Dr. “Phil-anthropist”
Written by Tay Duffy
Image Source: McGraw,Phil. “Be on the Show” Dr.Phil, CBS “Peteski Productions, 2020, https://www.drphil.com/be-on-the-show/plug/9163/.
|
We’ve all done it.Whether you’re sipping coffee on your way to first period or shoving down a granola bar because you’ve been studying all lunch, no doubt you’ve channel surfed in an effort to make use of those last few minutes of free time. And if you’re like most, then you’ve definitely come across the TV phenomenon that has taken America by storm, Dr.Phil. Debuting in 2002, Dr Phil is an American talk show that follows TV personality and psychology PHD holder, Phil Mc Graw, as he dishes “no nonsense advice” to a variety of troubled guests (Dr Phil Show, “About Dr. Phil”). Despite his main demographic being mature women, Dr Phil remains stagnant as America’s therapy icon, and has been continuously nominated for the Daytime Emmy Awards for 7 straight years (Dr Phil Show, “About Dr. Phil”). Nevertheless, Phil “low and behold” style therapy borders dangerously on exploitation. While the series is undeniably entertaining, because of the way it makes a mockery out of and capitalizes on the mentally ill as well as provides a platform to those with bad behaviour, Dr Phil should be cancelled.
|
After all TV is a lucrative business and ratings are the backbone of entertainment, so we must ask ourselves is it really ethical to place the mentally ill at the forefront of a popularity motivated industry. Nonetheless, having troubled people in front of an uneducated audience that therefore lacks the capacity to fully digest the situation at hand, and yet retains the ability to insert their opinions via reactions at any given time creates a disturbing zoo-like atmosphere in the studio. For example, after a pathological liar and drug addict makes a deluded comment about how her sister envies her for being the older sibling, the audience actually laughs (Dr Phil, Sister vs. Sister: "It’s Always About You, And I Can’t Take It Anymore”). While this assumption was no doubt absurd, this guest is visibly ill, and having an audience laugh at her distressing state is blatantly disrespectful to those that experience severe mental problems. The insertion of unwarranted opinions in serious situations is also extremely prevalent throughout the show. Those reacting to the unfolding scenes do not have the education necessary to fully comprehend how their reactions may affect and unstable guest. For instance, after a troubled teen is told that her absentee parents “didn't love her enough” (Dr.Phil ,“Dr. Phil To Mom Of Sexually Active 14-Year-Old: 'Your Daughter Is Not Capable Of Giving Consent”) by a certified doctor, the audience applauds. As true as that statement may be, having hundreds of people punctuate what is likely a very jarring moment for a 14 year old is no doubt that much more traumatic.
All of the above however, contain the Kardashian level drama required to get the show the attention necessary to make it the most watched day time television series in America (Dr Phil Show, “About Dr. Phil”) and as a result of this success, Dr.Phil gives a large scale platform to each and everyone of his guests. However, not all of Dr.Phil’s guests are hoping to change, and some profit directly from the negative attention brought to them on the show. Take the case of a narcissist instagram influencer, who takes advantage of her TV debut to boast to her followers about her appearance on the show, showing that she has no actual intention of changing. While Dr.Phil himself has an audience that will condemn the negative attitudes of his guests, this young woman is also preaching to her own following, essentially showing off the popularity that being obnoxious and bratty will get you. After all, the power of popularity should not be underestimated. Just last year, the series kickstarted the career of out of control teen, Danielle Bregoli, who rose to fame after creating the famous catchphrase “catch me outside how about that” out of disrespect for the audience. This phrase eventually translated into her million dollar net worth as well prospering career as a rapper. This shows just how much attention can be influential in people’s lives and consequently, we must question the ethics of allowing people who are mentally ill to make such a crucial decision to appear on the show, considering their state of mind.
After all, despite being legal, wouldn’t letting someone make a decision when they’re not fully aware of the consequences be considered exploitation? Take the case of previous movie star, Shelley Duvall, who appeared on the show while in an extreme state of mental instability. Aside from her failure to comprehend reality, her incoherency is shown through her extremely slow speech (The Wendy Williams Show, “Dr. Phil under Fire”). Considering her state of mental health, should someone like this be shown on television regardless of their consent. Coinciding with incoherency, people that are legitimately delusional also appear on the show. What value is there in the compliance of a person that is not fully aware of their reality. In the following we will see a young teen who wrongfully believes she’s pregnant with Jesus (Dr.Phil “Teen Says She’s Pregnant With Baby Jesus”). This young woman is obviously not in touch with reality, and to make a spectacle out of her in front of the whole country while she so vehemently believes in her own logic is demeaning, and is a blatant example of exploitation.
Regardless of the issues with his show, Dr.Phil himself does give well informed advice as well as provides exclusive help for most of the guests. However, the problem with this show lies in the genre, where those that are troubled must be publicly humiliated before receiving the help they need. Dr.Phil essentially creates a safe space to judge and ridicule real people that are going through real problems. Nevertheless, these types of shows are simply a reaction to what people want to see, so redirect your attention towards shows that lack the same elements of exploitation. After all, you just might be the next guest.
All of the above however, contain the Kardashian level drama required to get the show the attention necessary to make it the most watched day time television series in America (Dr Phil Show, “About Dr. Phil”) and as a result of this success, Dr.Phil gives a large scale platform to each and everyone of his guests. However, not all of Dr.Phil’s guests are hoping to change, and some profit directly from the negative attention brought to them on the show. Take the case of a narcissist instagram influencer, who takes advantage of her TV debut to boast to her followers about her appearance on the show, showing that she has no actual intention of changing. While Dr.Phil himself has an audience that will condemn the negative attitudes of his guests, this young woman is also preaching to her own following, essentially showing off the popularity that being obnoxious and bratty will get you. After all, the power of popularity should not be underestimated. Just last year, the series kickstarted the career of out of control teen, Danielle Bregoli, who rose to fame after creating the famous catchphrase “catch me outside how about that” out of disrespect for the audience. This phrase eventually translated into her million dollar net worth as well prospering career as a rapper. This shows just how much attention can be influential in people’s lives and consequently, we must question the ethics of allowing people who are mentally ill to make such a crucial decision to appear on the show, considering their state of mind.
After all, despite being legal, wouldn’t letting someone make a decision when they’re not fully aware of the consequences be considered exploitation? Take the case of previous movie star, Shelley Duvall, who appeared on the show while in an extreme state of mental instability. Aside from her failure to comprehend reality, her incoherency is shown through her extremely slow speech (The Wendy Williams Show, “Dr. Phil under Fire”). Considering her state of mental health, should someone like this be shown on television regardless of their consent. Coinciding with incoherency, people that are legitimately delusional also appear on the show. What value is there in the compliance of a person that is not fully aware of their reality. In the following we will see a young teen who wrongfully believes she’s pregnant with Jesus (Dr.Phil “Teen Says She’s Pregnant With Baby Jesus”). This young woman is obviously not in touch with reality, and to make a spectacle out of her in front of the whole country while she so vehemently believes in her own logic is demeaning, and is a blatant example of exploitation.
Regardless of the issues with his show, Dr.Phil himself does give well informed advice as well as provides exclusive help for most of the guests. However, the problem with this show lies in the genre, where those that are troubled must be publicly humiliated before receiving the help they need. Dr.Phil essentially creates a safe space to judge and ridicule real people that are going through real problems. Nevertheless, these types of shows are simply a reaction to what people want to see, so redirect your attention towards shows that lack the same elements of exploitation. After all, you just might be the next guest.