And I understand we imported that particular atrocity from your fine country, along with "who wants to be a millionaire."

Dr. Phil got his start on the Oprah Winfrey show, which is the top of the heap in daytime TV.  He went on to have his own show, and a big, personal following, and has proceeded to make a fortune in all his spin offs, like books and weight loss programs.

I think for somebody who has been in a cult, his television show could make you feel very uncomfortable because you would be sensitive to the group pressure, the "public confession," and looking to the "leader" with all the answers, all with a load of self blame.

  He usually has one person, or a family, up on stage, and argues with them about what their problems are and how they are screwing up.  Of course, the "audience" is very much on Dr. Phil's side, so you can see that the group pressure dynamics are not very conducive to therapy.

Plus, the idea of solving personal problems on national television is pretty outrageous.

I don't see that Dr. Phil takes a political position -- his position is that he is always right, and takes all the credit for all "success."  Of course, you do not hear about the failures.

His show actually has a lot of features of a cult.