Phillip Calvin McGraw
(born September 1, 1950), best known as Dr. Phil
, is an American television personality, author, and former psychologist, currently the host of his own television show, Dr. Phil
, which debuted in 2002. McGraw first gained celebrity status with appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show
in the late 1990s. [1]
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Early life
McGraw was born in
Vinita, Oklahoma, the son of Jerry (
née Stevens) and Joe McGraw.
He grew up with two older sisters, Deana and Donna, and younger sister Brenda
[2] in the oilfields of
North Texas where his father was an equipment supplier. During McGraw's childhood, his family moved so his father could pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a
psychologist. McGraw attended
Shawnee Mission North High School in
Overland Park, Kansas. In 1968, he was awarded a football scholarship to the
University of Tulsa, where he played middle linebacker under Coach
Glenn Dobbs. On November 23 of that year McGraw's team lost to the
University of Houston 100–6, which is one of the most lopsided games in college football history.
[3] Coach Dobbs retired after that season, and McGraw transferred to
Midwestern State University in
Wichita Falls, Texas.
Career
McGraw graduated in 1975 from
Midwestern State University with a
Bachelor of Arts degree in
psychology. He went on to earn a
master's degree in
experimental psychology in 1976, and a
Ph.D in
clinical psychology in 1979 at the
University of North Texas,
[4] where his
dissertation was titled "
Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Psychological Intervention." After run-ins with several faculty members,
McGraw was guided through the doctoral program by Frank Lawlis, Ph.D., who later became the primary contributing psychologist for the
Dr. Phil
television show.
[5]
McGraw owned a construction business with his brother-in-law while completing his internship for his Ph.D.
After obtaining his Ph.D., Phillip McGraw joined his father, Dr. Joe McGraw, in Wichita Falls, Texas, where the elder McGraw had established his private psychology practice.
[6]
In 1983, McGraw and his father joined Thelma Box, a successful Texas businesswoman, in presenting "Pathways" seminars, "an experience-based training which allows individuals to achieve and create their own results."
[7] Critics claim that many of the "phrases and the terminology and the quaint sayings" used by McGraw on the
Oprah
and
Dr. Phil
shows were coined by Box and presented by McGraw in this seminar. McGraw admits that some of the material from
Life Strategies
, his first best-seller, is taken directly from the Pathways seminar. However, he has never mentioned Thelma Box or her contributions to his success in any of his books or TV shows.
[8] Eight years after joining Box, McGraw signed an agreement for the sale of his Pathways seminar stock for $325,000 without notifying either his father or Thelma Box of the impending sale. "There was a feeling of betrayal because Phil had compromised the integrity of the program. The accusation is that he reduced Box's asset value in the corporation by selling behind her back."
Box founded her own seminars entitled "Choices."
[9] It has been reported that McGraw and his father seldom speak.
In 1990, McGraw joined lawyer Gary Dobbs in co-founding Courtroom Sciences Inc. (CSI), a trial consulting firm through which McGraw later came into contact with
Oprah Winfrey.
[10] Eventually, CSI became a profitable enterprise, advising
Fortune 500 companies and injured plaintiffs alike in achieving settlements. McGraw is no longer an officer or director of the company.
After starting CSI, McGraw ceased the practice of Psychology. He maintained his license current and in good standing until he elected to retire it 15 years later in 2006.
[11] Appearing on the
Today Show
in January 2008, McGraw said that he has made it "very clear" that his current work does not involve the practice of psychology. He also said that he had "retired from psychology."
[12] According to the
Today Show
, the California Board of Psychology determined in 2002 that he did not require a license because his show involves "entertainment," rather than psychology.
[12]
Oprah Winfrey and the Dr. Phil
show
In 1995,
Oprah Winfrey hired McGraw's legal consulting firm CSI to prepare her for the
Amarillo Texas beef trial. Winfrey was so impressed with McGraw that she thanked 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.
The next year, McGraw published his first best-selling book,
Life Strategies
, some of which was taken from the "Pathways" seminar.
In the next four years, McGraw published three additional best-selling relationship books, along with workbooks to complement them.
As of September 2002, McGraw formed Peteski Productions
[14] and launched his own
syndicated daily television 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.
Weight loss products
In 2003, McGraw entered the weight-loss business, selling shakes, energy bars, and supplements. These products were promoted on his show with his sisters Deana and Brenda and nephew Tony among the featured testimonials on the show.
[15] These products' labels, which carried the brand name "Shape It Up, Woo, Woo!", 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,
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.
[16]
McGraw settled the suit in September 2006 for $10.5 million.
[17]
Some of the settlement ($6 million) may be paid to the plaintiffs in the form of
Amway (
Quixtar) brand
Nutrilite vitamins.
[18]
In 2005, McGraw published another best-selling book,
Family First
, along with a workbook. He also signed a five-year extension of his syndication deal with his show's distributors, King World Productions, Inc. The deal will pay McGraw $15 million a year
[19] and keep the show in production through the 2013–2014 television season.
[20]
Spin-off shows
Also in 2005, McGraw's son Jay's television show
Renovate My Family
(a clone of ABC's
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
) was canceled at the start of its second season following a renovated family's lawsuit.
[21] [22] Jay McGraw and Dr. Phil then formed Stage 29 Productions.
[23] A week later, McGraw and son announced a new show called
Moochers
(a clone of ABC's
Kicked Out
);
[24] however, the show was canceled before any episodes aired. McGraw also released another book,
Love Smart
, which did not achieve the success of his previous bestsellers.
In 2006, the
Dr. Phil House
(a clone of CBS's
Big Brother
) began airing as part of the
Dr. Phil
television show. Following a protest by neighbors, the house in Los Angeles was shut down, and production resumed on a sound stage in a studio back lot.
[25] McGraw reached the number 22 spot on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list, with income of $45 million.
[26]
Another Stage 29 show,
Decision House
(a remix of the
Dr. Phil House
) aired from September through November, 2007 but was canceled due to poor reviews and dismal ratings.
[27] Ratings for the
Dr. Phil
show in 2007 began to slide. In May, viewership was close to 7 million people.
[28] However, by year's end, viewership was about 5.5 million people (#10 for syndicated TV shows, and just under
Everybody Loves Raymond
,
Family Guy
and
CSI: Miami
).
[29] By August 2008, viewership slipped to just over 4 million people.
[30] Two weeks later, the show slipped beneath the Nielsen top 12 syndicated TV shows, and has yet to resurface.
[31] McGraw's income fell by 1/3 to $30 million, and he dropped to the number 30 spot on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list.
[32]
Late in 2007, McGraw began promoting his 2008
Dr. Phil Show
extension,
The Doctors
.
[33] The show is hosted by television personality and ER physician Dr.
Travis Stork (
The Bachelor
). Other experts scheduled to appear include various personalities who have appeared on the
Dr. Phil
show over the years, such as Dr. Lisa Masterson, an
obstetrician/
gynecologist; Dr. Andrew Ordon, a
plastic surgeon; and Dr. Jim Sears, a
pediatrician.
[34] Masterson, Ordon, and Sears appeared on the
Dr. Phil
show during the 2007–08 season so that McGraw could instruct them on "how to give articulate medical advice while being scrutinized by a studio audience in Los Angeles." Jay McGraw (Dr. Phil's eldest son) is executive producer of the show.
The Doctors
debuted on September 8, 2008, and as of November 10, 2008, has a 2.0 rating.
[35]
The Making of Dr. Phil
unauthorized biography (2003)
The Making of Dr. Phil
is a biography by Sophia Dembling, a reporter from the
Dallas Morning News
, and Lisa Gutierrez, a reporter from
The Kansas City Star
.
[36] The book probed McGraw's history, with interviews of his childhood friends and former classmates. The book reported that McGraw allegedly used unethical business practices in a gym business early in his career, that he was allegedly abusive to his first wife, and was also allegedly abusive to his staff, while noting that he overcame adversity through setting goals and was persistent in achieving success. The book received no promotional help from McGraw or his associates.
[37]
Criticism and controversy
Kalpoe lawsuit (2006)
McGraw was named a co-defendant, along with
CBS Television, in a 2006 lawsuit filed in relation to the disappearance of
Natalee Holloway.
[38] The lawsuit was filed by
Deepak Kalpoe and his brother
Satish Kalpoe, who claimed that an interview they did with McGraw, aired in September of 2005, was "manipulated and later broadcast as being accurate, and which portrays Deepak Kalpoe and Satish Kalpoe 'as engaging in criminal activity against Natalee Holloway and constitutes defamation.'"
The Kalpoe brothers claimed invasion of privacy, fraud, deceit, defamation, emotional distress, and civil conspiracy in the suit, which was filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court.
[39] [40]
Britney Spears "intervention" (2008)
In January, 2008, McGraw visited celebrity
Britney Spears in her hospital room.
[41] The visit by McGraw drew criticism from the Spears family and from mental health professionals.
The visit appeared to be part of an attempt at getting Spears and her parents to take part in an "intervention" on the Dr. Phil television show.
[42] Immediately after the visit, McGraw issued public statements
[43] [44] about Spears' situation that Spears' family spokeswoman Lou Taylor said violated their family trust in McGraw. "This is another example of a trust being betrayed," Taylor told
Today
co-host Meredith Vieira. "Rather than helping the family’s situation, the celebrity psychologist caused additional damage", she said.
[45] Several mental health care professionals criticized McGraw for his actions; however, fellow TV psychologist Dr.
Joyce Brothers defended McGraw.
[46] One professional psychologist filed a complaint with the California Board of Psychology alleging that Dr. Phil practiced clinical psychology without a license and violated doctor-patient privilege by discussing Spears' case with the media. He also started a petition to have the
Dr. Phil
show removed from the air.
[47]
Polk County, Florida controversy (2008)
On April 13, 2008, a producer for the
Dr. Phil
show secured $30,000 bail for the ringleader of a group of eight teenage girls who viciously beat another girl and videotaped the attack.
[48] The teen had been booked at the Polk County, Florida jail on charges that included kidnapping and assault. Producers of the
Dr. Phil
show had made plans to tape a one-hour show devoted to the incident and had sent a production assistant to Orlando to help book guests for the show. However, when news broke that the
Dr. Phil
show producer had posted bail for the teen, the outcry caused the show to cancel their plans. "In this case certain staffers went beyond our guidelines," said Theresa Corigliano, spokesperson for the
Dr. Phil
show. "We have decided not to go forward with the story as our guidelines have been compromised."
[49]
Riccio lawsuit (2008)
McGraw was sued by
Thomas Riccio, the memorabilia collector responsible for taping the Las Vegas robbery that led to
OJ Simpson being convicted. Riccio sued McGraw in Los Angeles Superior Court for defamation, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false light for what Riccio claims to have been deceitful editing of the Dr. Phil Show on which he appeared in early October 2008.
[50]
Approach to psychology
McGraw's advice and methods have drawn criticism from some fellow psychotherapists as well as from some laymen. McGraw's critics regard advice given by him to be at best simplistic, and at worst, ineffective.
[51]
McGraw said in a 2001 South Florida newspaper interview that he never liked traditional one-on-one counseling, and that "I'm not the Hush-Puppies, pipe and 'Let's talk about your mother' kind of psychologist.'"
[52] 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."
[53]
Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists determined on October 21, 1988 that McGraw had hired a former patient for "part-time temporary employment."
[54] Specifically the Board cited "a possible failure to provide proper separation between termination of therapy and the initiation of employment"
[55] and issued a letter of reprimand and imposed administrative penalties.
[56] The Board also investigated claims made by the patient of inappropriate contact initiated by McGraw, but the "Findings of Fact" document issued by the Board on October 21, 1988, at the end of its investigation, includes no reference to any physical contact of any kind. It specifically identified the "the therapeutic and business relationships" as constituting McGraw's sole issue with the Board.
[56] McGraw fulfilled all terms of the Board's requirements, and the Board closed its complaint file in June, 1990.
[58]
Charitable foundation
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.
[59]
Personal life
McGraw's first marriage was not publicized until a 2002 Newsweek cover story.
His first wife was an ex-cheerleader and homecoming queen named Debbie Higgins McCall, who married McGraw in 1970. According to her, McGraw was domineering and would not allow her to participate in the family business. Instead, she claimed that she was confined to domestic duties, which included lifting weights to improve her bustline.
[60]
During the process of annulling the marriage in 1973, McGraw began dating a 19-year old who graduated from high school the week before they met:
[61] Robin Jo Jameson, whom he married three years later. The day of the wedding she left school and her job to become a stay-at-home wife. After the McGraw's first child Jay was born in 1979, she became a stay-at-home mother. In 1986, McGraw's second child, Jordan, was born.
[62]
McGraw's son, Jay McGraw, has partially followed in his father's footsteps, publishing books aimed at teenagers based on McGraw's books and working for Stage 29. Jay McGraw became engaged to
Erica Dahm, one of the famous Playboy Playmate triplets.
[63] Phil McGraw, who has been an outspoken critic of pornography, was Best Man at the wedding, which was held at his home in Beverly Hills.
[64]
McGraw's son Jordan is currently a junior at the
University of Southern California and is pursuing his interests in
music.
McGraw is also a private pilot, with an instrument rating, flying single engine airplanes.
[65]
Bibliography
Filmography
- Scary Movie 4
(2006)
- Treehouse of Horror XVII
an episode of The Simpsons
(2006)
- Madea Goes to Jail
(2009)
References
- Dr. Phil, Medicine Man
- Birth Order: Dr. Phil's Sisters Talk
- 2007 Golden Hurricane Football Media Guide
- University of North Texas North Texan Online Summer 2006: Honored Alumni
- Frank Lawlis BIO
- Paging Doctor Phil
- About Pathways
- Analyze This
- About Thelma Box
- Franchise Tax Certification of Account Status
- Dr. Phil's License Status
- Today Show interview "Dr. Phil defends intentions with Britney Spears." Retrieved February 5, 2009.
- Today Show interview "Dr. Phil defends intentions with Britney Spears." Retrieved February 5, 2009.
- Peteski Productions, Inc.
- Weight Loss Challenge: Dr. Phil's Family
- Class-action status sought in Dr. Phil diet suit
- Settlement reached on Dr. Phil diet plan
- Slimming the Amway
- For The Dr. Phil Fans
- Dr. Phil Signs on for Five More Years
- Renovated family sues
- Wrecker's ball for 'Renovate My Family'
- Stage 29 Media Productions, Inc.
- Dr. Phil takes on 'Moochers'
- "Dr. Phil" House Shut Down By Angry Residents
- 2006 Forbes Celebrity 100
- The Marriage Is in Trouble, So They Take It Onto Television
- Week of May 21, 2007
- Week of December 31, 2007
- Week of August 11, 2008
- Week of August 25, 2008
- 2007 Forbes Celebrity 100
- 'Dr. Phil' spinoff sent to market
- Meet Our Doctors
- http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?date=11/11/08&id=20081111cbs02
- The Making of Dr. Phil: The Straight-Talking True Story of Everyone's Favorite Therapist
- Battling Dr. Phil
- Wrongful death, Defamation lawsuits filed in Natalee Halloway case
- Archive
- Pleading Index: Kalpoe v. McGraw
- Further Adventures in America’s Favorite Pastime, 'Addictionology'
- Britney In Desert, Dr. Phil Show A No-Go
- Dr. Phil's Exclusive Statement to ET on Britney
- Dr. Phil's Exclusive Statement to 'The Insider' on Britney
- Spears' parents say Dr. Phil violated their trust
- Dr. Phil Criticized for Britney Brouhaha
- Britney Spears Visit Causing More Problems For Dr. Phil: New Complaint Filed
- Did Dr. Phil go too far?
- Dr. Phil Staffers Bail on Show Guidelines
- Simpson trial witness sues Dr. Phil for defamation
- SHAM; How the Self-Help Movement Made America Helpless
- Lavin, Cheryl. "Dr. Tell It Like It Is." ''South Florida Sun Sentinel'', July 3, 2001, Page 1E
- Dear Reader, Get A Life
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- Dr. Phil McGraw announces the formation of the Dr. Phil Foundation
- Ex-wife talks about her years with Dr. Phil
- Dr. Phil Divorce?
- Dr. Phil & Robin's Do-It-Yourself Marriage Makeover
- Dr. Phil’s Son Engaged to Triplet Playboy Playmate
- Jay & Erica's Wedding
- https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/airmeninquiry/Detail.aspx?uniqid=A1250217&certNum=1