Cottle, (2004) “Daddy knows” THE NEW REPUBLIC, 12/27,
19-26

The NEW REPUBLIC thinks Dr. Phil is totally conspiring to get you to see his solutions as your answer. He doesn’t teach you how to think but to think like him. He has made a ton of money from his show, books, tapes, and related, because people don’t want to think for themselves.

His topics are lurid and appear to have quick solutions. In other words, change the channel.

That’s the rub. I don’t want to change the channel. Dr. Phil uses cognitive therapy and behavior mod along with other strategies to get people to change. Many of his patients are unusual because that makes ratings go up.

He does not want them to think in a certain political, religious or philosophical ways rather people come on to the show because they want to change. If they don’t then ultimately they keep doing what they want to do.