does have the right to feel that way and date according to her preference.

It was the other sister, the one who shaved her head to be free of the stereotypes, that ticked me off. Both of them wore their education like a suit of armor (if I heard "I'm a smart, educated African-American woman" one more time, I would have lost it), so it doesn't surprise me that the one has issues with men.

The other one thinks that white men are better, but she just found one that is probably henpecked.

This was an interesting topic, but DP paid short shrift by not making it it's own subject. Following the woman who was basically superficial was a disservice.

It is certainly her perogative to date whoever she wants. It is her reason for not dating white men I have trouble with. She is "suspicious of white men". If I went around saying I was suspicious of black people, what would you call me??

MyraA, I stand corrected. I didn't see the whole show, and I didn't remember her saying that from the earlier showing. Those are some sweeping statements, and I can see how they can be perceived as racist. However, in her defense, let me add my personal perspective.

When I was single, I often got hit on by White men. Unfortunately, many of those times, they made it clear that they were interested in getting with a Black woman, not just getting to know a woman. One guy even said that he had always fantasized about making love to a Black woman, and he'd love for it to be me. Like I was supposed to be flattered by this! The one White guy I did like was someone I met on a summer job. We became work friends, and sometimes ate together. I think he wanted to ask me out, but we were both shy. And the few times we ate lunch together, people stared at us like we were in a freak show. I think it put both of us off. And this wasn't that many years ago.

I'm just saying that it can get very complicated. Slavery was only 140 years ago, and anyone who is over 30 years old has parents or grandparents who grew up in very openly racist times. That stuff still reverberates through our lives.

Also, Black women have had to fight this image of being red hot sex machines, ready to do it at any time. When you add that to the fact that not so long ago, Black women in this country were property and often the unwilling sex partners with their White owners, it does make it difficult for many of us to forget the ghosts of our recent and often sordid history with White men. I remember a show some years back where women were talking about their experiences with rape. A Black woman related a story of how she was raped when she was younger. When the police arrived at her house and saw who had made the call, one of the White officers laughed derisively and said, "Niggers can't be raped." They left without taking a report, and I think the incident took place in the 1960s or 70s.

However, I can imagine how the statements of the woman on Dr. Phil's sounded to someone without the same perspective. And you're right, if a White person came on the show and said they were suspicious of Black people, unless there was some context that I could understand, I'd perceive it as racist, too.

I was very disapointed with DP today with how he delt with the racist guests/people in the audience. When he let that woman go on that "educated" rant about how things were without trying to interject another point of view, I was shocked.

I've never seen people internalize and generalize their (LIMITED) experiences so greatly in my entire life. I wish DP would have delt with that instead of letting everyone argue about the stupid little details. The entire debate could be boiled down to "I'm right", "no, you're not, I'm right", "no, I really think - as an educated, black woman - that I'm right". What did we learn watching this? I learned nothing, really. Except perhaps the amazing ability some people have to take themselves far too seriously.

I would have liked DP to delve into the apparent fear and neurosis displayed by these people. A person's preference about who to date and marry is one thing, wearing your education/race as a badge of honour, letting it define you completely is something else entirely.

Did the lawyer sister actually say that being gay was a choice ("and it IS a choice") or did I hear it wrong? I was in the other room when she said it, so I could be mistaken...

blocked writer, hee to my circulatory-ness. Yeah I tend to make very little sense when trying to explain what I mean. What I meant was, you can be not politically correct to a degree without being offensive to others. Everyone these days is so concerned with using proper terms for others and its a little nauseating, but I think common sense tells us what is respectful to others and what is not. Of course, everyone's personal experiences and histories are going to influence the way they see others, not just in race. It's really a shame some people are just plain hateful.

And yes, she sure did say gay was a choice and stressed it specifically. Is she trying to egg people on?

Excellent post, blocked writer!

I have to say, I really didn't find the two African-American sisters to be racist. I thought they spoke honestly and candidly about their experiences. I completely respect the younger sister's decision; I also don't think you can compare a white woman stating that she won't date black men with a black woman stating she won't date white men. I don't believe AA women reject white male partners because they feel "superior" to them; I think they choose black men over white men because of shared life experiences and shared identity. I also think blocked writer gave us some excellent examples of why white men may be a turn-off to black women. I would also like to add, I do not think it would be racist if a white woman only considered white men as marriage partners.

I think many white men do stereotype women of color- whether it is Asian, Latino, or African-American. As a white woman, I have heard many white men rhapsodize on a "hot Latina", describing her in the most base cliches. Of course, he sees this description as flattering, not degrading. Don't even get me started regarding the way some white men view Asian women.

Actually, what I found most offensive was when the older sister emphasized that homosexuality was a choice. I really don't know what she was trying to accomplish by stating this as a fact. I did like her husband; I liked how he stuck up for her.

Thank you, peas n carrots (love that screen name), for adding this perspective as a White woman to the discussion. I do think the woman who didn't want to date White men could have chosen her words more carefully. I might have been better if she said that she just felt more comfortable with Black men. But since it was a discussion of how her sister was pressuring her to open herself up to the possibility of dating and/or marrying a White man, she felt it was necessary to detail why she didn't want to do so.

I must add that many Black women feel the way she does, and most of them don't mean it in a racist manner. It's more a reaction to racism they've experienced all their lives. Also, there are repecussions within the Black community. As dramatic as it may seem, some AA people are sometimes considered as disloyal for dating outside the race.

This attitude is changing, but for anyone who is older than 30, older family members often warned to stay away from White men as a defensive move. These older family members vividly recall the days when, especially in some small southern towns in the 1940s and 50s, where the rape of black women was commonplace, and the authorities did nothing about it. After living through those circumstances, some of these parents and grandparents did indeed disapprove of their children (especially daughters) later willingly getting involved with White men.
When you add this background to her own personal experiences with race, the woman's comment "I kind of feel like it would be a betrayal to be with a White male," isn't as ridiculous and overblown as it may first appear.

For the women I know who share this viewpoint, they don't necessarily mean it as a racist slur against White men, but as a common sense approach to dealing with the world. I don't personally define myself simply by my race. However, even in 2004, as a Black woman, I'm constantly reminded in big and small ways of my race. And I'm sure many other people of color also experience this. This is not to say Black people can't be racist, some are. I'm just as offended when I hear a Black person say all Whites are this way or that way, when it's clear that one cannot judge any group as a whole. But I can say that I never wanted to find myself involved with a White man, only to find out later that he only wanted to fulfill a fantasy or was only willing to take the relationship to a certain degree just due to the differences in our skin color. And sometimes you can't find out that stuff out until you've been involved for a while.

I think the sister who had a White husband should just shut up and leave her sister alone. Although she's clearly happy with her husband, I think it would make her feel more comfortable in her own choice if her sister did the same. And they both need to get off the education high horse. It's great that they are well educated, and it is true that it is a factor in dating, since some men don't like to date a more educated woman. But they don't need to bang people over the heads with their degrees.

Although Dr. Phil did mention that the one sister had probably offended a lot of people, (this is where I started watching yesterday) I think he may not have pushed the matter of race with the other sister as much because as a southerner, he is well aware of the complicated social/sexual history of Black women and White men.

Well, sorry to rant for so long. I guess I have a lot of thoughts on this subject.

All I can add is this: blocked writer, YOU should have been on the show. (But since you have a thoughtful, rational, informed point of view, you would have had to sit in the audience, of course.)

I think there are repercussions for dating "across racial lines" on both sides of the fence, as a generality. When you speak in specifics, though...you know, like that nice interracial couple Joe and Nancy?, one finds more acceptance than rejection.

Our grandparents would have been horrified. Our parents "would have preferred". Our generation, for the most part, accepts (in that uncomfortable way that we know we're supposed to accept, because we, by god, are freaking enlightened). Our kids' kid's generation may not think twice about it. Or at least one can hope.

Hexele, I think you're right. Many kids coming up today don't think twice about interracial dating, and they don't get as much flack from fellow students, etc. But for many people in their 30s, 40s and 50s, the tangled vines of history and personal experience hold a much stronger sway. And I think the days are mostly gone when a person gets disowned by their family for marrying someone of another color.

I have to add that the sister who was married to the White man was far too judgmental. Even though she found a good guy to marry, she should realize that it may not work out so well for her sister. For her to say that an AA man couldn't appreciate her sister was just ridiculous. And her sister should realize that by having such specific standards, as some of the men in the audience pointed out, she has narrowed the field herself. That's her right, but if she's truly interested in having a man in her life, she should cast a wider net. There aren't multitudes of available men of ANY color that are going to meet a strict set of qualifications. And she needs to lighten up some, because girlfiend looks like she hasn't smiled in about five years. That in itself might be part of her problem.

I fast-forwarded through the "Why I Can't Get a Man" show since I remember it too well from the first time.

As one half of an interracial couple, I was rooting for the woman who wanted her sister to consider dating white men until she had to open her big mouth and say that being gay was a choice. Her attitude was really turning me off and I thought she was spouting stereotypes about black men. How can someone claim to be oh so educated and then show herself to be so ignorant?

Her sister wasn't much better. She is "punishing" white men of today for the actions of people in the past.

I understand that people have preferences when they're picking a future mate and I do appreciate what an impact a common background can have. Had the sister said she wanted to date black men in order to have shared experiences, I would've understood her position even though I think it's a bit limiting.

I think both sisters need to do some serious soul searching and hopefully revise their opinions (and pull the sticks out).

Absolutely. One quarter of my son's 12 person baseball team is interracial (although in my neck of the woods, that usually means eurasian since we have a large east and south asian population and small black population). I would be more surprised if both my kids ended up married to or having children with a white partner than if they both ended up with a partner of a different or mixed race.

Answers: Yes, yes, and not doing so well.

Michael was transferred to a more restrictive environment at HHF after going back to his abusive behavior toward others.

Chandler is indeed Chris's son. The resemblance is very pronounced and there is no doubt in anyone's mind about his parentage.

As for Bohdan, Skanky told Chris before Bohdan was born that the baby was not his. So, whether he was black or white or orange, Chris would not have accepted him. Nothing racist about it.

Poor kid.

To talullahbabe

How do you know that Michael was put in a more restricted environment after becoming abusive again? Do you have some inside information?

Yes, I do. As inside as you can get and not live in their house. Sorry if that sounds evasive but it's all I can say here.

To talullahbabe
Thanks for the reply. What did Stacy and her family think about the whole experience of being on the D Phil show? Are they sorry they did it? Do they feel that the producers twisted things or portrayed them in a bad light? What is their opinion of D Phil? I have to give Stacy credit for being one of the few guests to stand up to D Phil.

I remember one episode where he threatened to dismiss them (I am sure this was done to add some drama and increase the show's ratings) and he complained that he and the producers have done so much for family. Yes but look at how much the family helped their ratings.

talullahbabe, can you share anything else with us?

It wasn't the not accepting Bohdan that made me think Chris is racist. Not wanting to raise the product of your wife's adulterous affair is perfectly understandable. It was the clip of him saying "it bothered me that it was a Black man that she had an affair with." It certainly gives the impression that he thinks his wife was tainted by having an affair with a Black man, moreso than she would have been by having an affair with a White man. Or perhaps he was trying to convey that he was bothered because he buys into stereotypes and was now feeling inadequate in the bedroom because she is comparing him to her former Black lover. In any event, there may be a perfectly non-racist explanation for Chris' comment, but I can't think of it off the top of my head.
I am glad to hear that HHF will continue to comp Michael's tuition. It's too bad that his behavior has regressed, but it sounds like he is getting the help he needs.

I can think of a perfectly non-racist explanation for his comment. Think about the fact that ever since Chris met and married pregnant Stacy, he's been playing "Mr. Nice Guy." He's the guy who will accept things no other man EVER would. Fast forward to 3 affairs later and another pregnant Stacy - oh, by the way, again NOT by Mr. Nice Guy. Chris is probably thinking he can accept and keep this baby like his own. Until...until he finds out the daddy is black. WTH?!?!?! Even Mr. Nice Guy can't pretend they're Mr. & Mrs. Happy Family with Little BLACK Son. Hence the comment. Not angry that the man was black per se, but angry that the fact that he was black means Mr. Nice Guy can't keep the blinders on and play the role.

Just a theory. Thoughts?

Not a bad theory, talkstoomuch. I can totally see what you mean, and I had been on the "why is the Black thing so important?" fence.

Ahhh, Parenting 101. Ever noticed you can make SAT analogies out of the simplicity of logic on the DP show? Weight Loss Challenge is to "Stop eating!" as Parenting 101 is to "Don't make your kids terrified of you!"

I swear, I watch this show to bitch about it with you people.

Well, he is a Mormon after all. I've met more than a few Mormons who are quick to give religious (specific to the Mormon religion) justifications for their views on non-white people. Please note that I'm not saying that all Mormons are racist by any means, or that the religion has inherently racist elements; perhaps someone who knows more about that aspect of the religion, as some of its members view it, can enlighten me here.

Well, the explanation provided by talkstoomuch does make sense, so I'll choose to believe it until proven otherwise. Thanks.

Talullhababe may be able to give a good answer to this one - but I wasn't under the impression that Chris is a Mormon, or at least that he is an active one. Therefore, I'm not sure his views on the child's father being black have anything to do with his religion. I'm also on the side of the theory that it isn't that the father was black that bothered him per se, its that him being black is such a departure from their family and couldn't be nearly as easy to cover up.

I really don't think this is the forum to discuss Mormons and their views on non-white people except to say three things:
1. There are more non-white Mormons than white Mormons in the world. The Mormon church has at least a couple million members in South America.
2. As with any large group of people, every group has its idiots. If someone believes they can explain their racism by using their religion - they are idiots.
3. The Mormon church does have some historical precedent that might lead one to the theory that Mormons are racist. However, that time is long since past and the Mormon church certainly doesn't hold the monopoly on past actions that aren't kosher in today's world. I challenge you to find any major religion that wouldn't look back on a few things and cringe a little. The only "discrimination" I can think of in the church today is that while Mormons are a highly missionary oriented church, missionaries are highly discouraged from baptizing anyone into the church whose life would be a risk if they converted (its happened a couple of times) - but I don't think that's discrimination so much as preservation of life.

I doubt if anything will ever be proven, since Chris made his remark and it was never followed up, by Dr. Shill or anyone else. I think it's pretty irresponsible for Dr. Shill's producers to let one of his guests make what could be construed as a racist remark, and then not address it in the show.

What I recall from the few Mormons I talked to about this - the Mormons who expressed racist views, that is - is that the Book of Nephi (in the Book of Mormon), in part, describes how god cursed the Lamanites (whom were supposedly evil) by blackening their skin. When these evildoers overcome their evil, their skin or the skin of their descendants will turn white or become "pure" again. I don't know if that's meant to be taken literally or if it's an allegory, but I can see how people could easily draw the wrong (as in, illogical) conclusion from that: namely, that persons who have dark skin, have it because god cursed them somewhere or somehow. Or considers them cursed. And until 1978, Black men were not allowed to be priests in the Mormon church. That was one of Joseph Smith's original dictums (dicta?), and you can read about its reversal here.

Important qualification: I'm not saying that some few Mormons would be the only, or the first, members of a religious group to misinterpret or take writings in their holy books out of context, or use text snippets to conveniently justify whatever beliefs they hold, for good or ill. It's just that I've heard this Lamanite/dark-skin-cursed story from more than one Mormon in the past. And I'd love to hear what Chris meant by his remark, but I'm not holding my breath for that.

Edited to add that talonius posted while I was doing so, too. I concur with what you wrote, talonius, but I have to say that I've heard these remarks in the past 10 years, not in times long past. If what I heard were weirdo justifications by some few racist idiots, then so be it; they'll go in the trash bin where they belong. But as I wrote, it's just too bad that we'll never get to hear what Chris meant.

I watched the FUF#1 show today about Alex having her baby and I have a question: Who's the baby (2-3 yo) that Marty(?) is holding at the hospital?

Yeah vailfiregirl, I was wondering the sme thing! She must be someone in their family/close friend circle because she showed up later in some family celebration scene, remember?

Here's to hoping that all our affiliations (religious, ethnic, nationality or otherwise) aren't defined by crazed lunatics, model citizens and beacons of stable family relationships like FUF2. There's nothing worse than having to defend something you believe in because of the actions of ridiculously stupid people like those shown on national tv.

I'll try to close this discussion (because like I said, ain't the place) on Mormons/racists by saying that I was born and raised Mormon and neither me nor any of my friends or family have been taught the whole "dark-skinned = evil" thing. Certainly its come up in an urban myth-like discussion setting (and I can only imagine that there are Mormons out there who believe it - every party has its nutcase), but it isn't doctrine. As for the black men and priesthood issue, its true - its not as cut and dried as it sounds - but its basically true. More importantly, its over. I was never taught or otherwise influenced to believe that black people weren't the same in every respect. I'm guessing Chris is about my age and, if he is Mormon, grew up in a like-minded environment. So I don't think this comment can be "blamed" on his religion.

Question about the ScaryParenting episode of Parenting 101:
Did any of these Scarents get a follow-up show? DrillSargeantDad seemed to be the only one who had any hope of changing. I wouldn't expect EvilStepMonster to change but I'm really curious to see what happened with the Spatula-wielding Tressa...

There was a follow-up show, stinkylulu, but I can't remember everyone on it. I do know the drill sargeant dad did change his ways.

Since the summer hiatus has been relativley snark free over here, I made a little something for y'all over at the TWoP Pixel Challenge.
(scroll down a bit and you'll know it when you see it)

Coffee, that's the best one on there! I LOVE the crown!

OHMIGOD the Kitty MUG!!! Too freakin funny.

BTW, with a side note of screw-you-DP, this article may be of interest. 'Course, DP may spin this to say this is based completely on the big ole Phil-tome 'o knowledge.

Oh good lord... I just saw the faux-nana cream pie Kitty Surprise makes for the McGraw clan. That lumpy topping is just nasty!

In case you missed it, that crazy tap-dancing mom's work-out video was briefly featured on The View today... The segment had the harpies experimenting with "some of the most unusual workout videos on the market." Crazy tap-dancin' mama's webpage mentions DrShill...

I don't know what I'm more frightened by: daView of Joy Behar failing to tap OR the terrifying fact that not only did I think of the tap-dancing-mama in the 3-second spot but I thought I recognized her in the .5second clip they showed in the segment... And I swear I wasn't even watching the show -- ahem -- it was just "on"... (I should really stop...I'm just digging myself deeper...)

ETAvoid double-posting: With Monday's show featuring FauxNana Pie, and Tuesday's show being the SkankyStacy episode where Brianne has a bite of the evil Margarita Pie, here's crossing my digits that we have more pie episodes this week... All Pie Week on PP? Here's hoping...

I think if you're posting the next day, it's not considered double-posting even though yours was the last post in the thread, stinkylulu. I tried looking in the FAQs, but couldn't find it.

Dr. Phil: All Pie, All the Time!™ What's weird is that every time DP shows his diet book, I get the urge to eat a piece of apple pie. Maybe I should change my name to Pavlov'sSnowDog.

I get such a creepy vibe from DP when it comes to Brianne. It's like he's flirting with her and it makes me feel a little bit nauseated.

Totally agree about the creepy vibe towards Breanne, Snowdog. And it cracked me up the other day when Dollar Bill was calling her "America's Sweetheart." Is he deluded enough about his own popularity and power that he truly believes that some thirteen year old who appears on his show a couple of times can rightly be called "America's Sweetheart"?

Oh, I think we know the answer to that. Heh.

Re that faux-nana cream pie: it gave me the shivers, eps. the vanilla yogurt topping. Why not just make the sugar-free pudding, plop it into dishes and put a few sliced bananas on top? Maybe it needed the crust so Robin could have an excuse to eat more sugar-loaded cereal.

Call me shallow but Robin's kitchen bugged me: it seems that folks with these $100,000, overdecorated kitchens always make the lousiest food. And unless she's getting up in the morning to make cooked breakfasts for the boys, I don't see how she can be cooking "3 or 4 times a day" as she said.

If Robin ever went into her designer kitchen to do anything more than grab an Evian from the fridge her staff would die of shock. Robin reminds me of Jane Fonda in her exercise heyday (stay with me) because she tries to sound so down to earth. Ole Jane used to reference washing her windows and scrubbing her floors. No, Jane. You may have played at earthmother, but you aint swabbing linoleum. Robin might like to play in her big girl Susie Homemaker kit but she is so not broiling chops for the menfolk at 6.

And, today, it was Kids Ask Aunt Robin And Uncle Phil To Explain Life Because Their Own Parents Are Too Damn Dense. Uncle Phil: Boy, you wouldn't be spoiled in my house! Nosiree! Heck you Lil Possum's Ass I'd strip your room of luxuries, strip your bed of covers and then if you weren't subservient enough I'd deny you food and water to boot! If you don't believe me, call my BigButt son, the mansion owner. Who you callin' a hypocrite son?

At this point, I turned off the television, preferring the painful squeal of my worn-out treadmill to Robin's clanging hardware voice.

Come on, new season. Gemma is getting bored.

You know? On second viewing, the FUF2..... still sucks.



Sigh...there are no words.

Next season we'll have an obese FUF, right? Oh I hope...

Over-Protected Daughter: When DP, towering over the girl, asked her what she would do to defend herself against someone his height, I was halfway expecting her to punch him in the nuts.

Foster Kid: Yes, I cried. No, I don't know why. Leave me alone!

I have serious issues with the advice Phil gave to over-protected daughter. Did he actually say that he would not "allow" his grown, adult wife to go to a mall by herself? Isn't that, like, how the Taliban feels about women going out in public alone? Granted, I don't have children so I don't know what it's like to worry about a child, but, at age 13, I was allowed to go places in my home town, in the daylight, with my friends. Heck, I had a bus pass and traveled alone via public transportation to after school activities while I was still in elementray school. I enjoyed it. It made me feel mature and competent. Teaching your daughter that danger lurks behind every corner and that she will not be able to handle herself in a difficult situation - it's a recipe for feeling weak and incompetent. The girl did not seem like a problem child - if she had a history of drinking or lying I would have understood the mother's attitude. I also feel like Dr. Phil was saying, in a sense, because you're small you will always have to submit to men. As a 5 foot tall female who was considerably shorter than that at age 13 (ah, the joys of going through puberty late) I have to say that's a complete load of crap. I know Dr. Phil wouldn't approve of my mother because she raised me on her own (gasp! evil!) but she raised me to be street smart, to have common sense, and not to be afraid of anybody. God bless her. (She also set a positive example through her actions - despite being a short, skinny female, she worked as a paramedic in the early 80s when the field was just opening up to women. The job required being able to dead-lift 150 pounds, and I remember accompanying her to the local YMCA where she was the only woman in the "men's" weight room; the experience taught me that you can be strong no matter what your outside package looks like - that, in my opinion, is good mothering)

I have a 13 year-old cousin who is bright, responsible, studies Tae Kwon Do (she could undoubtedly kick Dr. Phil's ass), has completed First Aid classes, and is the daughter everyone dreams of having. Her father is as over-protective as the mother in this show, and this wonderful girl ended up having serious panic attacks and depression and ended up in counseling. I think it was, in part, because her father wouldn't give her room to breathe. The daughter had a point, but Dr. Phil belittled her.
Whew. That felt good to get off my chest.

John, the foster child, rocked my world. I cried too. I hope that he achieves all his goals. I'm glad they brought in Victoria Rowell who actually knows what he's going through instead of having Dr. Phil spout platitudes. Notice how Dr. Phil offered to let the spoiled boy come live with him for a week, but not this nice kid who needed and craved a family.

I hope the spoiled boy felt like a giant ass after hearing John's story.

Did anyone else think that giving the adorable boy with leukemia a ride in the Ferrari actually sent out the message that material goods are the solution to life's problems? Especially right after Phil got on Spoiled Boy's Mom for coveting a Mercedes.

Errrgh that 7-11 comment DP made irritated me too. I know he probably didn't mean it that way, but it sounded really stupid. Robin really irritates me.

I don't think they did a good job at all telling the girl that bad things really can happen these days and that while you shouldn't shut yourself in all paranoid, you should be realistic and aware. I like how she seemed like a confident girl as said above, but I really got the feeling she thought she was indestructible as most kids her age do.

I totally understand the mom though, I lost my dog once (never did find him....) and I was in a total panic from the moment I realized he was gone and for a long time after. Not comparing kids and pets, but if I freaked out that much about a dog, I can't imagine how I would feel if I thought I lost my child like she did. I don't like how DP made her feel stupid though, what an ass.

Spoiled kid made me tear out my hair. Why are these parents on the show complaining when its very very obvious they are the problem? ShutUP stupid parents!

Hi ShaggyDiva, I wish someone like you could go on the Dr Phil show, probably would never be allowed with you making so much sence and all.
I hope your Mom gets to read what you posted so she could see what an amazing example she has set.
My son has grown up but when he was little I had two sons but I lost one when he was five. Having a child die is the absolute worst horror and beleive me I had to really watch being over protective of my other son. But I had to do what was best for him and I have been very lucky in how he has turned out.

Dr. Phil never emphasizes parents actually getting to know their kids. I mean, the spoiled brat who packs his things needed to be told no. And be forced to deal with rejection sometimes.

I think the girl who has the smother really had a point. I know when I was her age (and I'm a guy) my mom would basically let me do anything I wanted. Because she knew I had my own boundaries and things that I wouldn't let myself do. If the child is only concerned about what you might say about it, she's just going to just learn to hide it better. Keep the girl out of the Girls Gone Wild videos! Dr. Phil is unabashedly a parent-rooter. I wish adults would realize that most of the freaks, prostitutes, wife beaters, and child molesters were made to feel powerless in their childhood. So all this siding with the parents stuff is hurting more than it's helping.

Also, I hate when people ask a non-yes-or-no question and expect you to still answer yes or no. Hey Phil? Would you ever divorce Robin? Yea. That's what I thought.

Here is an interesting article about D Phil.
http://www.mediabistro.com/articles/cache/a1938.asp

I read the book by Sophia Dembling called "The Making of Dr. Phil: The Straight-Talking True Story of Everyone's Favorite Therapist". It was a good read. It was very interesting.

I am curious about the labels given to the members such as "video archivist" , "channel surfer" "fanatic-how does one get put into the various groups?

It's here in the FAQs, MyraA.

I'm glad you said that, ShaggyDiva. That's what happenned to me - only I had to grow up with an overprotective grandmother. I used to make excuses to my friends why I couldn't go out with them, because it was always such a hassle to get my grandmother to consent to it. I once spent over an hour trying to be allowed to go see a movie with 2 girls she'd known for years. Eventually I completely withdrew and started in with the depression and anxiety. I'm off to college in the fall, determined to turn it all around, no matter how I'm lacking in social skills.

Dr. Phil's problem is a matter of seeing things in completely black and white terms...not a good plan for someone who masquerades as a therapist. You're either with King Lord God Phil or you're against him, and if it's the latter, you better turn right around and agree or get the hell off his show. There's nothing about situation. It's all about Phil.

But did anyone really expect different? It's just sad that people watch this show for reasons other than mockery.

To Stinkylulu, yes that was the "crazy tap mom" on the View.