Hussein,

I think the thing about Dr. Phil's show, is that it can be very entertaining.  I think most of us like to pry into other people's lives and feel superior that we aren't as screwed up as they are.  Plus, this just seems to be an age when many people look to some "expert" to solve their problems, or tell them how to improve their lives.

Last Fall, I was visiting my family and I was appalled that my sister was really into Dr. Phil, which she taped and watched every day.  So, I sat and watched a lot of the episodes with her, and we kind of tore them apart.  I think it was just my personal experience of having been in a cult that made me see the manipulation, group dynamics and the rest.  Otherwise, I'm sure I wouldn't have thought to much about what he does.

Now my sister thinks Dr. Phil is an egomaniac.  I think the key is just not getting caught up in the topic and to watch with a more critical eye at what he actually does on that show.  I have to admit, he is a lot better at being manipulative than Maharaji is, but then he isn't trying to get people to worship him, but it comes close.

What is it about people who get into this adulation of leaders, celebrities and "experts?"  On what possible basis could a therapist become a celebrity for supposedly doing "therapy?" 

But then, I might be extreme.  I also thought Oliver Sachs was exploitive in his books/movies, and I have friends who strongly disagree with me.  But then, he didn't have his own TV show and didn't drag his patients on TV either.