Phil McGraw

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This article is about Phillip McGraw, the talk show host. For the TV show, see Dr. Phil (TV series).

Phillip Calvin "Phil" McGraw, Ph.D. (born September 1, 1950), best known as Dr. Phil, is a three-time Emmy Award-nominated television personality who's well-known as the host of the popular American psychology TV show Dr. Phil, who gained celebrity status following appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Contents

Biography

Born in Vinita, Oklahoma, to Jo and Jerry McGraw, McGraw grew up in the oilfields of North Texas, where his father was an equipment supplier. Midway through his childhood, his family packed up and moved so that his father could pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a psychologist. McGraw attended high school at Shawnee Mission North High School in Mission, Kansas. He was given a football scholarship to attend the University of Tulsa, but was injured and forced to transfer to Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. McGraw graduated from the Midwestern State University in 1975 with a B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) in psychology, and then went on to get a Masters in experimental psychology and a Doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of North Texas, swimming at the two schools.[1]

McGraw owned a construction business with his brother-in-law while completing his residency. He did one-on-one sessions in private practice in Wichita Falls, Texas and conducted life skills seminars with his father and Thelma Box, before getting out of private practice and founding Courtroom Sciences, Inc., a trial consulting firm, in 1989 with neighbor Gary Dobbs. As president of CSI, he advised Fortune 500 companies and injured plaintiffs alike in achieving settlements.[2]

In 1995, Oprah Winfrey hired Phil McGraw to prepare her for the Amarillo Texas beef trial. Winfrey was so impressed with McGraw that she credited him for her victory in that case, which ended in 1998. Soon after, she invited him to appear on her show. His appearance proved so successful that he began appearing weekly as a "Relationship and Life Strategy Expert" on Tuesdays starting in April 1998. In 2002, he was given his own syndicated daily TV show, Dr. Phil, produced by Winfrey's Harpo Studios. The format is an advice show, where he tackles a different topic on each show, offering advice for his guests' troubles. McGraw has authored a number of self-help books on topics such as relationships and weight loss.

McGraw is noted for his Texas accent and for his one-finger wave to his wife Robin, in the audiences at the beginning of every show, his celebrity is largely attributed to his behavioral approach to psychology. Many critics[attribution needed] regard advice given by him to be at best simplistic and, at worst, invective. In 2005, he signed a five-year extension of his syndication deal with his show's distributors, King World Productions, Inc. The deal will pay McGraw a reported USD$15 million and keep him on the airwaves through the 2013–2014 TV season. McGraw currently lives in Beverly Hills.

McGraw announced the formation of the Dr. Phil Foundation, which raises funds to fight childhood obesity, on October 22, 2003. The Foundation also supports charitable organizations that help address the emotional, spiritual and monetary needs of many children and families. [3]

McGraw was married to Debbie Higgins McCall, his high school sweetheart, from 1970 to 1973. He married Robin Jameson, a college sweetheart, in 1976, and they have two sons, Jay (1979) and Jordan (1986). Jay McGraw has partially followed in his father's footsteps, publishing books aimed at teenagers based on Dr. Phil's books and working for his father's production company, Stage 29. Jordan is currently a sophomore at the University of Southern California and is pursuing his interests in music.

Criticisms and controversies

The Making of Dr. Phil

The Making of Dr. Phil [1], a biography by Sophia Dembling, a reporter from the Dallas Morning News, and Lisa Gutierrez, a reporter from the Kansas City Star, probed McGraw's history, with interviews of his childhood friends and former classmates. It reported that McGraw used unethical business practices in a gym business early in his career, that he was abusive to his first wife, and was also abusive to his staff, while noting that he overcame adversity through setting goals and was persistent in achieving success. The book received no help from McGraw or his associates. [2]

Ethical violation in Texas

After being reprimanded by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists for an "inappropriate dual relationship" with a therapy client in 1988, McGraw was required to take ethics classes in order to continue his private practice in Texas. McGraw admits to giving the client a job at his office[citation needed] (which is not allowed) but denied carrying on a sexual relationship with the 19 year old, who says their relationship was sexual. [3]

Psychological approach

His technique, which differs considerably from traditional psychology, has been criticized by those inside and outside the profession[attribution needed]. McGraw never liked traditional counseling, and was awkward in one on one situations.[4] McGraw, like Dr. Laura, does not emphasize discovering the cause of emotional distress earlier in life, and instead focuses on behavior modification therapy — that is, changing a behavior without necessarily investing time in discovering the cause of an unwanted behavior. In Psychology Today journalist Pamela Paul writes that McGraw "knows what's best and he's not afraid to tell you. Dr. Phil issues counsel as marching orders."[5] McGraw himself admits that "I'm not the Hush-Puppies, pipe and `Let's talk about your mother' kind of psychologist."[6]

Supplements

In 2003, McGraw entered the weight-loss business, selling shakes, energy bars, and supplements. These products' labels, which carried the brand name "Shape Up", stated: "These products contain scientifically researched levels of ingredients that can help you change your behavior to take control of your weight." This met with swift criticism from various sources,[7] accusing McGraw (a clinical psychologist, and not a physician) of lacking the expertise to recommend weight-loss products. Facing a Federal Trade Commission investigation into Shape Up's claims, McGraw pulled his supplements off the market in March 2004, and the FTC dropped its probe. In October 2005, several people who used McGraw's products declared an intent to file a class-action lawsuit against him, claiming that although the supplements cost $120 per month they did not stimulate weight loss.[8] McGraw settled the suit in September 2006 for $10.5 million. [9] Most of the settlement ($6 million) will be paid to the plaintiffs in the form of Amway (Quixtar) brand Nutrilite vitamins. [4]

Miscellaneous

  • He was ranked fourth on thephoenix.com's list of the "100 unsexiest men in the world."[10]
  • He is an avid tennis player, golfer and scuba diver.[5]
  • He is the father-in-law of 1998 Playboy Playmate Erica Dahm, who is married to his son Jay.
  • Has been said to resemble actor Jeffrey Tambor.[11]

Books

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Brief filmography

References in pop culture

The factual accuracy of this article is disputed.
Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page.
  • In The Suite Life of Zack and Cody episode "Ask Zack," when Darlene takes Shirley's (a.k.a. Zack) advice to date Zack, she tells him that she can open up to him, to which Zack responds, "just think of me as Dr. Phil with hair." [6]
  • McGraw appeared in the opening scene of Scary Movie 4, spoofing the thriller Saw. [7]
  • McGraw starred in an episode of Frasier, The Devil and Dr. Phil. [8]
  • Dr. Phyllis, an obvious parody of McGraw, is mocked when Drake and Josh in Drake & Josh go to Dr. Phyllis to patch their relationship after a big fight. The parody was also used in a Brandy and Mr. Whiskers episode. [9]
  • On The Late Show with David Letterman, Letterman showed short clips from the TV series called "Dr. Phil's Words of Wisdom." It would feature McGraw delivering a one-liner, taken extremely out of context, making him look like a foolish or demoralizing person. [12] Letterman also frequently jokes that Dr. Phil and Oprah Winfrey are married to each other.
  • A Muppet character called Dr. Feel appears on Sesame Street. [10]
Dr. Phil with Dr. Feel
Dr. Phil with Dr. Feel
  • The show was spoofed during a scene where R.J. and the forest friends flip channels on the HDTV set in the film Over the Hedge. [11]
  • McGraw is parodied in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories on its soundtrack as the host of a show called "Heartland Values with Nurse Bob" [12]
  • Comedian Patrice O'Neal regularly gives relationship advice on the Opie and Anthony Radio Show as Black Phillip. [13]
  • On The BOB & TOM Show, a voice impersonator playing McGraw frequently makes telephone calls to the radio program.
  • McGraw is quoted on Stargate SG-1 (during "Counterstrike")
  • A McGraw self help book is mentioned in the 2005 movie, "Red Eye." [14]
  • McGraw was spoofed on the television show Sealab 2021 as a character named Dr. Phrill who gave a little girl with progeria a makeover.
  • McGraw guest stared in the Simpsons episode Treehouse of Horror XVII where he was eaten by Homer.
  • McGraw along with Oprah have been parodied in episodes of MAD TV and Chappelle's Show.
  • McGraw was parodied in a Brickfilm by Tim of Brickfilms.com called "Soldering your balls saves marriage".

Notes

  1. ^ Dr Phil McGraw Biography. Retrieved on 2006-10-19.
  2. ^ "Phil McGraw." Newsmakers, Issue 1. Gale Group, 2005. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale. 2006. http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/BioRC
  3. ^ Press release. Retrieved on 2006-10-19.
  4. ^ Lavin, Cheryl. "DR. TELL IT LIKE IT IS." South Florida Sun Sentinel, July 3, 2001, Page 1E
  5. ^ Pamela Paul. Dear Reader, Get A Life. Retrieved on 2006-10-19.
  6. ^ Lavin ibid.
  7. ^ Dr. Phil, Medicine Man. Retrieved on 2006-10-23.
  8. ^ Class-action status sought in Dr. Phil diet suit. Retrieved on 2006-10-19.
  9. ^ Settlement Reached on Dr. Phil Diet Plan. ABC News (September 26, 2006). Retrieved on 2006-11-29.}}
  10. ^ http://www.thephoenix.com/article_ektid7852.aspx
  11. ^ Dr. Phil Show #47.
  12. ^ The good doctor - The popular TV psychologist brings his show back to post-K New Orleans. - New Orleans Times-Picayune, Aug. 8, 2006. Page E1

External links

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