When you've got Dr. Phil, who needs Jerry Springer? Yesterday was a new low. Twins, with one of the twins wanting them to become a pair of prostitutes. Dr. Phil had Dennis Hof, owner of the infamous Bunny Ranch in Nevada as his special guest. The show was ostensibly about "bad influences." Today's show is about polygamy and young women forced into polygamous marriages. Last week, "Mom Won't Grow Up" about a woman who parties in Las Vegas. And "Overexposed" about a 17 year old girl who posts provocative pictures on the internet.
Jerry Springer used to sit on a stool at the end of each of his shows, look straight into the camera, and give the "moral of this story" about teenage transvestite prostitutes or whatever. A little homily in an attempt to give a veneer of respectability about the gross topic of the day. Usually it was a commentary of moral relativism, and the only bad things were hurt feelings and "judging" someone.
Dr. Phil pronounces moral judgement from beginning to end on his show. He tells guests that what they're doing is wrong, he even told off his "special guest" Dennis Hof for exploiting women. But by airing these stories, these sordid tales, Dr. Phil is exploiting the very people he's purporting to help, and we contribute to the exploitation by watching.
All Dr. Phil needs is for a fight to break out on the stage, and he'll be ratings gold.
Oh, and don't miss Dr. Phil's "treatment" of now-infamous television personality Pat O'Brien in a prime time special. Should be good for both of their careers.
