Sinking ratings create real problem for Dr. Phil

Dr. Phil often counsels his troubled guests to "get real." But this season the syndicated talk-show guru has gotten an unwelcome dose of reality himself, in the form of plummeting TV ratings.

National ratings for "Dr. Phil" have plunged 27% compared with last season, to an average of 4.5 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's the worst performance by far of any major syndicated talk show this year. By comparison, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" is up 11% to 3 million viewers, while the No. 1 "The Oprah Winfrey Show" — on which Dr. Phil rose to prominence in the late 1990s — has slipped 8% to 6.6 million.   

Worse, "Dr. Phil" has posted its steepest declines among the women who make up his core viewership. The show has lost fully one-third of its women viewers ages 18 to 49, compared with last year (to a current 1.6 rating), largely erasing the program's once-overwhelming advantages against competitors such as "Ellen DeGeneres," "Live With Regis and Kelly" and "Maury."

Asked to comment on the ratings, a spokeswoman for CBS Television Distribution, which syndicates the show, replied with a statement: "We see the ratings decline as a problem shared by the industry." Only 2 out of 12 talk shows have seen ratings gains this year, "so 'Dr. Phil' is not alone," the statement added.  "While 'Dr. Phil' may be facing some decline, it has ranked second only to 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' for 329 out of 330 weeks." This month, "Dr. Phil" has shown some improvement, although its ratings are still not as high as last year's.

The ratings woes for Dr. Phil add to the problems faced by the TV syndication business, whose economy-whipped executives have been gathering in Las Vegas this week for the annual National Assn. of Television Program Executives convention.

— Scott Collins   

(Photo courtesy Michael Yarish / CBS)

 

Comments

[Chris H]

I think people are getting sick of his stunts, his inappropriate publicity grabs (remember the Britney fiasco), and realizing that he's a one-note solution provider. Why do people listen to this guy, who doesn't even have a license (and more) to practice psychology, on TV or anywhere else?!

[buffalo viewer]

I think this show has been hurt most by The Doctors.

Why watch a pretend doctor, who is so full of himself, when you can see a stage full of doctors who possess a little more modesty to go with their vastly superior qualifications.

[Larry David]

I was a regular viewer of the Dr. Phil show until this season. My theory on what happened is that Oprah went on Dr. Phil's show early last season to celebrate herself (of course). She told Dr. Phil that as she got older she didn't want to work as hard on the show, so she figured out that if she brought on really interesting and opinionated guests, they would do all of the talking (and work) while Oprah sat back and watched. Dr. Phil was one of the first of these and quickly became a weekly guest (more recently Oprah brings on Lisa Ling or Suze Orman). So last season Dr. Phil starts copying this strategy and started handing off the show to guests like Bishop T.D. Jakes and "The Doctors". The problem I had with them is that I didn't find them interesting or care what they think. Phil also began doing a lot more shows dealing with politics and current events, something which I think he doesn't know much about so he lets the guests talk more. Where before Dr. Phil did something refreshingly new on TV -- give intelligent psychological advice on people's messed up lives -- now his show is much like all of the other talk shows, complete with polygraph and paternity tests, celebrity gossip, gift giveaways, and blowhard politicians and lawyers. And while Dr. Phil's show has always been about promoting himself and his books, now he also promotes the books and TV projects of his wife, son, and friends. Enough is enough.

[Free World]

Dr. Phil is a fraud! His self absorbed twisted reality of "do as I say not what I do"is finally having the light of truth shined upon it for all to see. Here is some advice for you Dr. Phil; stop acting like a spoiled child and take responsibility for your actions, and treat others as you would like to be treated.

[Arlene]

Dr. Phil is a fraud. He is the one that needs mental help. He should be ashamed of himself.

[mich gal]

I believe that Dr Phil is selective on who he wants to help. I asked for help and he denied me never answered me on why he refused to help me. I believe all the talk show host need a reality check up. I really enjoy Bonnie Hunt she is refreshing and new. keeps things light. I do think what Dr phil is doing for the so called octomom is good setting up a fund for her kids to help them, for that I commend him but he picks and choose who he will help.

[Patricia]

I think Dr. Phil's sinking ratings are a reflection of how he personally has changed since "going Hollywood" Many of his loyal viewers, myself included, appreciated the straightforward comman sense approach he used when first appearing on the scene. He seemed to be "just a guy" who could speak to many of our concerns because he was one of us. Now he has become a stereotype of the Hollywood sellout, with too perfect teeth and fake tan, a botoxed and injected wife who claims it is just her healthy lifestyle and a son who married the requisite playboy bunny. I was really put off by his blatant attempt to manipulate his audience through the octomom. A real snake oil medicine show. Coach her to admit that she was SO WRONG, then ask us all to help her and the children. I will no longer watch his show. His dismal ratings are because his audience is dissappointed at who and what he has become.

[leahfe]

I agree with Patricia 100% I am trying to decide if I want to watch anymore. Enough of the octomom, Dr Phil "promoting" his son's T.V. show and trying to act like he cares about the viewers . If we wanted tabloid garbage we can find that elsewehre. The show he had recently about how to save money in this economy was a big joke. It seemed hypocritical to me considering the way they live...

[MB]

I agree with alot of what others have written about Dr Phil.
His show is all about promoting himself by the way he cannot
practise in the real world because of sexual misconduct. Some of his books are copied from a previous company where he worked, his wife book is also a copy of Suzanne Sommer book on menopause, he constantly promotes his sons especially his oldest son's show The doctors which is also obviously a copy of what Oprah was doing with Dr Oz he just preempted her that is probably why she does not speak to him anymore. And to add to this they had the triplets coming to the show (the playboy playmates triplets) their nude photos in very explicit positions are everywhere on the internet. It is like promoting soft porn on a family medical show. Dr Phil's son is married to one of them, good for him keep her at home. A medical show should be about medical education for the viewers not for promoting the producers'families. Dr Phil is also one of the producer of the doctors show. I cannot wait for the doctor Oz show. MB