Every time Phil recounts his humble boyhood the stories become more and more Joaded. I believe his assertion that his family was not well-off, but I also know that he had an intact family, a working father and was not yet alive during the Depression, so I'm not sure why he's trying to inch closer to Frank McCourt territory. "If I didn't collect the nine dollars each week from my paper route, we didn't eat." (Then the Brothers of Compassion chased me from the rectory with an ax handle when I asked for medicine for me crusting eyes.)

It'll be a marvel of a memoir: Phil McGraw's Journey from Hovel to Hollywood, or No Place to Pee to a PhD.

I'm waiting for some kid to reach adulthood and sue Dr. Phil.
"you put my parents and me on TV, talked about my personal problems, and as a result, I had no friends, couldn't get a date, was ridiculed all through school, dropped out and turned to drugs. All because of Dr. Phil not respecting my privacy."
Yes, I'm sure parents sign releases for the kids to be on the show, but are parents aware of all the possible ramifications?
There are laws protecting kids. Kids who are victims of crimes, kids who commit crimes, if they are under a certain age (vaires by state), their names are not mentioned in the newspapers - their privacy is respected.

A while back, I saw a commerical for the Dr. Phil primetime show where he tells parents their son is a potential serial killer. My thought then, as now is - what kind of "Doctor" says this sort of thing in PUBLIC about a CHILD?

Kids have problems - some get worse over time, some get better. It's not fair for any child to have to carry a stigma because a personal problem was aired on TV by an unscrupulous guy trying to make a buck.

Okay, I might be excommunicated here, but he didn't do too badly with the ADD show. Adult gal most likely did have it. Kid most likely didn't. He was willing to have them professionally diagnosed (even if it was at wacky Lawless Land). He was addressing behaviors. He was even-handed on the pills. He didn't pound on either of the two adults in the first portion.

Plus, I'd send everybody a dollar if we can let the whole Mikai thing fade away.

I second that motion!

Looks like Dr. Phil cashed in on the whole Mikai thing; the second show with him set a record for the show's highest rating - 7.6.

I agree. He did real well, actually, with this show on ADD, as well as the previous one. Hopefully, he got the message out that we need to stop over-medicating people for a disorder that most do not actually have unless they are professionally diagnosed, i.e., the brain scan, NOT a ten-minute doctor visit. Also, I think that Dr.Phil should recommend reading John Rosemond's material because his view is similar; according to him, kids are acting out in school because they are not disciplined prior to arrival, which is no surprise if they were in daycare. And, most of all, parents need to start disciplining their children and teaching them how to behave, NOT using anything as an excuse, ADD or not. (That's my number #1 pet peeve, kids acting up in public, especially restaurants.)

Is it me, or does anyone think some of these people need to be redirected to the Jerry Springer or Maury Povich shows?

ETA: I also do not want anymore of my tax dollars going to schools supporting all these so-called learning problems or to the prisons that these kids could end up in. Pehaps the money should be put toward boot camp instead.

I thought the people with the bratty 4 year old needed to be redirected to SuperNanny.

Finally, someone concurs.

Me too. My biggest pet peeve is when I'm sitting in a restaurant, and the kid at the table in front of me or next to me turns around and stares at me while I'm eating. Or makes faces. Or throws things. It's not cute.

Topic? Thought the ADD show was good. I feel sorry for the first lady because I have the same type of behavior. (Stacks of receipts in my purse, stacks of dishes, can't make a decision, anxiety problems) So, that segment was eye-opening because I've never thought any of that was ADD. Her husband, though? What a prick. He seemed more concerned about making sure that Phil and everyone else knew that he didn't blame his wife, while telling his wife that she had to change or else he would leave. Grab a broom, buddy, and shut the fuck up.

If Phil quotes John Rosemond, he may as well quote James Dobson--two punitive jackals in the same herd.

The guy who was on a week or so ago with the porn addiction? I didn't see the show but I just found out that I know the guy. My husband used to work with him before he switched jobs last month. He always seemed like a nomral, nice enough guy but now I just feel squicky knowing he has been over to my house for football parties and stuff.

I felt really bad for that guy. It was so obvious he had no porn addiction. And his fiancee dragged him onto to the Dr.Shill show to fix him up.

His fiancee was a peice of works. Your boyfriend gets off on porn, get over it or get out.

. timeonmyhands, did they get married in 3 weeks like they were supposed to? I'll bet 10 large they did. No one listens to Shill and his mega stack of books. See if you can find out??

Shill didn't say that exactly; his lawyers were very careful. He said that the boy had a lot of traits in common with serial killers. "A lot" being 9 out of 14, or some numbers like that.

See, someone made a study of serial killers and discovered that they had a number of traits (14?) in common. The little boy had 9 of those traits, two of which were being white and male, since most serial killers are white and male, duh. So most (not all) serial killers may share some traits, but Shill never explained that having some of those traits means that a child will necessarily be a serial killer. Logically speaking, you can't turn that study around as Shill did and infer that because the kid has 9 traits, he's a potential serial killer (something Shill never came out and said directly, BTW, but he sure as hell led the audience to believe that). One thing doesn't lead to the other. I hope I'm explaining this clearly.

Definitely, the boy's behavior was terrible and he needed help, but pointing out that he shares a number of traits with serial killers (and imposing the kid's photo over JEFFREY DAHMER's) doesn't really mean a thing; and sort-of-labeling him as a potential serial killer on national TV was heinous, IMO.

This made my day. Bwah!

I've been without internet for 2 weeks! Ahhhh!!!!!! But I wanted to throw in my 3 cents (inflation)...

Mikai: Oh, God, Mikai. This was definitely one of the more depressing things I have seen on television in a long time. Not Showbiz Moms and Dads type depressing, but true, deep DSM-IV depressing.

Both parts taken together, I'll echo the other posters who stated that something seemed missing, or didn't ring true about these two episodes. I cannot quite put my finger on it, but I'll do my best. First, this family was a sad disaster waiting to happen. Phil didn't ask (of course) about the treatment each parent had received for their repective molestation, but I would suspect the answer is none. Many of you have commented on the father's anger problem, and how even in this serious situation it seemed off and odd. My theory is that the father, untreated, was identifying Mikai with his own molester, transferring it, as it were.

It's just when dad was yelling, he seemed to be speaking from a place of being a child, not an adult. But I'm no TV psychologist....

Not to let Mikai off the hook (I'm not, but explaining is not excusing), but I have a creeping sensation that he's been the whipping boy of this family a long, long time. I have no doubt he was molested himself, and Phil's mockery of his claim (maybe it wasn't by 29 people, but I have no doubts it happened) was infuriating and depressing.

PornFiance: I guess I just don't get it. Maybe it's the fact that I've known Mr.Jean for ten years or something, but I just don't care. I just make fun of him when he's looking a porn...big whoop. I would have had the same reaction as the guy in this show, kind of shrugged and been like, "girlfriend is overreacting." Eh, it's just me.

Li'l Dahmer: I missed the prime time special but caught the follow-up a few days ago. Did they say there were, like, a dozen serial killer traits? I remeber this New York Times article about rage killer traits and how they were different from serial killer traits in various respects, but aren't the Big Three for serial killers 1.bed wetting 2.fire setting and 3.animal torturing? I know Dahmer had all of those.

ADD Show: Specifically, the wife with adultADD. I felt really, really sorry for that woman and hated her husband. From what I know about these disorders, piling on stress just exasperates the problem. It was obvious she was trying to cope (making the endless lists and not even being able to do that). I wish I had something more illuminating to say than my distaste for her husband, I really do.

IIRC Shill mentioned that there were 14, KimberleeJean, but I could be wrong. He didn't go into all of them in detail; he mentioned just some of them as he talked to the boy's parents. A text of all the traits was scrolled over a soft-focus video of the boy in the background. I think the Big 3 you mentioned were on the list, though.

The whole Mikai thing, yeesh. I didin't see any educating or enlightening there. Just a lot of Shill bullying Mikai and his parents both. 'Cause the most important thing is that Bully Shill is proved right, not that this family (or Mikai's victims) gets any help.

Today's show on mooching: Gee Shill, What do you think your son Jay has been doing during his patheic existence on this Earth?!


Wednesday's show on Ask Dr. Phil & Robin (zzzzz....) What Robin does for fun when Shill is not around?

Gee... Let me guess...

Take too much Botox

Stuff her face with junk food & watch TV all day

Cheating on Shill (I wish)

Walk around the house naked

Showing her feminine side.

Edit: The mooching show is today. My bad.

parsleysage, yes, pornguy did get married last weekend. Did the good Doc suggest that they should not? Did he suggest counsleing or anything? Because I understand they got none of that. Rumors say that the girl is a huge drama queen and was looking for a reason (any reason) to drag the poor guy to see her idol, Dr Phil. Just rumors of course but my husband's whole company is buzzing about the whole thing. Funny, now everyone he works with knows he was on Dr Phil because he has a "porn addiction". Why in the world would you be willing to go on tv and talk about something like that?

Just to be clear, I was squicked out that the guy was in my house because he was a Dr Phil guest, not because he liked porn.

Well, of course you were!

But now that you've admitted to knowing someone who as actually a guest of Shill's, you know what you have to do, right? You have to renew your acquaintance with that guy so you can grill him about his appearance. Details, I want details! Such as, is Shill's dome really that shiny? Does Kitty's face look that frozen in person? Is she really a robot? Was Big Butt Jay there? And so on.

Yes, timeonmyhands, you don't have to go so far as inviting him back to your house. Just grill him at the next company dinner or assign mr.timeonmyhands
to do so and then report back to us. And whatever you do, don't mention TWoP to him, even though it would improve his online activities!

About today's show: There is no hope for Shane. He will probably be a worthless fat bastard for the rest of his miserable life.

Jed is so stupid. The chances of this schmuck becoming a rock star & getting rich are the same chances of me seeing the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series in my lifetime. NEVER!!

Danielle & Pamela are so patheic. Pamela needs to get a kick in the face, & Danielle needs a 2 by 4 in a head. $500 for Danielle to shop at Victoria Secret?! Please... For What? So that Jay can help her get herself a life.

Shill has no creativity what so ever.

Maybe these moochers can move into Dr. Shill's house & that will solve everything.

"If he were my son, he'd be in treatment before the sun goes down TODAY" Why did I know he was going to say that? How is Mom supposed to pay for that? There's no way a 21 year old unemployed kid is on her health insurance. Guess Phil thinks money grows on trees. Surprising outlook for someone who grew up poor & went hungry when he didn't collect on his paper route.

It seemed to me that mooching Mom was clinically depressed. Phil suggested she sign up for classes at a community college. More classes? She's 3 credits shy of a degree she's hasn't bothered to finish. She should get a job. Why can't she get a job at Target? That's just strange. Counseling seemed to be in order. And criminal charges if she's taking out loans in her daughter's name. I hope daughter gets her act together & gets out - mom is NOT her responsibility. Shil accomplished nothing here other than hawking Victoria's Secret.

Missed today's show, which is good because I'm sick of the moochers. If Phil wants to look for moochers, he should turn around and look at his own family (yes, I'm looking at you, Robin and Jay. Get off your bony (or fat, in Jay's case) ass and get a job.) I'd love to see Robin in one of those blue Wal-Mart vests.

Was I the only one bothered by the last couple on yesterday's show? That poor woman seemed like she was just killing herself to please Mr. Fold-my-meat-in-half-or-else. I wanted to hug her and tell her to take that cute little boy and run. She seemed like she had such low self-esteem. I don't think Dr. Phil was hard enough on the sandwich guy. If it were a woman treating her husband like that, Phil would have flipped his lid.

Shill was poor when he was growing up? I don't buy that for one second. What the hell does know about being poor?!

I guarantee that Dr. Phil has never set foot in a ghetto, the Appalachia, or an Indian Reservation.

He gets more poor every time he mentions he was poor, seriously.

Good reconnaissance work, timeonmyhands. Shill told them to cancel their wedding date 3 weeks hence, because that guy needed to solve his porno ADDICTION before she committed to him. Yes, counseling was mandated, of course. Weird that didn't happen, I always assumed that Shill's Pack O' Minions made sure all counseling happened post-show, and paid for it too.
That's "the good people at" Victoria's Secret, BetyBee. "Good People" are companies who sponsor products and resort vacations on Shills' show, not people helping to rebuild Indonesia, ok?

I watched 2 eppys today, the moocher one at 5 and the controlling husbanad one, at 10:00. In BOTh he gave his paper route dog and pony show. Cripes, next he'll be talking about how he walked to school barefoot each day, 10 miles each way, BOTH UPHILL (tm Bill Cosby)

Tuesday's show--I wanted to reach into the TV and hug Moocher Jed's wife. She was so sweet, earnest and pretty. You could sooooo tell that she was trying to win daddy's love. Jed, step away from the peroxide bottle and pick up the Zoloft bottle. In fact, Shill needed the "good people at" Pfizer to donate some antidepressants for all the moocher guests today.

Forgot to mention the eppy on the controlling wife on Monday--way to go Shill in letting the entire USA know she was molested by her father, without actually saying it. I'm sure she appreciates it.

I was bothered too, sarcastic chick. I kept thinking "He's just not that into you." It was very sad because I think she thought that the baby would cement their shaky relationship. That never works, just brings a child into an unhappy mess. He was actually "not pleased" with the changes in her (perhaps 90 lbs. dripping wet) body since bearing his child. She should run, not walk away from this cold fish. She was so childlike - I just wanted to give her a hug and a dose of reality.

Amen, brimick78! I'm sitting there thinking, "What's the big damn deal? So he likes porn? So does every other male who isn't a monk or asexual!" If I had been Dr. Shill, I would've said: "Does he spend a ton of money on it? Does he not make love to you in order to watch porn? No? He doesn't? Y'all still have a normal love life? Then shut the fuck up."

And Shill made nothing better by going on this stupid, STUPID rant about how porn destroys lives and how could he look at some woman who is likely someone's daughter. Um, Shill? He's schtupping someone's daughter, so I don't think that's a great anti-porn argument.

Oh today's show really toasted my crackers. Specifically, Kitty's reaction to the guy who keeps in touch with his 1st girlfriend. While granted, going on national television and proclaiming her as his one great love was not very tactful of sensitive, I think that the only reason that he did not tell his wife about their correspondence is because she is totally insecure and clingy. Usually men try to avoid gigantic meltdowns, I don't think he had anything nefarious in mind. Gah.

I keep in touch with the XMrB and MrB has never once asked me to stop. Why? Because he trusts me. I was alive for 24 years before I met him and I am not going to erase those years. Mostly when I receive an email from XMrB, what I am feeling is overwhelming relief that I did not marry the goober. But he was a very important person to me and no one should have the right to ask you to leave important people behind. [whisper: Plus part of me likes the XMrB knowing how truly fabulous I turned out, the best revenge is living well. /Vindictive Whispering Borokat].

And Kitty's favorite activity is making Jordan a snack? She is only happy when waiting on her kids? Boy, DP has really done a number on her. Plus why are we asking her anything? At least DP has DOCTOR in front of his name!

My mommy stopped making me snacks when I became a big girl! You know, seven!

Codependence is so cute and fuzzy.

The part with the dog was SCARY! First of all, that dog needs a crate, pronto! Second, they have let it go way too long. I'm sure they can fix it if they were to grow a freaking backbone. We have 2 ginormous labs and they get into trouble sometimes but for the most part are great because we don't let them get away with anything that isn't acceptable (or as Nanny Jo would say as-ceptable). And dog training classes do not train dogs, they train people so that the people can train the dogs.

Dr. Phil's puppy was supercute though. Loved that ear sticking up.

I loved that Phil suggested a hunting trip as a good option to a strip club for that guy's bachelor party. Shooting animals for fun is better than seeing half-nekkid women?

Am I the only one who finds this hilarious?

Ok, I hate Dr Phil but that dog was just too flippin' cute.

I'm somewhat biased on the issue of old girlfriends. About a year after Mr Time and I were married an old girlfriend of his contacted him under the guise of just wanting to chat with an old friend. He stopped in at her place one day after visiting a friend and she got really weird with him, crying that she never should have let him go and she wanted to give it just one more try and could he please not go home to me or call me to let me know where he was and if they couldn't be together again would he just consider staying for one night? He came home pretty creeped out. So, needless to say I'm not a fan of old girlfriends!

All my feelings aside it seems to me what really matters in the case of the people on todays show was that the wife was so bothered by the relationship her husband had with his old girlfriend. The guy didn't even seem to care going so far as to say that he would not end the relationship even his his wife asked him to. That seems pretty disrespectful to me. I mean, she's the one he's married to and she's the one he needs to have the commitment to, not the old girlfriend.

Oh yeah, you nitwit. If your son is having nightmares about Dr Phil I think the first step in curing that would be to STOP WATCHING DR PHIL! Oy.

ITA timeonmyhands He did not respect her feelings on this at all. I wonder if his internet honey has withstood the ravages of time as well as he has (NOT)! Or now that she's seen him on TV will the e-mails stop?

ETA That puppy is the cutest! The McGraws went up a notch in my book just 'cause of Maggie McGraw

Nope. MaSpy and I just started giggling. But the smug look on the wife's face at the end almost made me shout "Go with the Stripping! If you give in now, you'll always give in and that way lies bitterness, Jack Daniels, and hookers named Sunshine!"

Dr. Phil with the Osbournes next monday!

It actually looks kinda interesting, but I have always had my doubts about the Osbournes parenting skill (i.e. letting all three of their children drop out of high school around age 15, etc.).

Speaking of reality TV stars...One can only hope that the Simpson clan make an apperance on the good Doctors show some day. Jessica, Nick, Ashlee and their creepy earring-wearing bottle bleached pimp of a dad. The list of topics would be suprisingly intresting-Jessica being the obvious favorite child, Dad pushing them into careers they suck at (this means you ashlee), not knowing how to be married while not on camera, etc.

So incredibly obvious to anyone that has crate trained. $10 says that dog playfully nips the baby and winds up at the pound. Haaate people who don't spend the time to a) understand or b) train their dogs.

The strip club thing...good grief. Wifette just needs to go with him some time. Once she sees it for herself, I'm betting she realizes it's no big deal and certainly no threat to her. Hubby didn't seem the type to sow a field of wild oats, but he may wind up resenting her snapping that leash on quite so quickly.

And their creepy earring-wearing bottle bleached FORMER BAPTIST MINISTER pimp of a dad. That's the part that blasts me. And how obsessed he was with Jessica's virginity. Ewwwwwwwww.

Anyway, parselysagemini was asking me about what Kitty really does during the day, and was incredulous that all she really does is make snacks for her grown boys and wait for Shill to come home so she can be complete. I mean, she's nice and all that, but that's really it.

Poor dog. I feel sorry for that puppy. Now that dog will have no future living in that hellhole (Shill's house.). What a shame.

Poor Connor. I know how you feel. Having nightmares about Dr. Phil. We all have nightmares of this bastard. Stuff like this is why TWOP was invented. Is making your kid watch Dr. Phil all the time considered child abuse?! I rather let my kids watch Maury than Dr. Phil because at least they'll learn something important on Maury.

That Robin segment was a big waste of time for me. What? No teenage boys hanging around the house?!

My dogs could train that dog better than they did. In fact, my older dog pretty much did train my younger dog. I'll take that beautiful Weimaraner if they don't want it. I'm 8 1/2 months pregnant and would take that dog in a second.

Phil, please talk to me, as I am very confused. You see, you have shared stories of a very Horatio Alger nature, telling us that you picked rhutabagas in the noonday sun, threw a paper route, bred exotic reptiles for their meat and to make purses, and held your raggedy family together with all the grit a nine-year-old boy can muster. I wept. We all wept. You could have been off rolling a hoop or hanging onto the ice wagon, but instead you made your way into town on the buckboard and raised pennies to feed Ma, Pa and the WomenSiblings.

Then, you switch up on us. You often host the parents of lil demonic imp children, and bond with these hand-wringing moms and dads by explaining that there is hope for Bradley the Cartheif and Judy the Pickpocket because YOU TOO were a little felon. A con. A punk. A perp. A skel. Stories of roaming the streets of Mayberry, looking for trouble. Stealing tchotckes from your piano teacher. Feeding slugs into the Pepsi machine and palming change from the collection plate at church. Phil! If you can't keep your stories straight, I'm afraid our relationship is in trouble. If you can't be honest, we may have to try commando viewing: Drive a UHaul up to your tastefully appointed mansion and empty it of china, silver, Chinese pottery, antiques, electronic equipment and all those signed tennis racquets. Leave you with nothing but Kitty's treadmill, Jordan's Clearasil and those Fruit of the Loom boxers of Jay's that you use as beach umbrellas. Hate to do it, but you need to come clean with us. The Daily Show may call you a "major douche" but you're OUR douche, and you owe us. Thanks.

Ahhhh, but see, Gemmadoll, this explains Phil's affecction for Kitty's FauxNanner Pie, it takes him back to those halcyon days of childhood when all Phil's family had to subsist on was sawdust and government-issued butter.

It all makes so much sense now.

So, in our Phil redemption story, where he gives all his possessions away (to better gain access to Heaven, of course), does Kitty get to keep all those shoes, or do they go to the homeless?

Gemmadoll, you rock! I think the fascinating thing about Phil & Robin is.....they are NOT fascinating, or even interesting. Robin's favorite activities - meh! Is she agorophobic? Does she only leave the house to go to the show? And yes, Phil's life story changes on a daily basis. He got lucky when Oprah found him & he's milking it for all he can, but he's just not very good at whatever it is he's supposed to be doing.

See, I could like Shill a tiny bit, or maybe DISlike him a bit less, if I knew that Robin worked her ass off for charities, or was really busy running her own business, but as it is, she's just an overdressed ball and chain. She only appears to exist to further Shill's image of the ideal family, which I'm not buying.


Edited because I think "worked her ass" and "worked her ass off" mean two entirely different things!

Exactly what I was thinking,DeepRed! She should be active in some charity, helping those less fortunate. Otherwise, get off your high horse, Robin!

Mega word. I really disliked the woman- her husband said she picked out the dog just b/c of the way they look- she probably saw a Wegman calendar and couldn't *wait* to have one of her own- with no regard for the personality of the breed whatsoever.

I thought the story about how the dog took the enchiladas out of the hot oven was weird- who leaves the oven on when they're out of the house? Am I the only one who thinks that's a big no-no?

This is one of my "pet" peeves. I've seen this happen with so many couples. They get a dog to practice their "parenting" on and then when baby comes, even well behaved pooches are off to the pound. I understand that the love you feel for your baby is .... of utmost importance, but I always feel sorry for the dog. If you know you're going to have kids, just wait 'til they're old enough to help train a dog.

Since I am pregnant, I worry about my dogs feeling left out when the baby does come. I mean, I realize that my child should come first (I'm not stupid) but to me, it just seems so unfair to bring an animal into your home, treat it like a member of the family and then completely abandon it when it becomes inconvenient.

And about the dog opening the oven door. That actually made me laugh. But then the lady said "our dog has been diagnosed as having separation anxiety disorder"...um, no shit. Your dog has completely distroyed your house and you are complaining about the DOG? Dog behavioral problems are the direct result of their owner's lack of commitment to the training.

I'm very glad we got our puppy before we got the baby. Hubby and I were totally non-schedule people who ate out and had a great time any time any where. Puppy tied us to the house and got us organized. Also got us sleep-deprivation trained. But we kept the dog. In fact, I think hubby knows deep down if there's ever a split (god forfend) then the dog and I are outta here. (And yes, I love my child, so don't get all horrified.)

But some women use dogs as accessories. (Some men, too.) And so few people dedicate the time required to train a dog. And yes, that woman's baby is going to run roughshod over her. DP hit that on the head, but where his largesse would have been appreciated, he missed. A few bucks to send them to class (send the dog?? useless!!) would have been appropriate.

Aimee, this is just me, but I have one evening when Dog and I go to puppy class. Just dog/mom time, Dad keeps baby. And we do family bike rides and walks, just so Dog knows he's still important. For the time the baby was sleeping in our room with us, Dog slept on the bed. Now that baby is in his own room, Dog is back in his kennel on the other side of the room. HE made sure he kept his place in the pack.

Thanks for the advise. The dogs already sleep in the bed with us, so we'll see what happens.

Sorry, I missed the show today so I have nothing to add on topic.