Evaluation : 2.Evaluate one of the popular talk shows (Dr. Phil show) - Term Paper Example

It would appear that all types of real-life as well as human interest stories are discussed in the ‘Dr. Phil’ show with the aim of bettering the lives of the people they are about. In the course of numerous screenings, the programme, which has now been ‘on air’ for years, has featured guests who are ready to discuss their disagreements with other family members and friends being advised by Dr Phil on the best way forward. The show also discusses infidelity, pornography, fetishes, homosexuality, and other types of behaviour that are usually not discussed openly in public.

While it is true that most of Phil McGraw’s guests on his programme are in dire need of counselling services, the fact is that the show does not minister to their needs in the correct way, if at all. There are many episodes in which Dr Phil has correctly counselled the parents of erring children told off cheating spouses, and rightly so (De La Torre 14). However, there are also many episodes that appear to be geared towards entertaining the public and also shocking people rather than dealing with the problems of others.

If truth be told, the ‘Dr Phil’ show, much like the recently discontinued ‘Oprah’ show, is geared towards shocking viewers rather than providing any real counselling for victims. Even when presented in the most decent language, there are incidences whose discussion on a public forum will only do more harm than good. A recent case where a guest gave a in-depth account of his sexual molestation by his own father is a good example. The details were horrifying, and more attention-catching than his consequent discourse on how he healed from his father’s bestial acts.

It seemed then that the whole show was merely geared towards sensationalism. Such accounts do not provide any measure of healing; they merely provide people with a platform from which to shock with their disturbing stories. If this young man had truly been healed, he would not have felt the need to share with the entire world his horrifying story of abuse. One also cannot help but feel that if Dr Phil were also really concerned about ‘healing the public’s emotions and safeguarding their feelings’, he would not subject them to a blow-by-blow account of the homosexual rape of a young boy.

Contrary to what the show claims that it is about, hearing such things turns the public into unwilling voyeurs that get titillated by the sufferings of others. Listening to such type of revelations on a daily basis will merely succeed in making the TV viewing public become more jaded and impersonal to any type of human suffering. This is merely sensationalism being presented as personal development. In addition, there are many episodes where Dr Phil harangues guests who are obviously disturbed instead of encouraging them.

It would appear that the talk show host is more interested in shaming wrongdoers than in encouraging people who are doing good to keep doing it (Manga 102). Dr Phil has many times counselled fighting couples. In most of these cases, a hurting partner will call the show to complain about the erring spouse; and then both are given the chance to address the issues between them openly with Dr Phil. One can only imagine how other family members feel about being forced to share the details of their lives with a critical and judging public that has no stakes in