Dr. Phil Show

[Kim]

I don't know. Personally I found it was unprofessional and biased. Firstly, when interviewing the f2m TS Dr Phil called him by his birth gender which I feel is a no no. Secondly, when discussing the 'CD' in highschool I had no idea how to react. If you noticed Dr Phil called her a 'CD' because, in the doc's own words, he did not have GRS yet so he is a 'CD'.    Also, while discussing this individual, it was brought up that if this individual is allowed to wear fem attire to school then why can't others wear nose rings etc, which the doc agreed. Back up the gravy train here. Jewelery is a choice. If this individual is TS or IS then there is no choice for her, she is female and dresses accordingly. Herein lays the prob I had with the show. Anyone who is pre op is in the docs mind a CD period. Personally I felt he spun the community backwards after the work our pioneers started doing for us. The part I found interesting but also too short was the couple at the end where the wife called her spouse by the proper gender and vowed to remain and actually seemed happy and comfy with all in their marriage. Ok, I know, I enjoyed it because it was so familiar in that I am in same situation. Lol
   Then again maybe I read between the lines too much. I was thinking of e-mailing the doc to 'straighten' him out on the issues in reality but I will hold back on that idea until I find out if I am reading between the lines too much   

[Lori]

I think the best part of the show is the conversations in the shows web site forums, some very spirited arguments can be read.  It's interesting reading and reveals how many on the outside see us.

Steph

Can you post a link to that please?

[Steph]

I think the best part of the show is the conversations in the shows web site forums, some very spirited arguments can be read.  It's interesting reading and reveals how many on the outside see us.

Steph

Can you post a link to that please?

Here you go Lori:

http://www.drphil.com/messageboard/topic/2179

Steph

[Hazumu]

I'd really like to watch the actual show.  If anybody finds links to the show (google video, YouTube, or other,) could you please PM me with them?  I realise there might be copyright issues (and if you TIVO'd it, it may auto-self-destruct in another day or two,) but before I comment, I'd like to see for myself what those who DID watch it are talking about.

(Is it ratings 'sweeps' week already?)

Karen

[Kim]

Karen,
  If you go to the link Steph provided you can find transcripts of the show. I am just going through them to see if they are accurate according to what they aired. By the way, again the doc ticks me off  on this site. If you scroll to bottom of page showing the highlight of each story it will show 'related links', most of which are about homosexuality, gayness and lesbianism. None of this has anything to do with TGism. Even a professional can't figure out there's a difference between gender and orientation. I think he's beyond hope, but the scary part is so many naieve people follow his shows and believe him.

Ok, I just reviewed those transcripts and while they are mostly accurate, they are not fully accurate. Whoever wrote them corrected the gender in them. Dr Phil was referring to the indiduals by their birth gender but the transcripts use their proper gender. And as is the case with so many other shows, not the entire segment is written in the transcript.

[ConfusedMichelle]

I finally got around to watching the recorded show.

I turned it off about half way through. I was so angry.

A. Dr. Phil, although he said he wasn't, seemed to be attacking Cameron.

B. The aunt REALLY made me mad. Saying that Cameron was going to hell if "she" doesn't change. I was sitting there flipping off the TV, seriously lol.

I can't write a full critique, because I couldn't sit through that awful, biased show any longer. Any respect I had for him is gone.

Heck, Jerry Springer is even more respectful than that lol

[zombiesarepeaceful]

Gah I missed it. Although yes, he's a jackass, I'd have liked to see a show on transsexuals as I've only seen snippets of one, Oprah's, online.

[Mario]

I saw it. It was really bad. Cameron was attacked. I was very disapointed.

                                        Marco

[LostInTime]

A friend's GF made the mistake of bringing up this show and how good it was.  I made her feel like a complete jerk for saying it.

Make the world a better place, write to have him removed from the air.

[Sheila]

LIT, how would we go about doing this. Where do we write to. I will write as I have had issues with this person since the last time he has done this.
Sheila

[LostInTime]

You actually need to write a few different places.

First off the local affiliate.  They have to carry some but not all of the network programming.  Being in the South the local affiliates drop off anything they deem overly offensive to their Christian upbringing.  They cannot do it too often as they will eventually risk their affiliation with the network.

Then you need to write to the main network.

Then you need to write to each and every advertiser.  Signing as a concerned citizens group will make them take you a bit more seriously.  I have actually written to advertisers to thank them for supporting certain shows that I enjoyed but were targeted for cancelation.  Even some of the really big backers will take time to respond if you write the letter correctly.

Plus you need to write to Phil's producers (check the credits) and be sure to tell them why you are writing.  Reference things like the Associate Press' guidelines for transgender coverage and also be sure to recommend things like the SOC and a few of the big players who have been active on a national stage (ie Marci Bowers who was on CSI).  This establishes peer groups from two settings, doctors and television.

All letters should be:
Short and to the point (one page, max)
Respectful
Include full contact information.

Writing to local trans publications or trans friendly publications with concerns is a good way to get the problem recognised and perhaps even a larger movement to education and/or do away with the show in question.  Short Op-Ed pieces can do wonders. 

Yes, this does work and this is how those who oppose our existence operate.  I have been a part of lobbying efforts in the past and found the above to be really effective.

[Hazumu]

Then you need to write to each and every advertiser.  Signing as a concerned citizens group will make them take you a bit more seriously.--

--Yes, this does work and this is how those who oppose our existence operate.  I have been a part of lobbying efforts in the past and found the above to be really effective.

I'll put my signature on such a letter, and I bet many members of Susans.org will also do so.

So, assuming the letter is written and passes muster, how do we do it?

Karen

[Sheila]

LIT, thank you. I'm starting now. I'm really tired of some dimwit on the TV who thinks he is Gods creation to the psychology world. Too bad Oprah didn't see him for what he is.
Shiela

[LostInTime]

Just write a nice letter following the minimal guidelines I posted and then drop it into the mail.  Postal mail is one of the best ways.  If the behavior continues then you start calling and faxing the network and affiliates plus continue writing to the advertisers.  Remember that you do not need to be T to do this so get your friends and their friends involved as well.

[Kim]

oopsy-I actually e-mailed the ol' doc instead of the supporters to remove him. But now that you mentioned it starting with Oprah's company would make a good start. I can't remember it right now but it's easy to find though. 

[BrandiOK]

  I believe it's called "Harpo Productions"...or something close.

[LynnER]

I thought she disowned him last season... which is why hes on fox now... or is that just local?  I dont keep up with all this TV junk most of the time

[Kate]

OK, I *finally* saw this show last night, and ya know... I didn't think it was THAT bad.

No, I'm not suggesting it for recommended viewing to educate people about all this, as he messed up quite a few things... but it wasn't the arrogant hostility that I expected either.

He mostly just seemed to be playing the part of a mediator, trying to bring both sides together by acknowledging *everyone's* concerns. I don't remember him ever judging GID in general, and in fact he AFFIRMED it as being a real and valid condition a number of times, intentionally pointing out for example that the m2f in school was NOT simply crossdressing, making a distinction between crossdressing for attention and GID as a medical condition being treated by a medical doctor. Bravo.

As for him telling the F2M he wasn't ready... well, that was a very premature judgement, but he WAS right in that if he doesn't forsee problems in relationships after transitioning, especially with intimate ones, then he IS being very, very unrealistic. Although he said he's been "thinking about this" for many years, he's been in therapy for only TWO MONTHS I believe. I'd be concerned too at this point. All he really seemed to be saying was, "Slow down, you obviously haven't researched this thoroughly, just make sure you fully understand the process and consequences before you commit to it." I agree with Phil.

The "pray to jesus" suggestion wasn't appeasing the religious right or suggesting that GID is evil, he was just trying to negotiate some sort of understanding with a very religious family. I don't agree with that, as he shouldn't be allowing them to impose their religious prejudices on others, BUT... within a family mediation session, it made some sense if finding mutual compromises was his goal.

I dunno, maybe if I wasn't already expecting the worst after reading the reviews I'd feel differently, but it didn't seem all THAT bad to me. In fact, I think it did some GOOD by repeatedly stating that GID is a medical condition, and not a hobby or lifestyle.

Kate

[Melissa]

Thanks for the review Kate.  I haven't seen the show yet myself, but it's good to get a different opinion.

Melissa

[BrandiOK]

  I would agree with many of your points Kate except that Dr. Phil has built his philosophy and reputation on "telling it like it is whether you want to hear it or not".  Had his primary role going into this been as a "negotiator" then yes I can see, to a certain degree, trying to appease both sides of the arguements.  However viewers expect Dr. Phil to "tell it like it is" and, sadly, they believe whatever he says.

  When Dr. Phil refers to the school student as a crossdresser because he hasn't had any surgeries then all the puddingheads assume that anyone who hasn't had SRS is a crossdresser.   

  When Dr. Phil recommends that the FtM join his families religious rhetoric and pray because "hey, what could it hurt?", knowing full well that the family would not accept ANY result other than "if you accept jesus into your heart he will cure you", all of his loyal lemmings see the good doctor encouraging a religious "cure" for this problem.  It was obvious to you, I and most TG people I'm sure, that Dr. Phil was trying to negotiate some common ground but in doing so he gave validity to the familys archaic views.  The vast majority of viewers don't understand what transgender even means so 'blurring' the facts is grossly irresponsible for a man with his credentials.

  Whether this FtM had a realistic view of his future relationships we can't know that and neither can Dr. Phil.  This guy was bullied from the beginning of the show by the relentless yakking of his family and constantly being interrupted by Dr. Phil.  You can see at the beginning of the show that he visibly upset and about to cry which makes it difficult to express yourself well.  He wasn't given a fair opportunity to express himself because he was only allowed to speak in short burst before being interrupted. 

  The FtM did state he had been in therapy for 2 months but he also said his therapist agreed 100% in what he was wanting to do i.e. legal name change and top surgery.  It's not uncommon for therapists to make a GID diagnosis earlier in late term transsexuals than younger patients.  This isn't done because the late term transsexual is running out of time but because they have a long history already that the therapist can look at and interpret as part of the diagnosis.  I would put much more faith in the FtM's therapists decisions to say he was ready than Dr. Phils half hour diagnosis that he wasn't.

  I can understand that by reading the myriad of angry posts on here that one might assume there was a hostile atmosphere during the show when it was far from that.  The damage Dr. Phil did was not only by using grossly incorrect terminologies and definitions but by suggesting there might be some validity to the families claim that "jesus can cure you of these feelings".   The potential damage is immeasurable among the families of Dr. Phil followers who are dealing with transgendered family members or friends in my opinion.