Phil Schmil
I don’t think I really like what Dr. Phil is doing right now. He’s got this “Dr. Phil Ultimate Weight Loss Challenge“ going on. At first I was impressed, “Wow, he really cares about people.” I’m sure he does.
But his new season is plagued w/ ratings bait. I mean, he created this challenge, fine. He selected a group of people for him to monitor and mentor closely, fine. He put them all in a house… weird. Then he put cameras everywhere… weirder. Then he set up the “video diary” thing that ALL “reality tv” shows have… suspicious. Then he deliberatly sets them up for failure, stocking the pantry not only w/ tempting foods, but specific foods that the selected contestants? have admitted were their weaknes; pork rinds w/ peanut butter, cookie dough, etc. Now I’m sure of it, this whole thing is set up more for ratings than it is for the well-being of the contestants.
It’s cheap. It’s a stunt. Even his “Dr. Phil Family” that he is going to follow throughout the year, it’s all done w/ a Jerry Springer type of overtone. Closeup shot of mother, caption underneath says “daughter pregnant at 15″. Closeup of daughter, caption underneath says “had sex at 14 years old”. They show the cheap fights between the family members, just cuz it’s on tape and not on the stage doesn’t mean it’s better than what Jerry Springer does.
I love how Chris Pirillo refers to Dr. Phil’s Ultimate Weight Loss Challenge book as “Dr. Phil’s Berate Your Way To Thin.” What a riot.
I don’t know. I just hope Dr. Phil gets over his ratings-fever before the format of his show is entirely ruined.