Loudfan, I read your list of upcoming shows on D Phil and I thought you were joking and you must have made up these topics. I then checked the D Phil website
http://www.drphil.com/show/boths.jhtml and I discovered it was actually true. The show is going downhill fast! I cannot believe some of the topics!!

Thanks talullahbabe for your update about the 2nd D Phil family. Please write again, I look forward to your updates and I thank you again for taking the time to write to us.

MyraA, if I were making up topics, I would have come up with stuff along the lines of, "Botox: Will It Make YOU Look Younger... Or Just Perpetually Surprised?," "Buying a Mansion For Your Child: How To Get The Best Deal," "Should You Let Your Wife Walk Alone To the 7-11?," "Is There A Famewhore In Your Family?," "Finding A Ghostwriter To Pen Your Best-Selling Books," and "Sucking Up to the Rich and Famous: How It Can Put You On the Path to Success!" Those topics may hit a little too close to home, though.

Don't forget "Fun New Ways to Ruin Dessert For Everyone."

I for SURE thought that one was a joke!

I'm surprised to imagine that Meredith Brooks has a fan, let alone enough fans that one would feasibly be a bigger fan than the others.

Wait a minute, maybe he actually means biggest as in size. He's just trying another way to get an overweight person on the show so that he can force them to eat his power bars and cry on camera.

Y'all are joking??!! Those show topics are for real? Oh how very. very. very. sad. So how long before Oprah cuts ties with this guy? I'm guessing they do this next season before some change is made. Just the news of Jay-bronee's new show was unbelievable enough.... but WHY stop there?

Are we all thinking of the same Meredith Brooks? Was she the one who had the one hit at the end of last century?

Why do I get the feeling by this time next year, this past season with the FUFs will look like scheduling genius on this show? So I'm predicting we get to the maternity/paternity test shows BEFORE the holidays. uuuugggghhhhh....

Hey, I wanna talk about the relationship rescue retreat today. The couples. Oh my.

Rene? What. an. ASSHOLE. He is the monarch of the asshaberdashery. Wow. When Phil had the husbands tell their wives what they needed he said "I need you to take care of me in the bedroom. I want more sex. I hope you can retain this in your head so you can use it later." Ugh. Seriously wanted to punch him in the face. Gelsy should get away from him as fast as she can.

And I don't know their names but the guy who cheated and his tall, blonde wife? I could get past how much shorter he was than her....but he had such a small head compared to hers! It was so bizarre! I couldn't get past their discrepencies in head size to listen to their problems. But it sounded fun...what with her posing on the internet in a bikini and him "porning" all the time on the computer.

And why the hell was Robin a small group leader? Bug bug bug.

Okay, I googled Meredith Brooks and I still don't know who she is. Nor do I care.

This may be the lowest apex in shark jumping we've ever witnessed. And I include The Casino.

Oprah? She's plugging her trainer, not DP's stuff. And his good friend Maya Angelou? She's "on another line".

Isn't Meredith Brooks the bitch? I mean, that was her hit, right? "I'm a Bitch." I'm a woman, I'm a mother...blah, blah, bitchcakes.

I really liked and respected DrPhil when he was telling it like it was on Oprah and the beginning of his own show. Now...there are no words.

Tall blond witch/tiny little man...He put speakers in his little white corvette and drove around where Jon Bon Jovi might see him. Yeah, that's what she said just about.

Rene is an asshole. But he admitted that was the role model his father provided: women are here to serve men and men are better than them. Not that that's an excuse, but it is hard to admit your entire life view is wrong.

I thought he was advertising for Gwendolyn Brooks's biggest fan and got all excited.

I wish I had FUF#1's email addresses. I miss them and their mushie-mad faces and their crying and their dramatic revelations. Nothing has come close to Lil Katherine's pronouncement that she was hereby offering herself up for adoption. Wish they had called her bluff and yelled,"Meet your new family!" and trooped out three generations of hog farmers who promise to accept Katherine and show her the fine art of slaughtering and smoking. "Aint no mall for sixty eight miles, hon."

I wish Marty had clamped his jaw around the shiny knob of Phil's head when he was staring him down. Going to get violent, Marty, then take it out on Phil. Take it all out on Phil.

I wish Erin had left Marty and his angry boy-hungry spawn cooling their heels at the LA airport and absconded with little Nathan. I think, away from the fruits and nuts with whom she's quartered, Erin could be alright. Truly. She's realized the error of her hairdo, now all she has to do is learn to live single and get those two girls so busy they don't have time to party, get pregnant, or offer themselves up for adoption on national TV which looks so stupid it was like a script from My Three Sons. Dodi wants to get adopted, Steve! She thinks we and Ernie and Chip are ignoring her!

Again, I wish I had their email. Be like prodding hornets.

Oh yes, asshole Rene! Yeah, your wife is SO going to want to give you more sex after you insult her intelligence on national TV. I'm just amazed at what people say to their spouses sometimes.

And that's the most important thing that Rene thinks is wrong with his marriage: he ain't gettin' enough. Right.

I sit and wonder why those people thought it was a good idea to get married.

"Gee, you're a total prick and an ass... I luuuuuuuuuuuurve you!"

Gag.

Sorry if this has already been mentioned: Seems that "Dr." P has another suit going on...Advocate Sues Dr. Phil

Very interesting reading.... especially how you can't get into the show.... or at least you have to promise to keep the pie-hole shut and not disturb great minds at work.
That just begs the question.... HOW do they find so many perfect people to fill the studio??

Oprah must be SO PROUD!!

Heh. I just read that before coming here, Shill is a dope. Every time I hear about the practices on his show I just shake my head about what once was. I saw Shill's large mug about 4 different times at the grocery store and on the way yesterday. His nasty milk mustache was plastered on a billboard and it made me want to hurl.

Alex's head shake/Erin hold/grimace never ever gets old. Hilarious.

Wow, that woman with the online 'fiance' really was delusional, wasn't she? How could she be strung along for five years with that kind of garbage? Her family was so happy that Shill investigated the loser.

That was bizarre.... I remember seeing that episode before.
Bless her heart. She was SO lost and delusional.
What struck me as interesting was that her parents had not thought to hire a private investigator before this point.
FIVE YEARS and your kid is still in love with an imaginary cyber-guy???
Someone needed to end that nightmare... good thing DrP's folks could use another bizarre-o storyline.....

They may had tried, but I bet the daughter freaked and threatened God-knows-what. Since Shill was a third party, she'd be more open to seeing the truth from him. If this came from someone her parents hired, she likely wouldn't believe it and push them away even further.

I think the Internet Guy episode is my all-time favorite.

I just want to say how deeply hurt and saddened that the spouses didn't slap each other on Wednesday. THEY SHOULD HAVE SLAPPED EACH OTHER. TO SEE THE PAIN ON EACH OTHERS FACES!!!!!!

Ugh! So frustrating!

I really felt for the internet chick because I had a somewhat similar situation. I was dating someone online for 4 years before we broke it off (but I did meet him in person!) During her segment, I couldn't help but think I was so close to being as dopey as she was about it.

I thought it was sad that lady was considering plastic surgery just because she couldn't find a relationship. She was so beautiful.

I think we can blame the presence of TV cameras for that. Somehow, I suspect that if it had been a more private situation, at least some of those folks would have been slappin' away.

At the time the show originally aired, quite a few of us were a little disappointed at the lack of action, especially considering how HYPED the slapping session had been! Talk about anticlimactic.

I seriously think the same thing. I mean, I understand a lot of people have problems in marriages but when it turns completely into a love/hate relationship, you start to think why did they marry each other in the first place. I know it's not PC to question someone's marriage in this country, but I think in doing that you'll get to the true reason they're lives are going the way they're going.

WORD! You know it's one thing if a couple of miserables want to feed each other's psych disorders... knock yourselves out! .... Just don't reproduce, for the love of pete! Just as with those couples, and the other dandy's DrP's folks dig up, there are sure enough kids back home having to live with the freak show 24/7.
My heart goes out to the impressionable kids and the ways they are having to come up with coping. Not to mention the fact that it's now public knowledge... and knowing the DrP $$-machine... will live on in dvd form.

Nice to see Jay-bronee didn't mind ending his work with teens at the drop of a hat if it meant getting his own show!! That is SUCH an important group to work with and, if nothing else, he was getting across to some... but then he sells out in a heartbeat. So what DOES he show them... go for the big $$!!
What a bum.....

Ha! Troy is so pathetic! He didn't like the way people judged him so he has to pretend to be someone else to defend himself. What a loser.

And DP's advice really bugged me. Going to bed without blowing out the candles isn't a big deal? Well yeah... until the freaking house burns down!

You know, that's a good point. We wonder why kids are so off-the-cuff angry and weird and hormonal all the time, well, its because they keep trying to find coping mechanisms that work. I mean, I know puberty brings about hormonal changes and all that, but seriously, by the time you're 16 you're too much of yourself to share it with other people (if that kinda makes sense). Kids are getting burnt out with structure and coping. I think that, especially with girls, parents need to be sure their shit is together before they decide to date, marry, and/or breed. Since there seems to be no status you need to have reached (marriage, financial stability, sanity) to breed.

No kidding, you need a fishing license, a firearm license, a driver's license, but any old shlub can breed. It's extremely frustrating.

I missed today's FUF2 the first time it aired. First... Stacy needs individual therapy. Her alternating-on-a-dime behavior is a definite flag.

BUT... I have to admit, I did get my $'s worth out of today's "advice" about getting past your past. Granted, mine is NOTHING even remotely-kinda-sorta-like these folks, but I heard some things that got my attention.
I do believe THIS is why I started getting into DrP in the beginning. Even if his "advice" was at times curious, there were some crumbs to think about.

Wasn't that a hoot Snowdog? And then to be called out on TV for it? I would have died of shame.

Oh BTW, I'm actually Percolata's neighbor, I just slipped back here to use her PC and nic to tell you all that she is an absolute saint who takes in refugee children by the dozen, keeps a spotless house, is president of her own company, does her own dental work and looks exactly like Catherine Zeta Jones only thinner.

I hope Phill's first new show this fall will update us on some of these situations. I think Troy really wanted out. He was too immature for a committed relationship with anyone. He just needs to stay home with Mommy and Daddy and use his good looks to pick up women from time to time.

This is the first time I've found this thread. I need to ask this--does anyone else out there have an almost pathological hatred of Stacy?? She has me ranting and raving at my TV screen. I loathe her so.

I also hate the way she picks and choses what he wants to follow in her religion. Mormon wives can't work--ok fine, but last time I checked Mormons aren't supposed to curse like fishwives and have 3 affairs and out of wedlock babies. Follow the book Stacy, don't select only the parts you want to hear.

I just want to smack her on her pouty mouth. WHEW!!!!!!! I fell transformed. thank you all...

Can I just say that once Paul works out his relationship with his wife he will officially be one of the hottest guys I've seen in a long while. I dont know why she keeps messing up her life with him and he's so damn hot. Women are stupid.

I'm kidding, of course.

Oh, I definitely do. She's such a hypocrite! "Oh, my religion won't let me use birth control/work/have an abortion. But I can screw around on my husband!"

Percolata, how sad is it that my first thought was, "Gee, it's nice of percolata to let her neighbor use her computer."

How irritating is FUF2?? She's a pushy, confused dominatrix and he's looking for a mommy. First let me say, her total lack of class is proven by going on tv and saying your husband doesn't have the balls to cheat on her. I say.... he ain't got the intestinal fortitude to take the remote control away from her... let alone have an affair. But that's no need to go on tv and say that outloud!!

Chris would be an amazing case in individual therapy too. That guy has more issues (other than the one he shares a marriage certificate with). Something about a guy that crys at the drop of a hat when faced with real life issues. Stacy is that mean girl on the playground that got her kicks making other kids cry.... and Chris was obviously that kid.

And btw.... anyone else notice how both Erin and Stacy picked up on the psych terminology while Marty and Chris perfected the deer in the headlights look?

Dr. Phil had better have an update show on the FUFs as soon as he gets back from vacation. Also the Relationship Rescue Retreat people.

I think I can do the update show now. Show opens with a twenty minute recap of the crap we suffered through. Cut with 20 commercials. then 5 min of cutsey psycho babble of getting real, no dog in this fight, how's that working for you,and you guys better plug in. then 5min of shilling the new book. fade to black

... cause I'm just an old country boy, but it seems to me that you have to put all your cards on the table and find a soft place to land.

I can tell y'all have seen this show before! LOL!!
After seeing today's repeat (which was just as excruciating, I might ad), I couldn't help but draw the same conclusion as before. I have to give Marty bonus points for not giving Catherine a severe case of my-foot-in-your-mouth disease as she sat on the floor in front of him. That chick would try the patience of a saint, let alone some guy like Marty. DrP needs to ask her his infamous, "how much fun do you think you are to be around??!!".
I realize she's playing the "teenager who knows everything" role, but DrP needs to tell her to relax. Obviously her visit with Jaybronee didn't take. Have to give her credit for one thing, she learned from her mother's lessons TOO well. You can just hear Marty praying for relief from that estrogen-driven hell!

Good observation Drummouse, I can't believe I hadn't noticed that before.

Thanks for the update show, Supie. Hee.

Re: [Parsleysage's "pathological hatred of Stacy" thing. My husband is riveted to the set with a totally aghast expression on his face when she's on. I really think he was better off not knowing that women could sink this low. We all fell off the pedestal a little when Stacy took to the airwaves.

Holy Cow!!! Re: That first gal who still lived at her mom's house.... I think we have all just witnessed FUF1's Catherine 20 yrs from now!! That was eery. Be afraid, be very afraid.
And btw DrP, contradict much? What was with giving the first and third at-homeys the overzealous (yet true) lectures while bathing the second guy in gifts?? Was the $1000 in gift certificates necessary? He seemed like the one that could use it the least! That was really tactless to do that in front of the other guests that only got an earful (even tho they desperately needed it!). He didn't teach the second guy anything. That guy will be right back where he is except now it's gonna cost his folks a ton since they signed his lease. Once again, DrP logic befuddles me.
And you know Jaybronee is at home watching this show on his widescreen tv in his multi-million dollar mansion grinning from ear to ear! Ah yes, the charmed life....

MrMaggiegault: "I'd throw that whore out of my house so goddamn fast, her head would spin."

Heres my thing about the at-homeys: First of all, it's kinda messed up to assume that because the kid is there in the first place means they actually want to be there. Most kids wanna move out just as much as you (the parent) want them to.

I think it's messed-up (and I guess this is what people mean by their "blame the parents" slogan) to royally fuck your kid up for 18-19 years of their life then expect them to function on their own. I mean, I'm not saying coddle them forever but damn, looking and listening to you for that long is going to do some programming. That woman was just bawling her eyes out was kinda pissing me off, but she had a point and I could see her frustration. It's extortion to allow someone to live in your house and you treat them shitty. One or the other. Dont let them live with you, or do right by them and let them stay.

The second guy was a more strange case because he never left. I think all he needs to do is get a job and go to school for a skill or something. Thats like a year of his life to get fiscally stable.

The last couple was.. weird. I barely paid attention to them to be honest.

The cute guy who those girls went and moved his stuff was really strange. I'm with you, Drummouse! First, DP rags on him for still living at home, not having a job, not being in school (which I can identify with), etc. THEN he proceeds to move him out and lease a house for him, which he's not paying for, then gives him $1000 in free furniture! Ok yeah now he's out of the house, but so what does that teach him? I'd be out of my mom's house too if people gave me all that free stuff! What the fuck ever, Phil.

What's really funny about the "we moved your stuff out while you were at the taping" shows is that the guy whose stuff was removed can sue for unlawful eviction. I don't think he will since he seemed pretty happy with his prizes, but they really opened themselves up for a headache.

There was just something weird about the mom and daughter in the first case. I thought it was interesting that the mom didn't really start complaining about her daughter's being there until she got married. I wonder if new hubby has anything to do with wanting the freeloader out.

I really thought DP could've been more helpful. Stating over and over again that "You gotta get out!" isn't going to help the daughter; he should've helped her devise a game plan for moving. It sounds like she does want out but just feels helpless about getting the ball moving.

I think there were a whole lot of issues that were never addressed with the mother and daughter. It just seemed to have a darker background than the other cases.

Christy, the 30 year old mother of two who had been free loading off her mother for two years, represented a whole lot of things I just hate rolled into one person. Her sense of entitlement was just HUGE. Of course her mother let her move in when she was "looking for a new place." Mothers are good about helping their kids through a crises but it was also natural that after two years she was ready for Christy to move on. Again, it's only natural for newlyweds to want to work through their first year adjustment phase without three other people in the house.

It said it all to me when Phil asked Christy what she would do if she didn't have her mother. She said she would either stay with a friend or go to a shelter. Christy had already moved eleven times ( lived with eleven friends?). I don't think it has ever once dawned on this girl that those are her children and it's her responsibility to make a home for them. Not her mother's, not her friends', not the tax payers who provide the shelters she turns her nose up over. I know times are hard and housing is expensive but Christy might have wanted to think about those things before she decided to have two children.

I know so many women who have worked hard and denied themselves inorder to raise their families and then, just when they think they can spend a little time and money on themselves, maybe redecorate or take a cruise after twenty years of braces, college, weddings, clothes, doctor bills, etc. Here comes the grown kids back saying, "Look mom, I had baby, raise it for me will ya'?"

The thing about Christy and her mom is that the mom kinda took advantage of the situation. I mean, paying 350 bucks a month can set you back, so its not like the mom was just doing it for free. Thats a good little bit even for 6 months thats a little over 2 thousand dollars. So I know Christy is a little butty, but her mom was getting a nice little pay off.

I forgot about the Olympics being on, so when I came home to watch my tape of the DP show, I saw the weirdest sport: synchronized diving. Damn.

My affiliate showed the worst parenting mistakes one with the kid that killed his hamster and the mom who let her 13 year old drink, smoke and have sex with her 18 year old boyfriend. All I could do was shake my head and thank the cosmos that I have a great mom. I'm scared for our society!

Well SnowDog, at least until the Olympics are over, you might be able to get a Dr. Phil related fix watching Sesame Street. I was flipping channels the other day and came across their DP parody and the muppet is called "Dr. Feel." Sesame Street has pretty good production values nowadays, but they really went all out and tried to replicate DP's set (the background wall with the squares and such.) Dr. Feel was asking Bob to describe his feelings and it boiled down to Bob saying he was hungry and he left to get something to eat. It was really cute. I wonder if DP would ever have Dr. Feel make a guest apperance?

DP had Dr. Feel on his show once. It was one of the parenting eps, but I can't remember which one.

Thanks, katymo. That was one of the more chilling episodes I've ever seen.

Okay.

I still haven't really figured out how I feel about Chris and Stacey (refresher: mormon couple who has six kids, and a seventh that was given up for adoption - product of wife's affair) but...

Does anyone else think that the couple was expecting Dr. Phil to pay off their debts, or at least some of them? He instead sent them to Sandals in Jamaica, which is nice, but how on earth will they be able to "relax, kick back and take a deep breath" when they've still got three months of collection notices waiting when they get back???

You could almost see the disappointment in their faces.

Priceless! Did you guys see Stacey the sociopath drooling while her daughter was singing (quite badly and through her nose, I might add)? Anyone want to make bets how long it will be before mom tries to whore her kid out ala Britney/McCauley Culkin to be her next mealticket?