New controversy is surrounding TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw after a recent Boston Globe/Stat News report alleging he enabled drug and alcohol addicted guests to boost ratings.
Former reality show contestant Todd Herzog won Survivor and a million dollars when he was just 22, but soon after lost himself in a spiral of addiction. Before his appearance on Dr. Phil's show, Todd claims to have spent two days in his hotel room detoxing. But after he arrived to tape the show, Todd was left unsupervised in a room full of alcohol. After drinking an entire bottle of vodka, someone offered him a Xanax to "calm his nerves" and then carried him to the stage for his dramatic encounter with Dr. Phil.
EXCLUSIVE: @DrPhil presents himself as a crusader for recovery who rescues people from their addictions. But his show has put at risk the health of some of those guests it purports to help, a STAT @BostonGlobe investigation has found https://t.co/K606XLNziU pic.twitter.com/OW3Y8tunBh
— STAT (@statnews) December 28, 2017
People were furious:
He should have gone to the emergency room not your stage for your ratings.
— Jelly Bean (@RoyaltyofB) December 28, 2017
I 100% believe it. The way he exploits kids and people with mental issues it’s obvious he doesn’t give af.
— MajorMinority (@oneevpro) December 28, 2017
I think he's a charlatan. I also hate it when he blames the victim (which he does a lot).
— gail shulman (@GaiLibrul) December 28, 2017
Yes This show is #scripted and horrific.
— I love women - C☄️💥🔥🌪🌈 (@CWomenRiseNOW) December 28, 2017
Some people weren't at all surprised:
This isn't even shocking. It's a reality TV show designed to generate ratings & money.
— Avalanche Forever (@citchmook) December 29, 2017
Who would have guessed “dr” Phil was just a tv hack?! 🤯🙄
— Stuart R. Wells (@SRWAtheist) December 28, 2017
Is anyone really that surprised that @DrPhil turned out to be a scumbag? I mean come on...really? The only thing I’m surprised by is the fact it took so long for everyone else to figure it out.
— The F’ing Podcast (@TheFingPodcast) December 28, 2017
Many doubted Dr. Phil's professionalism:
Dr Phil is as much as a medical professional as Cap'n Crunch is a commander of a naval ship #DrPhil
— Tom Dutch (@_Tom_Dutch_) December 28, 2017
Heee's theOneTheyCaall
— ROLLS ROICE (@ROLLSROICE) December 28, 2017
Dr.PHiLL GOOOOD!! pic.twitter.com/L2UksyMwT9
I can see this for sure. Dr. Phil always gave me a bad vibe.
— SureFineLoud (@Surefineloud) December 28, 2017
— Happy Validays (@tinyplaneturie) December 29, 2017
He has not been licensed as a psychologist since 2006. He is in serious trouble if this allegation is true! Also, he is not a psychiatrist (doctor). I feel sorry for all of those he has "treated" over the years! Very harmful! #MentalHealthIsNotEntertainment #ThursdayThoughts
— Seeker of truth (@Idealinfacts) December 28, 2017
Yup, that what happens when you consider ppl as mere objects; puppets to complete your objective show. It’s just another drama to fulfill our satisfaction, but I rather watch it acted rather than actually affecting ppl’s lives. Dr. Phill, you need to chill in a cell!
— 🌹 🇸🇦 (@Stockiratio) December 28, 2017
And some questioned if he's helping or exploiting guests:
Dr. Phil is there to rile up his crowd, not to help people.
— Susan W. Davis (@SusanWDavis3) December 28, 2017
So you’re telling me a show that exploits addicts for entertainment is actually bad for the addicts? 🤔 it’s almost as if making entertainment out of a person’s mental health is a bad thing. Oh wait....
— Alice (@AspenJumper) December 28, 2017
@DrPhil To hell with people, as long as you get the ratings.. right?
— Jenya (@Squishy_J88) December 28, 2017
You should be ashamed of yourself. pic.twitter.com/BXsQxAQA7m
No! Really?! The guy who brought a camera crew to the hospital when Brittney Spears had her meltdown is more concerned about ratings than actually helping people 😳 I’m shocked....SHOCKED I tell you
— Alan🇬🇧€-Trash (@AlanEurotrash) December 28, 2017
Dr. Phil's an enabler he claims he helps everybody but yet he sends them to the Green Room what is no supervision and people can drink all the alcohol he has in there. So he claims he's there to help how is he helping you can't be a helper when you're an enabler so he's no better
— Turner CharlesP. (@turner_charlesp) December 28, 2017
It is never a good idea to put important issues like health, or news for that matter, in a position where they need to be concerned about ratings.
— Susan McConnell (@yikessue) December 28, 2017
Others believed the blame lay with Herzog:
I mean you were the one who decided to drink the WHOLE bottle, should of stopped after a shot or two. Those screwdrivers are real mate.
— Troll Chestenburgh (@YungTemperpedic) December 29, 2017
This guy is just trying to milk another 15 minutes. ..and shame on you for giving it to him.
— Lanie- ⛄🌸 (@icanthearyou123) December 29, 2017
Don't you think the lawsuits would have hit the papers by now if this was true. Stop retweeting crap !
— Trueheart (@becauseicare63) December 29, 2017
Not a DrPhil fan myself but Todd you did drink the entire contents of the bottles yourself, didn't you?
— Ronnie Price (@redwardprice719) December 28, 2017
But one person was disappointed in how Dr. Phil changed over the years:
When I became a Therapist Dr. Phil was someone that I truly respected & thought was an obvious pro to learn from. Great at rapport & building trust w/his guests, his style works well w/kids & parents alike. Every year has taken him one step closer to Springer land & it's a shame.
— Joseph Young (@JoeYoung715) December 28, 2017
What’s the difference between Dr. Phil and Jerry Springer? One exploits mentally ill people; the other has hair.
— Jokerman (@yyys_guy) December 28, 2017