Starting Over Talk - Peer Coaching Support Site

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valtina wrote:

QUOTE:
True enough Turtle. But I don't think Dr. Phil is unmindful of who his audience is, or what they would appreciate if he is to remain someone they admire enough to watch his show and buy his books. My personal take is that he is the Boss in every aspect of his life where he wants to be, at home and at work, and that the concessions he makes to his wife's alleged control or dominance in some areas are largely tongue in cheek, or simply in those areas he chose to delegate to her. I have never viewed him as "whipped," although he does play at that sometimes on the show.

Unfortunately, he rarely follows his "cases" to see how things turned out, or gives them the same in-depth coverage as SO does. So for me, it doesn't have the same therapeutic value as SO and is more of a common sense advice show - without the digging deep I enjoy so much on SO.

That's why I liked his first Dr Phil Family series. He worked in depth with Marty, Erin, Alexandra (pregnant with Nathan), and Katherine. He had them back for a followup last season. And, will have them back for another one later this month.
I think it's his predominately female staff that's responsible for him telling women guests more what they want to hear, than need to hear. He once said, in an O Magazine issue, that out of a staff of 140, 120 were female.

Yep, that proportion of female staff would probably make a difference and help him appeal to a largely female audience.

I had forgotten about that one family. I saw at least two shows about them and I liked that too, the more in-depth treatment their issues got. In fact I think I saw an ad that he is bringin them back with some new "shocking secret." After SO, I wonder if there's anything left that's really "shocking."

I just checked the official website and saw that, while the Pheonix casting call had been cancelled, they're still soliciting tapes from those wishing to be on next season. The list of issues they're looking for has also been revised since I last checked their "casting" section. Maybe they've decided to quit having casting calls. And, realize that viewing submitted tapes and doing an in depth investingation is a better way to weed out those just wanting face time on TV.

I am trying not to think about it. I have watched SO since the first season. I still miss Rana. But I could not imagine SO without Iyanla. This show has helped me to maintain my sanity and clarity throughout the past 3 years of suffering severe abuse, leaving a relationship, receiving my degree and raising my son who has autism. I learned so many priceless lessons, cried, laughed, cheered and built affection for each of the housemates that have blessed my tv screen. There has never been another show like SO and it is a crying shame for show business when programs like SO have a hard time staying on the air and sitcoms and reality shows that show the perverted side of life without offering healing and connection stay on for decades. I have been inspired to discover the purpose of my own life through this show. I am in my final year of graduate studies in school counseling/psychotherapy now and I have applied many of the life coaching skills that are used on this show, which include art therapy and cognitive exercises. I believe that what we learn we must share with others and the awareness that I learned about myself through P.J.'s tender insecurity to Rain's wise feistiness to Candy's definition of a true woman to Josie and her pain through relationships and single motherhood. Never has there been a forum for women to feel safe sharing and growing together without judgment and perpetual drama on television. When and if SO goes off the air, I will continue to search for the balance that we all seek and remember that it can not be done without assistance, true introspection and willingness to be honest. Then we can truly give ourselves what we need to reach our goals. It's never too late to start over and over and over... SO ROCKS!

After much reflection, (and depression) about SO being cancelled, I am trying to convince myself that I become too invested in the lives and futures of the SO guests. Maybe when I no longer can focus on them, I will become more invested in myself and become more positive and productive. Heaven forbid, that I would find a social life.