Dr. Phil Show ends, many rejoice

The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Production course.

by Addison Maley

Staff Writer

Dr. Phil receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Photo by: Getty Images

Dr. Phil’s self-titled daytime show comes to an end after 25 years and 21 seasons of taboo and sensitive topics.

Dr. Phil McGraw has found massive success in his television career despite many controversies and lawsuits. As The Dr. Phil show ends, fans and skeptics alike reflect on his career.

The Dr. Phil Show has maintained impressive ratings for over two decades, but its controversy began as early as 2008, when McGraw publicized an interview he conducted with then-hospitalized Britney Spears. The Spears family publicly criticized him for exploiting their vulnerable situation, and accused him of practicing psychology without a license- a felony in California. The California Board of Psychology never investigated these claims, though McGraw stopped renewing his license in 2006.

The Dr. Phil Show follows a consistent format in which an intervention is staged against criminal activity, substance abuse, or behavioral problems. The guest is often berated by McGraw, until the end of the show when he suggests “treatment” for their problems. Because McGraw is not a licensed psychologist, he frequently outsources this treatment to independent out-patient programs. Bradley students Ally Mayberry (10) and Lauren Lagana (11) both agree this format is “definitely exploitative.” Lagana elaborates “especially for people that want to be famous and see the show as an easy way to make a name [for themselves].” Those that are most vulnerable often receive the most attention, but fame often does more harm than good.

This was exemplified in 2016, when Danielle Bregoli was featured on the Dr. Phil Show. Her interview went viral due to her somewhat hostile demeanor and thick accent, telling the audience to “catch me outside, how about that,” leading to notoriety as “cash me outside girl.” Laura Togni (11) feels that “Dr. Phil definitely did not help her situation,” criticizing the premise of the show, in which “he just capitalizes off of [people’s] issues.” Togni also points out how the public nature of the show can be harmful, as “any kind of ‘self-help’ show broadcast to millions of people will be exploitative,” intentionally or not. When mental health is broadcast on television, entertainment and ratings can outweigh an individual’s best interest.

In March of 2021, Bregoli released a statement across social media demanding an apology from McGraw for the harsh treatment she received both on-air and following the episode. McGraw’s “treatment” for Bregoli’s hostile behavior involved an “in-patient” program at a farm in Utah, Turn-About Ranch. Though the program claims it offers therapy and hard-work to correct behavioral problems, there have been several allegations of abuse against patients.

Hannah Archuleta was the first to come forward about sexual abuse she experienced at the hands of Turn-About staff, claiming she was assaulted and subsequently punished for the incident. Bregoli came forward soon after, posting a YouTube video using #BreakingCodeSilence, an online movement empowering former “troubled teens” to share their experiences in wilderness camps and other troubled-teen programs.

In Bregoli’s video, she explains the camp is “all about taking away privileges,” which is not just limited to electronic access. In some cases, patients are not allowed to sleep in a bed or eat adequate food for the laborious tasks they complete daily, like scooping horse manure and chopping wood. Only 13 years old at the time, she describes the fear she felt toward the staff, who frequently “made up their own rules,” sometimes forcing patients to “walk around [outside] for hours” or “scoop 50 piles of [manure].”

To conclude her statement, Bregoli again calls out Dr. Phil, claiming he is “using children to keep [the] ranch going,” while they are not fed or allowed to sleep. She urges parents “if your child is acting out because of trauma… you need to send them to a program where… everything’s not about [being] in trouble,” and they instead need monitored care and sympathy to heal. Togni agrees with this sentiment, claiming “Danielle could have gotten actual help and an entirely better life” had she not been sent to Turn-About Ranch. Bregoli received widespread support, and other victims of the troubled-teen industry came out in solidarity.

McGraw never responded to these claims, but released a statement discussing his career and the end of his show. He boasts the help he has offered to “thousands of guests and millions of viewers,” tackling topics “from addiction and marriage to mental wellness and raising children,” despite many claims otherwise.

Though the Dr. Phil Show is ending, McGraw hopes to continue his television career addressing “grave concerns for the American family” and “restore… our core values.” What exactly this means will be revealed closer to 2024, but we can expect to see McGraw on TV for years to come.