America’s best-known television doctor, Phillip McGraw, presents himself as a crusader for recovery who rescues people from their addictions—and even death. But in its pursuit of ratings, the Dr. Phil show has put at risk the health of some of those guests it purports to help, according to people who have been on the show and addiction experts. (STAT / Boston Globe)
Three separate guests of the syndicated Dr. Phil talk show say the show enabled their use of drugs and alcohol before and during taping of segments about their addictions. (Deadline)
Todd Herzog may have won the reality show Survivor in 2007, but by 2013 he was a suffering alcoholic. Dr. Phil flew Herzog and his family out to make an appearance on his show. Herzog claims he arrived on-set sober, and inside of his dressing room were two well placed liters of vodka—which he drank. Then, Herzog said, someone who works on the show gave him a Xanax, saying it would “calm his nerves.” (Mediaite)
A breathalyzer showed his alcohol level to be a shocking .263, and host Phil McGraw, a trained psychologist known for his brash but often successful TV-ready techniques, said he had “never talked to a guest who was closer to death.” His experience, the investigation claims, is indicative of a troubling behind-the-scenes culture at Dr. Phil which is said to value ratings and the show’s dramatic storylines over the health and welfare of guests who are struggling with substance abuse. (THR)