Season 18
1Bam Margera rose to fame as the star of the hit MTV series “Jackass,” but now, the reality star has reached out to Dr. Phil with a cry for help. In an emotional interview, Bam faces his mother and wife. Will he agree to go to treatment and get help? In this Dr. Phil exclusive, follow Bam's road to recovery.
2Shirley wrote to Dr. Phil because her husband, Dean, thought he was in direct contact with the country singer, Miranda Lambert. Even though he later found out he’s been scammed by multiple “Miranda” scammers, he says his love for Miranda Lambert did not stop. In fact, he’s doubled down, and now, he says he and Shirley are just roommates. They both say they need Dr. Phil’s help because they want to find out what’s going on in Dean’s head before he goes too far down the rabbit hole of his “obsession” with the star.
3Three moms say they were livestreaming, or posting videos, for what they thought was just their private audience of social media friends -- but they say their videos have now reached over 100 million views combined. Dr. Phil takes a closer look at the stories behind these viral videos to find out why the women's buttons were pushed. First, Karen, a mother of a now 17-year-old, says she went on her daughter's Snapchat after she found her daughter’s boyfriend hiding in her closet! Then, Cassandra, a young mother of two, says she began livestreaming on Facebook to vent after she was very upset after a conversation with police officers and her children’s school. Dr. Phil will also talk to a mother who posted a controversial video when she decided she had enough with her 2-year-old son's picky eating habits!
4Twenty-one-year-old Jessy says she is so consumed with finding social media fame, that she spends over 11 hours a day researching, planning, and taping outrageous, sometimes offensive, content just for “likes” and “follows.” She says when her Instagram was temporarily shut down, her career flashed before her eyes, because she believed she was “nothing without her followers.” Then, Ava, a former guest, returns to the stage to admit that she put on an act to gain followers last season on Dr. Phil. Ava says she didn’t listen to any of Dr. Phil’s advice and had to learn the hard way about the temptations of Insta-Fame. And, Nastassia, a fitness influencer, also weighs in to share her story on how she found Insta-Fame and success at just 19 years old. Will Jessy take the advice from Ava, Nastassia, or Dr. Phil?
5Brittany and Jeramie met in high school and have been in an on-and-off relationship for 18 years, which has led to a tumultuous co-parenting relationship. Within the past year, Jeramie re-connected with an old classmate, Brittney, and moved her into his home. Jeramie has renamed the women “B1” and “B2,” in order to keep them straight. Brittany resents Brittney for “playing mom,” while Jeramie says his girlfriend provides a stable home life that his ex-wife never could.
6Robert says he was only married for 17 days when his wife was found dead in his million-dollar high rise apartment on June 30, 2018. The death was ruled an accident, but Robert now claims he murdered her, and it was premeditated. He says he should be handcuffed and charged with a crime. But Robert claims the police won’t touch him because he comes from wealth, privilege, and power. He says he believes he can get away with murder. What will Dr. Phil think about that? Plus, DailyMailTV host Jesse Palmer gives Dr. Phil viewers a sneak peek of some exclusives from DailyMailTV Season 3
Things get a little wild with a very passionate guest named Wanda. Her daughter, Tiffany, told her mother she ruined her wedding, among many other things. But Wanda says Tiffany is making up lies about her and she knows why; Wanda claims it’s payback for Wanda having an affair and abandoning the family when Tiffany was just 14 years old. Wanda says her bipolar disorder is at fault for her earlier actions. Tiffany says she is sick of her mother blaming her mental health issues for her bad behavior. Tiffany says if Dr. Phil can’t fix this, then her mother is out of her life for good. Can Dr. Phil get this mother-daughter duo to see eye to eye for the first time?
Part two with Wanda and Tiffany gets even more heated when Tiffany’s twin brother accuses their mother, Wanda, of stealing his wife’s wedding rings. Does Wanda have the rings? And if she does, will she hand them over? Plus, find out what Tiffany says to cause her father to jump out of his seat in the audience and make his way up to a chair right next to Wanda. Can Dr. Phil get this family communicating and listening to each other for the first time in the right way? And will Tiffany accept Wanda for her good, her bad, and her bipolar?
The mysterious disappearance of Connecticut mother of five Jennifer Dulos has captured the attention of the media. Dr. Phil is joined by a team of legal and law enforcement experts to analyze the reported circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Watch while Dr. Phil reveals details from the arrest warrants of Jennifer Dulos' estranged husband, Fotis, and his girlfriend, Michelle Troconis: two people who have become the focus of intense media and law enforcement scrutiny in the biggest missing person's case this year.
10E10 · Tragedy in the Tropics
In the past year, headline after headline has reported American tourists becoming violently ill, dying, and even being physically assaulted while vacationing in the tropics. Today, in a daytime exclusive, Dr. Phil speaks with Tammy Lawrence-Daley, who was savagely attacked while staying at a luxury resort in the Dominican Republic, only to be found in a crawlspace, clinging to life eight hours after she disappeared. Find out how Tammy responds to reports that the resort and local law enforcement have doubts about the validity of her attack. Is there a witness who can identify Tammy’s alleged attackers? Plus, Dr. Phil speaks with Dawn, whose husband is one of 12 reported American tourists who have died in the Dominican Republic since June 2018. Find out why she insists her husband did not die of natural causes. Will she learn new details about her husband’s death that could change her mind about how he died?
Princess Diana was one of the most beloved public figures in the world, and her death was a devastating loss. Now, after more than two decades, a private investigator claims he has new clues and information about what really happened when Princess Diana’s car crashed in a Paris tunnel, leading to her tragic death.
E12 · Dr. Phil’s 3,000th Show
After 17 seasons and nearly 20,000 guests, Dr. Phil celebrates his 3,000th episode! Dr. Phil’s studio audience is filled with some of your favorite guests from past seasons. From relationships on the brink of divorce and out-of-control teenagers to guests struggling with deadly addictions and disorders, find out how some of Dr. Phil’s most memorable guests are now. And, you will not believe which former guest surprised everyone with an engagement ring and proposal on Dr. Phil’s stage! Surprise guest messages from Oprah Winfrey, the Jonas Brothers, and more -- hear what they have to say about Dr. Phil’s 3,000th milestone. Plus, find out the surprise that left Dr. Phil nearly speechless!
Many singles these days have fallen victim to the “silent” epidemic that has been sweeping the dating world. Yep, we’re talking about “ghosting.” Ghosting is when someone you’ve been dating ditches you without warning. Poof! Gone! Brittney, who says she’s been ghosted eight times, wants to know why. And Diane and her mother, Marlene, say they were ghosted six months ago by Diane’s live-in boyfriend. Will Dr. Phil be able to conjure up some ghosts to see why they suddenly disappeared on these ladies? And, if one appears, will the ladies like what they hear?
Seventeen-year-old Ronald says he refuses to work and his only source of income is his $1,000 a month allowance from his mother, Tyheisah! Ronald says $1,000 is not nearly enough for his lavish taste, and in order to buy designer goods, he demands that his mother give him a raise! Tyheisah says she is breaking her back working 120 hours a week to afford Ronald’s allowance and fears that if she doesn’t give in to his demands, he will resort to stealing or getting money illegally. Ronald says the only thing he cares about is his money, designer goods, and aspirations to become a “famous YouTuber.” Ronald says he wants Dr. Phil’s help to raise his allowance, but Tyheisah says she wants Dr. Phil to give Ronald a major wake-up call!
Victoria emailed Dr Phil because she says she feels there’s something demonic in her. She also believes she has passed her demons on to her boyfriend, Thomas. They both got an exorcism last February, but they claim it only worked on Thomas. Can Dr. Phil help Victoria?
E16 · MTV Romance on the Rocks
Angela and Nelson, stars of MTV’s dating show Ex On the Beach, say they fell in love during the filming of the reality show. But when Angela and Nelson left the beach house, they say their relationship crashed on the rocks. Now, Angela questions whether her relationship with Nelson was ever real or just for the cameras. Nelson says the only reason their relationship isn’t working is because Angela refuses to forgive him for cheating on her. Things get so heated between the couple that Angela storms off the stage! Is this relationship salvageable? Can Dr. Phil help this volatile couple? Find out!
After storming off, Angela returns to the stage for the conclusion to the battle between the Ex On the Beach costars. Nelson has some serious explaining to do after text messages reveal he has been threatening to release a sex tape he made with Angela. And the drama continues once the guests leave the stage. What did Angela and Nelson reveal about the state of their relationship? Don’t miss it!
Elisha claims her half-sister, Kristina’s, fiancé, Troy, who is 17 years older, is controlling her, "brainwashing" her and alienating her from their family. Elisha and her stepmom, Dawn, say they want Kristina to end her relationship with Troy before she walks down the aisle. Troy denies their claims and says he doesn’t know why there is any drama with Kristina’s family, as he has only met them twice. Kristina says Troy is her rock and wants her family to trust her and her decisions.
Dr. Phil talks to Gen Zers who all have one thing in common: They want to have more social media followers and become “relevant.” Twenty-year-old Telly Zelly says since recently dropping out of college, she is completely devoted to her new career as an aspiring rapper. Telly’s mother, Yowanly, and her aunt, Olga, say Telly’s new attitude does not reflect how she was raised. Telly boasts that when she posted a video of her getting a controversial tattoo on her face, she reached over 5 million views on Twitter alone. Her family wants to know what this outrageous behavior has to do with making music. Later, Dr. Phil meets with 20-year-old Larz and 19-year-old Bameron, who say they go to great lengths to create viral video content. Recently, there was a rash of teens caught stealing ice cream and eating it in stores. Larz and Bameron decided to pull a similar stunt, but they claim they made a video that was “better.” Within six hours after their video was posted, it received 1.3 million views. Dr. Phil encourages these Gen Zers to reach for their goals, but to also think about their future in a “big picture” way.
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Phil speaks with the family of Botham Jean, who was killed by Dallas police officer Amber Guyger in September 2018. Jean’s mother and father, Allison and Bertram, brother Brandt and sister Allisa speak out for the first time together. They open up about Botham’s death, the trial and the recent sentencing of Guyger.
Cheryl and her husband, Danny, claim that their 17-year-old daughter, Becky, was addicted to talking to men online in video game chat rooms and that's where she met and fell in love with a 21-year-old man whom she has never met in person. They say that even though they took away her cell phone, webcam and computer, Becky still has found ways to contact him. Becky’s grandma, Loretta, says that she blames Cheryl and Danny’s bad parenting for Becky’s misbehaving and acting out. Becky says she’s in love and plans to move 3,000 miles away when she turns 18 in a month. She says her parents need to treat her like an adult and let her pursue her own relationship.
Dr. Phil gives advice to guests navigating their careers and lives while dealing with roadblocks. First, meet 26-year-old identical twins, Allie and Lexi Kaplan, who say managing their social media as well as their growing careers as artists is a full-time job. They want to know how they can stop fighting with each other and their manager mom, Amy, as well as how to balance work and fun. Then, meet Mindy. She says while she loves working on her YouTube channel, Mindy Minx, which primarily focuses on giving beauty tips, she doesn’t know how to combat haters who bully her for being married to her husband, Larry, who is 30 years older! Finally, Dr. Phil meets Hattie, an 83-year-old who dates men half her age and says she is working to reverse the public’s negative stereotype of the term “cougar.”
Betty, Kevin and Philip are involved in a love triangle -- however, Betty has been married to Philip for 29 years. Betty claims Philip allowed her to step outside the marriage because he wanted an open marriage, but Philip claims it was her idea. Betty says when she did explore meeting other men, she met and fell in love with Kevin. Philip says he does not want to let the marriage go, but Betty says she has been very unhappy because she claims Philip has been physically and verbally abusive for years. Philip admits he has hurt Betty but claims it was because her behavior made him angry. Betty and Philip’s two daughters, Victoria and Liz, say their parents are hypocrites for raising them to follow the church and act like decent people, and yet, are now doing the complete opposite by having extramarital affairs. Dr. Phil advises how this family can untangle the toxic patterns they have been in for decades. Plus, Dr. Phil meets Susan and Brad Black, who discuss how they successfully navigated through their divorce while continuing to run their company, EO.
Rodney Reed has spent 22 years on death row, and his execution is scheduled for November 20, 2019, but he insists he's innocent and shares with Dr. Phil the evidence he says will clear him; a detective makes a discovery that may change everything;
In part two of Dr. Phil’s interview with death row inmate Rodney Reed, detective Kevin Gannon and victimologist Dr. Lee Gilbertson claim they know how Stacey was killed. What does the victim of this terrible tragedy, Stacey Stites’, family think about Rodney’s plea to save his life? Plus, Rodney tells Dr. Phil that he wants a new trial to prove to the world that he didn’t kill Stacey. He’s got less than six weeks to go before his November 20 date of execution. Will his team be able to save him?
Sixteen-year-old Savannah insists she is just like every other teen her age, smoking marijuana, skipping school, partying with her friends, and even sexting. But Savannah’s mother, Tami, claims her daughter is so out of control, she’s been suspended from school 40 times and parties with gang members, and Tami says she has run out of options to help her. In fact, Tami says in order to keep Savannah safe, she was forced to ship her daughter off to her grandma and grandpa’s house where they keep her under 24/7 house arrest. Will Tami ever allow her daughter to return home? Plus, find out why Dr. Phil questions Tami’s parenting strategy.
Kris says her 28- year-old son, Justin, is on the “fast track to the morgue”! She claims her son is a rageaholic, who has been arrested more than 10 times and has received multiple drunk driving offenses -- including recently. Furthermore, Kris claims her son is abusive to his girlfriend, Hanna, and worries about the safety of their two small children. Kris says she fears getting a call that it's too late to help her son before he, or someone else, winds up six feet under.
Melinda and Amy claim their lives have been turned upside down by a social media influencer and political activist named Paloma, who they say has subjected them to nine months of cyberbullying and harassment. Paloma says they’ve got it all wrong and that she is the victim of their cyberbullying. Who is the real victim? Will Dr. Phil convince these three women to “log off” from each other? Find out in this explosive episode!
The Chrisley family rose to fame on the hit USA show Chrisley Knows Best. But on August 13, 2019, Todd and his wife, Julie Chrisley, were indicted on federal charges of tax evasion and other financial crimes. Now, Todd’s oldest daughter, Lindsie Chrisley, speaks out in an exclusive interview about her shocking allegation that her father threatened to release a sex tape of her. Todd and Julie were recently cleared of their tax evasion charge in the state of Georgia, but their legal troubles aren’t over. Go inside the accusations that have torn this reality show family apart.
E30 · Dying to Be Hot
Brazilian butt lifts, or BBLs as they are also known, are a growing trend -- often with dangerous results. Celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian have countless fans, followers and admirers, but trying to emulate those hourglass figures can have a cost. Dr. Phil interviews the mother and grandfather of Danea Plasencia, who died after a Brazilian Butt lift surgery in Miami earlier this year. Then, Dr. Phil speaks with R&B singer and star of the hit reality show Love & Hip Hop, K. Michelle, about her traumatic experience getting black market butt injections and the numerous surgeries required to help her recover. Plus, Dr. Phil and K. Michelle meet Marlene, who also got black market butt injections and says she doesn’t know exactly what is inside of her. With the help of several doctors, including Dr. Andrew Ordon from The Doctors, Dr. Phil helps Marlene get to the bottom of what is going on medically.
E31 · The Trouble with Taylor
Taylor says she drinks hard liquor every weekend until she “feels it,” and smokes weed and her e-cigarette every day -- and she says she's not going to stop. But it wasn’t her mother, Kim, who emailed about Taylor; it was her 19-year-old sister, Madison. She claims their mother is an enabler who picks up Taylor from parties at 3 a.m. and gives her everything she wants, even when she punches her. And every time Madison tries to step in and be the parent, she says she gets yelled at, punched, shoved and has even been threatened with a knife by her younger sister, who she calls “unruly, ungrateful, and disobedient.” Their father, Troy, has given up, and their mother says she doesn’t know where she went wrong. Will Dr. Phil help this family figure it out?
In a twisted sister family feud, Kayla wrote in desperate for help with her sister, Alicia. Kayla alleges Alicia is a master manipulator who lies, steals, and faked cancer. Alicia denies Kayla’s allegations and says that she hates her sister to death, and her entire family has made her the black sheep. They come together with their father and stepmom for the first time in years on the Dr. Phil stage.
E33 · Extreme Mama’s Boy
Jess says despite a chaotic upbringing, he was able to achieve a 4.0 in college, have a successful life with a nice home and pool, and have a good job. But it all ended five years ago after a bad breakup. Ever since, he has been lying in bed at his mother’s home, not even getting up to use the restroom. He says he lost all coping skills and thinks his mother might like it this way. Can Dr. Phil help Jess get out of bed again? Then, Robert spent most of his 20s incarcerated. He admits he did stupid things in the past, but he wants his mother to know that he’s not a bad guy and he has changed. Lynne says she’s desperate to help her son because if he gets in trouble again, he’s looking at 25-to-life in prison. You won’t want to miss what Robert did right before the show.
DNA results can sometimes cause more conflict than resolution. Amanda wrote in desperate for Dr. Phil’s help after an at-home DNA test led to the discovery of an entirely new biological family. Her search gave her three new sisters and a different biological dad! For the first time, on the Dr. Phil stage, all four sisters and their shared biological father come together to see if they have a deeper connection than simply genetics. Plus: filmmaker Kurt Neal and Annemarie Carrigan join Dr. Phil to discuss the new documentary film, “Normie,” which explores her life and the “illusion of normal” through the lens of Down syndrome.
Dr. Phil takes a closer look at what many call “outrageously lenient sentences” for serious, high-profile crimes. Dr. Phil meets a former superior court judge who lost his job after giving zero jail time to a man who strangled a woman unconscious and threatened to kill her. Also, a rape victim’s mother speaks out for the first time on daytime television about how her daughter’s rapist walked out of court with zero jail time.
Laura says she’s desperately worried about her 19-year-old daughter, Rebecca, because she says she is in a toxic relationship with a rageaholic named Dominick. Laura says Rebecca dropped out of college and left her job to be with her boyfriend 24-7 and says she desperately needs Dr. Phil’s help to break her out of this spell. Dominick says he blames his anger and rage on a lesion on his brain. He also says that screaming fights with his mother, Marianne, make his anger even worse. Is Dominick’s brain to blame for his aggressive behavior? Tune in to find out!
Bree says she is very concerned about her 11-year-old son, JJ’s, extremely violent behavior, which includes threatening to kill her with a steak knife. But Bree says JJ isn’t just acting out at home; his school was forced to implement a safety plan as a result of the 51 disciplinary infractions he’s incurred in the last three years, as well as a plan to harm another student.Bree says her son recently ran away for three days and he posted photos on social media smoking weed and holding a handgun. Find out what happened that has Dr. Phil concerned about the child returning home with his mother.
Monique claims her 23-year-old daughter, Krissy, has an obsession with hoarding hair and is refusing to bathe, claims her daughter denies. She says she also fears for her daughter’s safety since Krissy couch surfs with strangers she meets online. Sunjay, Krissy’s father, says his daughter is in desperate need of Dr. Phil’s help because Krissy suffers from fits of rage. He says his daughter went to jail after stabbing him in the leg. Krissy says she wants a closer relationship with her mom and to get some direction in her life -- but that Monique’s current husband gets in the way.
Opie says her friend, Shane, is living on borrowed time and fears it won’t be long before she gets the call saying he’s dead. She says Shane’s alcohol addiction has caused him to injure himself to the point where his entire face turned black-and-blue. Shane admits he has “busted himself up” from time to time while drinking, but claims he doesn’t know why he drinks. Will Shane finally get the answer he’s looking for?
Steve says his wife, Tamara, went from being a beauty queen competing in the Miss America Pageant and having a career as a local anchorwoman, to dancing in a tutu in the middle of the night. Steve believes his wife’s behavior is a direct result of her dangerously abusing Adderall. Tamara insists she loves Adderall and all the “magical” things it is doing for her life, including allowing her to “give birth to a midlife awakening" and fulfill her fairytale fantasies. Tamara says Steve’s got another thing coming if he thinks shipping her off to rehab will fix her and their marriage. Will she listen to Dr. Phil?
E41 · Torn Between Two Fiancés
Holly says she’s engaged to two men she met online, one from Brazil and the other from Turkey. Her mother, Linda, says she believes they are both in it for the green card but that Keoma, from Brazil, is the worse of her daughter’s two choices. Today, meet Keoma and find out if he’s in the relationship because he loves Holly, or if he’s trying to obtain a green card. Plus, Dr. Phil reveals what a private investigator discovered about Keoma’s past.
E42 · Holly’s Fiancés Face Off
Holly says she’s in love and engaged to two men. But she has never met either one of these men in person, because fiancé number one, Keoma, is from Brazil and living in London, and fiancé number two, Gunes, is Turkish and lives in Ankara. Monday, viewers met Keoma, and Holly’s mother, Linda, said she was not a fan. Now, meet Gunes and find out if Linda is willing to give him her blessing. Then the two men meet for the first time. And, Holly reveals a secret she’s been keeping from both of her fiancés. Will Dr. Phil be OK with Holly marrying one of these men? Or, does he think they just want to use her to get to America?
Dana says her son Chas, who was once a good student, star athlete, and self-professed momma’s boy, is now facing five felony charges. While in police custody, the 17-year-old escaped, causing a manhunt that ended after eight hours. Dana says she is scared and heartbroken because he could be facing 10 years in prison. Chas says he is all about “getting the money” and will “hustle” to get out of the hood. He says he is aware that he is facing serious trouble but says, “If you do the crime, you got to do the time.” Chas Sr. says Dana enables their son. He says he tries to discipline Chas, but Dana always shuts him down. Chas Sr. says that his son is reckless, on an out-of-control path, and if he is not careful, Chas will end up in jail or dead.
The exclusive interview with the Ukrainian orphan who is making headlines. Is she the real life version of the horror movie "Orphan”? Natalia’s adoptive parents have been accused of abandoning her when she was just 9 years old. But they claim Natalia, who has a form of dwarfism, is really a sociopathic adult posing as a child -- who tried to kill them. Natalia speaks out for the first time to Dr. Phil.
Nate says he always knew his mom was a bit “off,” but was completely shocked after returning home four years ago to find his 52-year-old mother, Helen, looking like a frail old woman due to an opioid addiction. Nate says he believes his siblings, Demetria and Alex, could be more aggressive in helping their mother get clean. He also points a finger at his Aunt Joni, who he believes is enabling their mother’s addiction. Helen told Dr. Phil producers she wants to get help for her “medical issues” but is not drug-addicted. The siblings all agree on one thing: they didn't have a solid foundation growing up and are now having a difficult time agreeing on how to support their mother, who they all desperately want to save.
Jennifer says she believes she and Russian President Vladimir Putin are head over heels in love! She says she believes the Lord has shown her that she will soon be Putin’s wife, the Mother of Russia. Jennifer says she’s choosing to be homeless because Putin will be picking her up any day now. Jennifer’s children say they believe their mother is delusional and suffering from a mental illness. They say not only does she believe she’s engaged to Putin, but they claim she insists she has stopped President Trump’s assassination, terrorist plots, and four wars. Will Dr. Phil be able to help bring this family back together? Find out!
Miranda says her mother is controlling, manic, and always nagging her. But Cathy says she has no choice because her 22-year-old daughter is living in her home, fighting, screaming, and drinking. Cathy says she just wants Miranda to think straight and keep a job. Can Dr. Phil help this family end all the drama and chaos in their life?
E48 · Athlete to Addict
Bobby and Renna say their son, Cameron, was a local hero in their small town. They say Cameron was the homecoming king and an all-star football and baseball player with recruiters knocking down his door. But the parents say all that changed in the blink of an eye when injuries destroyed Cameron’s athletic career, and with the injuries came surgeries, and with the surgeries came pain pills. Cameron’s parents say now their son is a heroin-addicted criminal whose dirty needle use left him needing heart surgery to save his life. But, Bobby and Renna admit they are not on the same page on how to save their son. In fact, just four months ago, Bobby gave Renna an ultimatum: stop enabling their son, or she and Cameron needed to move out. Renna says she chose to walk away from her 30-year marriage to save her son. Can Dr. Phil get Renna to stop helping her son kill himself with drugs? Plus, find out the shocking confession Cameron makes to Dr. Phil producers?
A New York man has been charged with second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and child endangerment after the devastating death of his 1-year-old twins. Juan Rodriquez was supposed to drop off the children at daycare, but instead, forgot them for more than eight hours in a hot car while he was at work. In an exclusive interview, the twins’ devastated mother, Marissa Rodriquez, tells her story for the first time. She explains why she is standing by her husband and reveals what she wants other parents to learn from this tragedy. Plus: Dr. Phil shines a spotlight on the search for missing Auburn college student Aniah Blanchard. Her Mother and UFC fighter stepfather plead for her safe return.
Maribeth and John say their 15-year-old daughter, Marie, has become distant, angry, and is no longer the charming honors school student they once knew. They say around one year ago, Marie began running away – appearing in the news and social media – until the police hunted her down! But they claim Marie has continued to act out by selling stolen items, driving her parents’ car without a license, and sneaking out at all hours of the night. So, Maribeth and John installed surveillance cameras, bolted Marie’s window shut, and took away her phone. But Marie disappeared again, and this time when she returned, she said she was pregnant.
Today, meet 15-year-old Marie, who has told her parents she is now pregnant after running away three times. Dr. Phil confronts Marie about making sure she is following a prenatal regimen and asks her what her future plan is for her unborn child. Marie claims she knows who her baby’s father is and has a plan. Then, Dr. Phil asks her to take a pregnancy test so that everyone can determine what her next step should be. Finally, Marie and her parents, John and Maribeth, discuss the pregnancy results and what is going to happen for everyone as a family.
Amanda Knox spent four years locked in an Italian prison for the murder of her British roommate Meredith Kercher. Dubbed “Foxy Knoxy” by the press, she became one of the most famous cases of wrongful conviction.
Alex says he will do absolutely anything to live his “bad and boujee” lifestyle. He admits he lies, cheats, and steals thousands of dollars from friends, family, and even strangers, just so he can live a lifestyle which includes shopping, tanning, and getting his hair done. Alex says he wants to become famous for his “twerking videos,” but until then, he believes his family should be taking care of him because he’s “just 26-years-old!” Alex’s mother, Kimberly, and sister, Elizabeth, say nothing about Alex’s life is glamorous. They claim Alex shows no remorse for any of his actions, even though he has stolen so much from his mother that she claims she will be homeless within the year! Can Dr. Phil get through to Alex? Will Alex ever change his “bad and boujee” ways? Find out!
Brooklyn, Arjun, and Andy all say they had the terrifying experience of having their smart home devices hacked: Brooklyn had complete strangers talking to her 8-year-old daughter, and Arjun’s smart thermostat was raised to 90 degrees while his 7-month-old son was asleep. In a surprising twist, also meet Hank, who hacked Andy’s system. Learn why he says he did it, and get a chance to see this scary situation from a hacker’s point of view. Then, cybersecurity expert and “the world’s most famous hacker” Kevin Mitnick demonstrates some methods hackers use to access sensitive information, and gives valuable tips to keep yourself safe in the cyberworld.
Tony and Heather claim their 17-year-old daughter, Rae, has violent meltdowns that have ended with police intervention as many as 80 times! But that’s not all; they also say Rae is claiming she’s pregnant. Rae spent the morning before taping Dr. Phil, barricading her terminally ill mother in a car. Will this family ever make it to stage for Dr. Phil to help them? Find out! .
After resisting all morning, Rae finally makes her way to the Dr. Phil stage. She claims her parents not only ignore her, but her mother’s illness and father’s alcoholism and physical abuse are the main reasons for her out-of-control anger. What happens when Rae refuses to go for treatment? You do not want to miss how this out-of-control teen drama ends!
Nicole says she thought she knew her husband of nearly 20 years, Carter, but all that changed when Nicole uncovered a secret her husband has been hiding for years. Nicole says 12 days ago, she discovered that Carter has been having a nearly four-year sexual affair with a man. Even though Carter insists he has told Nicole everything, she is adamant that she believes there is more her husband is hiding. Find out the shocking results a private investigator revealed to Dr. Phil about the man Carter has been having an affair with.
Crystal says her son is a troubled, marijuana selling, smoking and vaping teen who is headed to prison or the grave. She runs a sober living house but says she can’t seem to practice the tough love she preaches on her son, Dominique, who went from honor roll student and varsity basketball player to high school dropout. Dominique turns 18 in just a couple of weeks, and the family is trying desperately to give him a wake-up call before it is too late.
Jacob’s son Blake was burned at 2 1/2 years old on a treadmill in his sister Ellen’s home at Thanksgiving in 2014. Jacob claims Ellen was 100% responsible for his son’s injuries and scars. Jacob’s wife, Beth, says that their family was uninvited to further Thanksgivings by Ellen. Ellen says that she never uninvited Jacob and his family, is not responsible for Blake’s injuries and says that in the four-and-a-half years Jacob has held this grudge, Blake hasn’t developed scars. Ellen and Jacob’s brother, Ed, says that he’s tried to play mediator, but after Jacob went on a social media rant in February 2019, rehashing the accident and continuing to blame Ellen, he knew that this unhealthy family feud needed bigger help. Can Dr. Phil help these siblings mend fences?
Today, an unsolved murder and the plot to cover it up! Police say Shannon Ivey was murdered sometime in 2016, but his body was not found until 2018. His body had been wrapped in a carpet and kept in a cold, dark storage unit, mummifying for nearly two years. But his family didn’t suspect a thing and never reported him missing. That’s because Shannon’s family believes not only did his then-wife, Toni, shoot Shannon in the back of the head, but they claim she then tricked everyone into believing he was still alive by impersonating him via email and text. Shannon’s son, Lance, says he hasn’t been the same since learning of his father's death and is still completely obsessed with the case. Lance says he is riddled with guilt and believes his choice to join the Navy was the literal nail in his father’s coffin. His mother, Melanie, says Lance just needs to move on, but Lance says that’s not possible until he figures out why on earth his stepmother murdered his father. You don’t want to miss this one!
Robin wrote in to the show desperate for help for her husband, Mike. She says it’s urgent because she is ready to leave her husband if he won’t get help with his severe OCD. Robin says she’s set a deadline, and if he doesn’t get help, she’s out of his life and he may be out on the streets. Mike says his OCD has taken over his life and he’s a prisoner in his own head. He says he spends his life living in torment, but he’s willing to do anything to keep Robin in his life.
E62 · Battle of the Exes
Mike and his fiancé, Julia, claim that ever since their engagement, Mike’s ex-wife, Christy, has become “crazy with jealousy” and has been stalking and harassing them. They claim Christy has sent the police to their house over 20 times for no reason and even sent them to Mike and Christy’s son’s football practice! Christy denies their allegations and claims, instead, that her ex-husband is an irresponsible, overbearing, narcissist, who is poisoning their son against her. She says she couldn’t care less about Mike and his new “90-day fiancé,” Julia. Christy says she’s not stalking or harassing them, and has only used the police to ensure she receives her court-ordered weekends with her son. Can Dr. Phil help these battling exes come to a truce? Find out!
Vicki says her 23-year-old granddaughter, Alexis, is accused of going on a crime spree across two states with a 30-year-old man named Lance, whom she met only four months ago. According to authorities, Lance was caught on a store security camera robbing a clerk with a gun, while Alexis waited for him in a stolen car. Stacey, Alexis’ mom, says Alexis completely changed when she met Lance. She says Alexis and Lance are accused of going through seven counties and stealing five cars before their arrest. Alexis says she will stand by Lance because he gave her love and acceptance after everything that has happened to her after she was raped three years ago. She says she is engaged to Lance and is willing to wait until he gets out of prison.
Ex-USA Gymnastics National Team and Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of child pornography and 10 counts of criminal sexual conduct and will spend the rest of his life in prison after hundreds of people – mostly young women – came forward about his abuse under the guise of “treatment.” In a Dr. Phil exclusive, two young women, Emma Ann and Grace, speak out for the first time on television about their experience with Larry Nassar. Also, hear from the controversial judge, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who said she signed Nassar’s “death warrant,” the attorney, Jamie White, who got a $500 million settlement from MSU, and an author, Abigail Pesta, who is making sure no one forgets this unprecedented crime with her book, The Girls: An All-American Town, a Predatory Doctor, and the Untold Story of the Gymnasts Who Brought Him Down.
The heartbreaking case of a missing little girl who vanished without a trace. Five-year-old Dulce Maria Alvarez disappeared more than two months ago, reportedly while playing in a New Jersey park as her mother sat in a car nearby. In an exclusive interview, her mother speaks out. What does she know?
With advances in DNA technology, the exposure of so-called “fertility fraud” is on the rise. There are currently close to 70 children biologically linked to former fertility doctor Donald Cline, who used his own sperm to impregnate patients without their knowledge. These children are left to pick up the pieces after learning that he is their biological father -- not the person who raised them. Five of the children come together to ask Dr. Phil how they can move forward with their lives.
Morgan claims that last year, her mother, Liz, stole her two children right out from under her and says she has no idea why. Morgan’s mother, Liz, claims she had no choice but to seek custody because Morgan is addicted to ADHD medication, hears voices, and hid a fugitive in her home for 11 days! Morgan denies that she has an addiction and says she is only taking what is prescribed to her. But Morgan’s mother and her best friend, Amy, believe Morgan’s prescription drug abuse is what caused what they call her “psychotic break.”
E68 · Pedophile Hunters
There’s a social media phenomenon happening: vigilante “pedophile hunters.” Tony, from New York, says he’s a plumber by day … and a “pedophile hunter” by night! He and two other “hunters,” Jesse and Josh, join Dr. Phil to discuss how they claim they risk their lives each night by using "decoys” to lure suspected pedophiles to a public location where they confront them while livestreaming their “stings”! Are the pedophile hunters modern-day heroes or dangerous vigilantes?
In part 2, find out what happens when vigilante “pedophile hunters,” Tony, Jesse, Josh, and former pedophile hunter Shane come face-to-face with a man who says he has falsely accused him of wanting to have sex with a 15-year-old child. Peter says his and his wife’s lives were turned upside down by a vigilante pedophile hunter group that publicly shamed him online.
A gruesome death in the Alaskan wilderness -- an unsuspecting teen is allegedly lured into the woods and murdered by her best friend. The alleged motive? A mystery man who was posing online as a handsome millionaire and offering money for murder on video. It’s a story full of dark twists and turns. In an exclusive interview, the father on a relentless quest for justice for his daughter speaks out.
Jaclin says she has been living a nightmare since she lost her 11-month-old daughter, Madalin, 10 years ago, when she accidentally suffocated while sleeping in the same bed with Jaclin and her boyfriend, Justin. Jaclin says she has become a “ticking time bomb” and looks for ways to punish herself for what happened to Madalin. Justin, who says he’s been with Jaclin since high school, says they both blame each other for their daughter's death. Justin says they talk about marriage, but there is no way he can marry Jaclin in the state she is in now. Alicia says she has been friends with both Justin and Jaclin since high school, and their relationship has always been tumultuous. Alicia says Justin and Jaclin are both still in pain and need help.
E72 · Breakup, Breakdown
Melanie emailed Dr. Phil saying her relationship with her 15-year-old daughter, Elena, is strained because Elena has been disobedient, grouchy and mean since her boyfriend broke up with her recently. Elena admits she’s miserable and says she’s disappointed she didn’t do enough to keep him. The breakup was so hard on Elena that she quit regular school and says she would rather go back to a mental health facility than see the boy who dumped her. Then, LaTonya emailed Dr. Phil saying she was pursuing her dreams in a big city, and everything was going her way until her boyfriend, Randy, cheated and then dumped her. Randy admits he was seeing several women and that he was never LaTonya’s boyfriend -- he just made her think he was. Can Dr. Phil help these heartbroken women?
Roberto and Teresa say their 32-year-old son, Alex, is lazy, unemployable, angry, and abuses alcohol and marijuana. Alex’s siblings, Rob and Stephanie, say that while Alex definitely doesn’t have his life together, their parents are the ones enabling him by bankrolling Alex’s self-destruction. After an explosive altercation just six months ago that ended with Alex assaulting both his parents, Teresa kicked him out of her house but continues to pay his rent. Can Dr. Phil get this family to face their issues head-on?
Jeanine and Nathan say they thought it would be mutually beneficial to have Jeanine’s 70-year-old mother, Liz, live with them when she couldn’t afford her building’s rent increase. But Liz says she was not prepared for what she calls their “dirty home,” which led to her complaining to others about the living conditions, and then led to CPS opening an investigation. Jeanine and Nathan then kicked out Liz. Liz claims that as a result of her daughter’s actions, she is homeless and living in her car. Jeanine and Nathan say they have not spoken to Liz until seeing her at the show. Dr. Phil works to find out why exactly CPS was initially called and if something can be done about Liz’s homelessness.
Tyler’s grandmother was a mystery to him until today. She walked out of his father’s life 43 years ago when he was just a toddler. His father took his own life in 2015 and never got to see his mother again, something he always struggled with. Troy Dunn, The Locator, was able to solve this mystery for Tyler and reunites him with family members he didn’t even know existed. You won’t want to miss as Dr. Phil helps Tyler through this emotional roller-coaster.
Doug says he and his ex-wife, Amy, have been living in the same house since their recent divorce so they can co-parent their two children. He says it wasn’t his idea to end the marriage – and he wants his wife back. He blames his former steroid addiction for causing him to have an affair with an 18-year-old cheerleader. Amy claims Doug was always an abusive husband, and steroids only made it worse. She says Doug is using their children to manipulate her and pressure her to reconcile. She says she’s done with the marriage and wants nothing from Doug except to co-parent.
Emma claims she’s so angry with her grandson, Jordan, that she says she could, “Kill him, the next time I see him!” Emma says that her grandson nearly beat-to-death his then 1-month-old daughter, Leigh, who suffered multiple life-threatening injuries, but by a miracle, survived. Emma says despite her grandson being locked up, she is still concerned for Leigh’s well-being, because her daughter, Jenny, adopted the child, and she fears that despite legal orders, Jenny may be allowing Jordan to have contact with her, a claim Jenny adamantly denies.
Tina went from being a certified nursing assistant to living in her car for over a year. She says things haven’t improved since September 2018 because no one, not even her own children, have been able to meet her half way and help her get better. Her children, Elmer and Vanessa, both claim their mom is spiraling out of control, acting violently toward law enforcement, and refusing any type of treatment. They say the only person Tina might listen to is Dr. Phil.
Liz says she spends 11 to 13 hours a day jogging around her coffee table until she reaches 100,000 steps on her Fitbit – the equivalent of 50 miles a day – every day. Her mother, Karen, says Liz has no life, career or hobbies and is afraid Liz is ruining her body and could also be ruining her marriage by keeping up her step obsession. Can Dr. Phil help Liz identify the reason for her unusual compulsion? Then, musical artist Oli London says he has spent the last six years of his life transforming himself inside and out into the “perfect” K-pop idol. He’s undergone 15 procedures and has spent over $150,000 on plastic surgery – even going so far as to have five facial surgeries in one day – in order to look like Jimin from the K-pop group BTS. His best friends, Frenchy and Vicky, say they are scared that Oli’s reckless pursuit of K-pop perfection could cost him his life and want Dr. Phil’s help getting through to Oli.
Alisha says her 10-year-old son, Kevin, is pushing his family to their limits of tolerance as they live in fear of his next violent outburst. They currently have to hide all the knives and lighters in the house, and his other siblings have to barricade themselves in their rooms at night when he flies into a rage. Alisha says she’s more frightened of the future Kevin hurting her entire family or ending someone’s life one day. She says Dr. Phil is her last hope to control her son’s behavior before it’s too late.
Pastor Ronald Williams and his late wife, Patti, founded Hephzibah House in 1971, a Christian boarding school for teen girls. Kalie, Susan, and Gabby say they want to raise awareness about Hephzibah House, where they claim they experienced abuse that still haunts them to this day. But Lucinda, another former student, is defending the work she says Pastor Williams has done at Hephzibah House. For the first time ever, Ben, the founder’s son, speaks out. You won’t want to miss this episode.
Kalie, Susan, and Gabby say they want to shutdown Hephzibah House, a Christian boarding school they were forced to attend as teens. They say they believe the girls in that home are at great risk, but another former student, Lucinda, says these women need to stop all the allegations because the home was a safe haven for her and many other girls. You won’t want to miss this conclusion as a former volunteer staff member joins the conversation.
Nick claims his 41-year-old sister, Jennifer, is a bad parent who prioritizes partying over parenting her 13-year-old daughter. Nick says ever since Jennifer divorced her husband, Ben, her parenting skills have spiraled out of control, resulting in a long list of worrying behaviors from their daughter, including violence and self-harm. Julie, Ben’s girlfriend, claims his daughter would be much happier away from her mother and living with them. Jennifer says she is sick and tired of being made out to be a bad mom and claims Ben has no idea how hard she has it as a single mother. Jennifer says she’s through being ganged up on by Ben, his girlfriend, and her brother, and wants Dr. Phil’s help to prove she is not the problem here. Can Dr. Phil convince this divorced couple to co-parent in harmony? Tune in to find out!
In May 2012, Mistie, a mom and housewife of 15 years, made national headlines when she was arrested and convicted of having a sexual relationship with her teenage son, whom she did not raise. The story sparked widespread outrage, and Mistie spent almost five years in prison for her crime. Now, out of prison, Mistie tells Dr. Phil her story in her first-ever television interview. Watch when Mistie breaks down while reliving the moment she met her son for the first time since walking out of his life over 15 years prior. Can Dr. Phil help Mistie put her trauma behind her so she can heal from her chaotic past? Tune in to find out!
Are we too sensitive as a society, or do words really matter? People are eager to give their opinion; but sometimes, there are real consequences, including losing your entire career with just one tweet. Kathy won Miss Michigan 2019 but got her crown removed the day after because of comments she made on social media which the pageant deemed offensive, insensitive, and inappropriate. Then, Carissa was on her way to an international modeling career when posts labeled as transphobic derailed her dreams. She even lied about being transgender herself. Can Dr. Phil help these 20-year-olds come out of their PR nightmare, or will they stand by their social media comments?
Eighteen-year-old Brooklyn says she is sick and tired of her mother butting into her love life and trying to ruin her relationship with her boyfriend, Eric. Brooklyn’s mother, Courtney, admits she wants nothing more than to see them apart, but that’s only because Brooklyn’s boyfriend has two children and a wife. Brooklyn says her mother needs to back off, or she will have no other choice than to file a restraining order against her for harassment. Eric’s wife, Mandy, says she wants Brooklyn to leave her husband alone. She says she’s here to fight for her marriage.
Jason says his 16-year-old daughter refuses to talk to him because he is a disciplinarian, while his ex-wife, Tina, refuses to be a parent. He says their daughter is so entitled, she runs the house – and Tina has allowed it. Tina says her relationship with Jason has always been dysfunctional and toxic, and they constantly fight and argue. She says Jason has even put up seven cameras around the outside of her house to watch her and her daughter and listen to their conversations. Jason’s mom, Patricia, says Tina gives her daughter anything she wants, and it’s her fault that her daughter has become violent and irresponsible.
Dr. Phil continues his conversation with Jason, who says his 16-year-old daughter won’t talk to him, and his ex-wife, Tina, refuses to be a parent. Their daughter claims Jason has followed her and tried to fight her friend. She says she’s ready to confront her dad on Dr. Phil’s stage about how she ended up with a black eye and busted lip during an argument with him. Jason adamantly denies hurting his daughter. Tina claims Jason and his mother, Patricia, make the situation worse by always exerting their power over Tina and their daughter’s living situation, including Jason installing cameras around the house they live in which Patricia owns. Patricia claims Tina always plays the victim and is the reason why her granddaughter is out of control.
A high school cheerleader tried to hire “hit men” to kill her parents. Why did the teen want them dead? Her parents speak out in an exclusive interview. Will she face decades in prison, or can she be rehabilitated?
Loni emailed Dr. Phil multiple times saying her fiancé, Dustin, goes from sweet to furious in a split second, and has called her names in front of their 3-year-old daughter. His family questions why she stays -- but she says he just gets like that because he often drinks 12 beers a night and 60 over the weekend. Dustin admits he’s an alcoholic but he says the problem is that he lives in a state of boredom, so he turns on Dr. Phil and starts drinking until he passes out. Can Dr. Phil help Dustin acknowledge he has a problem?
Linda and Chuck say their 17-year-old son, Mike, refuses to take “no” for an answer. They say he refuses to follow their rules, go to school, or grow up! Linda and Chuck claim they have done everything possible to discipline their son, but nothing seems to work. Mike says he’s not the one who needs the help. In fact, he says his own mother is the one who needs to be "smacked in the face" with reality! Is Mike an out-of-control teen, or does his mother know exactly how to push his buttons?
Ariana’s father was killed five years ago, and she claims ever since that day, her mother, Jodi, checked out completely as a parent and started dating and going out, leaving her to raise her destructive and violent 9- and 12-year-old brothers. Ariana claims her brothers’ behavior is so out of control that one of them killed the family dog, and the other gets strip-searched for weapons at school every day. Jodi says she always has her children’s best interest in mind, but Ariana says that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Marcy and Todd say their 71-year-old mother, Renee, may be married to their stepfather, Harold, but that hasn’t stopped her from giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars to an online scammer who Renee says she is in love with. Renee, a retired mortgage banker, says her children live in another state and don’t have the first clue about her relationship with “Thomas" or “Tom Nunez Hughs,” who is handsome and wealthy but unfortunately is stuck in South Africa. Renee says her boyfriend is the most romantic man she has ever met, even more so than her husband, who she plans to divorce once “Thomas Hughs” returns to the U.S. Marcy and Todd say their mother’s obsession has escalated to frightening proportions. Now, Marcy has disinvited her mother to her wedding because Renee is completely absorbed in her relationship with this catfish. And, Todd says he has not spoken to his mother in two years because she only wants money from him to give to her online lover. As Dr. Phil investigates Renee’s love life, she learns essential information about “Thomas Nunez Hughs.”
Four children have been removed from what Lee County District Attorney is calling a real-life house of horrors. The children’s great-grandparents, Pamela and James Bond, and their mother, Kylla Mann, were arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse and reckless endangerment. In an exclusive interview, the children’s family speaks out for the first time about what they claim really happened inside those walls.
Anita says two years ago, after graduating from NYU, her 24-year-old son, Orrin, suddenly announced that he is, and always has been, a mechanized cyborg from the year 2050! Orrin says he’s part of a “collective intelligence” who was sent back in time by “higher beings” to warn humanity of the upcoming apocalypse. In order to spread his message, Orrin says he created a hip hop artist persona to gain followers on social media for his cause. Anita says she believes Orrin is using his cyborg persona as an excuse to live in her house and mooch off of her. She says Orrin needs to get a paying job before worrying about the future destruction of humanity. Can Dr. Phil convince Orrin he’s not a cyborg, or at the very least, to get a job? Find out!
E96 · A House of Addicts
Mary and her husband, Michael, say they are worried about losing their daughter, Shayne, to a drug overdose. They already lost one daughter to an overdose in 2011, and are worried about history repeating itself. Shayne’s sister, Shelby, admits to having had an addiction in the past, and now that she's sober, she wants Shayne to get clean. The family says their biggest fear is finding Shayne dead from using drugs in her home, which is cluttered due to hoarding.
Shayne is ready to face her family about her drug addiction, and to confront her sister, Shelby, who she feels is at least partly to blame for their sister’s death. The sisters' parents, Mary and Michael, say they hope Shelby and Shayne can work through their issues, and that Shayne finally realizes she has a serious drug addiction and needs help.
Janene claims her daughter Taylor is a “pathological liar” who has faked 10 previous pregnancies. However, a sonogram convinced her that Taylor was finally telling the truth about her latest “pregnancy,” so much so, that she threw her daughter a gender reveal party and baby shower. After nine months of allegedly being pregnant, Taylor told the family she miscarried. Janene and Taylor’s younger sister, Breanna, now believe Taylor was never pregnant and faked her miscarriage, too. Taylor says she’s come to Dr. Phil to come clean to her family and tell them the truth about her latest pregnancy. Was she ever really pregnant as she claims? Dr. Phil investigates and learns the shocking truth. Don’t miss it!
Lydia says she is living in her dream home with a spectacular view that reminds her of Italy and of being in love. She says she has it all: a happy second marriage, money to have hired help, and her adult daughter, Lori, living in her basement. But Lydia’s other daughter, Kim, emailed Dr. Phil because she says she’s terrified that not only is she going to inherit her mother’s overcrowded and messy mansion, but also her sister. Can Dr. Phil help Lori get out of her mother’s basement before it’s too late? You won’t want to miss this!
Alyssa, Amanda, and their brother, Dylan, say they live in fear of their 25-year-old brother, Ryan, who turns into a monster, destroying whatever is in his path if he doesn’t get what he wants, which mainly includes: spending money, his favorite meals and a continuous supply of marijuana. The family says when Ryan rages, he will kick holes in walls, punch doors, destroy furniture, and scream at the top of his lungs. They say Ryan has even terrified Alyssa so badly that she hid in her closet with her dog and a Taser! But despite all of Ryan’s acts of intimidation, his siblings and their mother, Erika, admit to giving into almost all of Ryan’s demands to make sure he is kept happy. But is Ryan “happy?” Dr. Phil talks with Ryan and learns more about what is going on behind his violent rages that go on at home.
E101 · "A Monster In The Media?”
Dr. Phil Exclusive: Lovie says on New Year’s Day 2020, a video of her son, Darnell, went viral on the news where he is shown attacking his ex-girlfriend and dragging her back to his vehicle. Lovie says the man in the video is not the son she raised and says if Darnell wasn’t drinking that night, this would have never happened. Darnell says he doesn’t recognize himself in the video and says he wants to apologize to the world for what he has done. Brianna, the sister of the woman in the video, shares her side of the story, and claims the attack caught on camera was just one of three assaults her sister endured that night. However, Darnell says he does not remember what happened that night.
Robert, a retired professor, says he began dating again as his 40-year marriage to his then-wife, Jeremi, began to unravel three years ago. Now, he says he is currently focused on five women, but he admits he's never met any of them in person. Jeremi says she is furious because first, Robert lost all of their $1 million retirement savings on day trading and now, he's giving money away to these women, who she insists are catfish. Robert admits he may have made some mistakes but says now that he’s in the online dating world, he’s smart enough to know how to figure out who is and isn’t a scammer. But is he? Dr. Phil starts to put the pieces of the puzzle together to find out what’s really going on.
Dr. Phil continues the search to help unravel the puzzle of what’s really going on with Robert and the women he thinks he’s dating online. Now, the investigation goes across the country to various locales to track down and verify information Robert says he’s gotten from his “girlfriends.”
Multiple families are believed to have been targeted by an adoption imposter who finds couples online and tricks them into believing she has a baby for them, only to disappear days or weeks down the line with no explanation. Dr. Phil meets Amy and Kylie who run an adoption website and say their clients are terrified of becoming victims of this scheme. Dr. Phil also meets Lauren and Julio, who were duped by this imposter, and Kyndra, whose identity was stolen. Will Dr. Phil get to the bottom of who is doing this and why? Tune in to find out!
Dr. Phil meets Gabby, the woman who has been victimizing couples across America by promising them a baby to adopt that does not exist. Watch while Gabby comes face to face with some of her victims. Will today be the day that Gabby ends her deceptions? Tune in to find out!
Parents Liz and Jim say their 16-year-old son, Nic, has a serious drug problem that has such a hold on him, they claim he even stole $75,000 in gold from his parents’ safe and spent it all on drugs! But, Liz says she is convinced that her husband is to blame. Liz accuses Jim of being a narcissist and misogynist, whose parenting philosophy is based on intimidation and abuse, and claims that is what drove their son to drugs. Jim denies Liz’s allegations, claiming she has gone to great lengths to paint him as a villain. He says she is the major problem, and calls her the world's lousiest parent and a doormat who helped enable Nic's deadly addictions.
Dr. Phil continues to speak with parents, Liz and Jim, about why each blames the other for their son’s drug addiction. Liz says she blames what she calls Jim’s abusive parenting philosophy for their son retreating to drugs, which Jim vehemently denies. Jim claims his wife has gone to great lengths to paint him as the villain, but says, “Liz is the world’s lousiest parent." Find out what happens when Jim faces his daughter, Chloe, and son, Nic. Will they support their mother’s accusations against their father?
Today, a transformation like you would not believe! At 26 years old, David was 600 pounds. At 31, David started exercising and eating right, and without gastric bypass surgery, David says he went from a dud to a stud losing 400 pounds in two years! However, David has transformed himself again, and now, the 43-year-old weighs 656 pounds. David says something happened to him when he was young, and it could be the reason why he can’t keep the weight off. David’s younger sister, Jen, and David’s father say they’re afraid David is going to die soon, and Dr. Phil is his only hope for help.
Hailey Burns was only 16 years old when she disappeared from her home in North Carolina. After 399 days, she was found, reportedly malnourished and confined behind a gate in the bedroom of a 31-year-old man she met online. The man, Michael Wysolovski, insisted he was helping Hailey, and their BDSM relationship was consensual. In a daytime exclusive, Hailey tells her story. Admitting that she went with Wysolovski willingly, she claims their 399 days together included non-consensual acts, and she is struggling to deal with the aftermath of her experience.
Dr. Phil meets a family of lawyers torn apart by a dark accusation. Heather claims to have been raped by her father and alleges that a video of the rape was then sold on the dark web for millions of dollars. Heather’s father, sister Jennifer, and niece Amanda all claim that this is a terrible, damaging lie – one of many told by Heather over the years -- but what is the truth of the matter? Does Heather produce evidence to support her claims? Tune in to find out!
Kathi says she lives in fear of her 14-year-old son, Nico, who plays video games up to 17 hours a day, has stolen his mom’s credit card and charged thousands to buy tokens for his games, and only went to school six days this year before refusing to attend because he wants to stay at home and game. Kathi says Nico’s violent outbursts are becoming exceedingly dangerous, and when she tries to get Nico to put down his video game controls, he rages, curses, and terrorizes the household. Kathi says Nico learned his violent behavior from his father, Evo, and Evo agrees. He says he is the ultimate sucker for his son even though Nico threatens his parents’ lives almost daily.
Time is of the essence for Cindy. Her daughter, Cheyenne, is a 24-year-old-college student and also her primary caretaker and sole financial supporter. Cheyenne’s boyfriend, Blake, calls Cheyenne Cinderella and wants to propose, but he says he doesn’t want Cindy ruling their future. Cheyenne says she will no longer be able to support her 56-year-old mom in five months when her college loans run out. The clock is ticking for Cheyenne and Cindy to find a way to both stand on their own.
Siblings Kristle, Kayla, and Patrick all claim their mother Sherry is out of control. They say she’s blown through an inheritance worth over a quarter of a million dollars in the past 11 months by running up $500 bar tabs with her friends and strangers, and buying lavish things, like multiple motorcycles. But that’s not all. These adult children claim Sherry is popping non-prescribed pills and washing them down with rum after work. They claim her behavior has even become violent, including pulling out a loaded gun during an argument with Kayla on Christmas Eve. Sherry admits she spent the inheritance and pulled out the gun, but says abusing pills and alcohol is all in her past.
It's a mystery that has America baffled. An Idaho teenager and her younger brother with special needs vanish and haven't been seen by anyone since late September, 2019. Their mother, Lori Vallow, has been arrested in Hawaii, but isn't cooperating with authorities. Adding to the mystery, four untimely deaths surround Lori and her newest husband, Chad Daybell, yet Lori refuses to say a single word regarding her children’s whereabouts. How could 17-year-old Tylee and 7-year-old JJ have gone missing without a trace? Today, the children's family members speak to Dr. Phil. Don’t miss it!
Jessica says she believed that once she married her Prince Charming, Jerry, she would never have to work as an escort again. Well, flash forward 27 years later, and Jessica is still keeping men company for money! Her husband, Jerry, says he is just fine with Jessica’s profession, but claims that he and Jessica are on the verge of divorce because Jessica doesn’t trust him and thinks he’s cheating on her! Jessica claims her husband is a lying, uncaring, unsympathetic psychopath, as she has been abused multiple times by her clients. Can Dr. Phil help save this atypical marriage? Find out!
E116 · “Drunk and in Denial”
Three siblings, Ashley, Marena, and Tony, have come together to confront their mother, Traci, who they claim is a raging alcoholic. They accuse Traci of drinking six-to-seven nights a week and refusing to acknowledge or believe she has a drinking problem. Traci’s boyfriend, Jeff, says Traci is absolutely not an alcoholic, she just drinks because she is constantly stressed out by her children! Tony and Marena refuse to allow Traci to see her grandchildren until Traci admits that she has a problem. Are Traci’s children overreacting, or does Traci have a serious problem that needs to be addressed?
Dr. Phil investigates a controversial new law known as "bail reform," where judges will no longer have the power to set bail for a long list of misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. Dr. Phil meets two esteemed judges, Rosemarie Aquilina and Darrell Jordan, who are in strong opposition to each other on this issue. Then, hear from Akeem Browder, whose brother Kalief took his own life after spending three years in a violent jail for a crime he did not commit because he could not afford bail, and a woman whose nephew died in a car accident caused by a drunk driver who was released from jail weeks after his arrest. Plus, Duane Chapman, aka “Dog The Bounty Hunter,” who strongly opposes the new law claiming it favors criminals over the safety of the general public, will join the conversation. How will bail reform affect the average citizen? Tune in to find out!
JenaLeigh’s brother, Wade, had a surprise baby with his ex-girlfriend, Margaret. JenaLeigh and her mother, Jeanne, say they are now worried about the baby’s safety because they claim his parents have a physically and verbally abusive relationship. And, to top it off, Wade is being evicted from the home he rents from his uncle, John, who claims Wade has turned it into a disaster. Can Dr. Phil help these young parents at war?
Medical workers on the frontlines are fighting the coronavirus and risking their own lives in the process of curbing some of the damage in this pandemic. Dr. Phil delves into how this is impacting all aspects of the medical community. He speaks with a doctor in the trenches of the ICU, and a nurse in the labor ward who can’t practice social distancing. Plus, hear how New York nurses are doing in the eye of the virus’ storm.
Nate says he always knew his mom was a bit “off,” but was completely shocked after returning home four years ago to find his 52-year-old mother, Helen, looking like a frail old woman due to an opioid addiction. Nate says he believes his siblings, Demetria and Alex, could be more aggressive in helping their mother get clean. He also points a finger at his Aunt Joni, who he believes is enabling their mother’s addiction. Helen told Dr. Phil producers she wants to get help for her “medical issues” but is not drug-addicted. The siblings all agree on one thing: they didn't have a solid foundation growing up and are now having a difficult time agreeing on how to support their mother, who they all desperately want to save.
Sharon says her 15-year-old son, Gabe, a childhood cancer survivor, has been in trouble with the law since he got arrested at age 12 and is now hanging out with alleged gang members. Gabe’s dad, Jason, claims his wife sinks to Gabe’s level and doesn’t understand Gabe is who he is and can’t be forced to change. Gabe’s older brother, Jadian, says his parents allow Gabe to manipulate them. Sharon’s best friend, Rosalie, says both Sharon and Jason blame Gabe’s cancer for his behavioral problems. Gabe says he likes to hang out with his “homies” and says his mom gets too emotional about everything he does.
Heather claims her 14-year-old son, Jason, is completely out of control, runs away, refuses to go to school, steals, attacks police officers, and has even punched her in the face. Even worse, she claims he recently was involved in a shooting that led to her eviction! Heather’s sister, Amber, claims her sister is a terrible parent who ignored Jason his entire life. She says she believes Jason’s bad behavior is a desperate cry for love and attention. Can Dr. Phil turn this dysfunctional family around? Find out!
A brutal murder: Tracey Harris, a wife and young mother, was found naked, drowned, and possibly strangled in a river in 1990. The case went cold for over 20 years, before Harris’ husband, Carl, was arrested. But right before his murder trial, somebody very close to him confessed. Today, Carl speaks out in an exclusive interview. Plus, a shocking reunion. Will Carl’s daughter forgive him after believing he murdered her mother?
Jason says his 16-year-old daughter refuses to talk to him because he is a disciplinarian, while his ex-wife, Tina, refuses to be a parent. He says their daughter is so entitled, she runs the house – and Tina has allowed it. Tina says her relationship with Jason has always been dysfunctional and toxic, and they constantly fight and argue. She says Jason has even put up seven cameras around the outside of her house to watch her and her daughter and listen to their conversations. Jason’s mom, Patricia, says Tina gives her daughter anything she wants, and it’s her fault that her daughter has become violent and irresponsible.
Dr. Phil continues his conversation with Jason, who says his 16-year-old daughter won’t talk to him, and his ex-wife, Tina, refuses to be a parent. Their daughter claims Jason has followed her and tried to fight her friend. She says she’s ready to confront her dad on Dr. Phil’s stage about how she ended up with a black eye and busted lip during an argument with him. Jason adamantly denies hurting his daughter. Tina claims Jason and his mother, Patricia, make the situation worse by always exerting their power over Tina and their daughter’s living situation, including Jason installing cameras around the house they live in which Patricia owns. Patricia claims Tina always plays the victim and is the reason why her granddaughter is out of control.
Kimberly says her son Blake is a successful model who has traveled the world. However, she says behind his success, Blake lives in constant fear of developing schizophrenia. This has caused nonstop drama in the household and the family to pull apart. She says Blake will spend 10-plus hours on Google obsessing over what could be wrong with him and seeks his family’s reassurance that he's not mentally ill. Blake’s twin brother, Chad, says his brother’s obsession has affected their relationship, and Blake’s girlfriend, Maxie, is worried this will hold him back from his modeling career.
E127 · Coronavirus: Facts vs Fears
Dr. Phil investigates the widespread pandemic known as the coronavirus. How afraid should we be? What are the facts? Dr. Phil speaks with a group of leading medical and health professionals who reveal their genuine concerns about this ever-growing, ever-changing medical phenomenon that is captivating the globe. First, eminent neurosurgeon Dr. Patrick Johnson discusses the fears around this virus along with distinguished molecular and microbiology professor Paula Cannon, PhD. Then, hear from Dr. Abdu Sharkawy, whose social media post about the pandemic was shared over 1.5M times. Plus, a coronavirus survivor and his wife relive the moment of his diagnosis. And, a woman in New York reveals she is so worried about the illness that she has isolated herself in her home and intends to do so for the next two months. Watch while Dr. Phil dissects the fine details of this complex and controversial illness. How bad will it get? When will it end? Tune in to find out!
Dr. Phil's guests say they believe internet fame is their road to fortune – but are they willing to put in the hard work to “make it big”? Mariah Malibu says she’s a “star in the making” on her way to becoming the next Anna Wintour or Paris Hilton. She wants her own fashion empire and says she’s willing to ruin relationships if that’s what gets her closer to the top! Twenty-year-old TJ says he’s wanted to be a YouTube star since he was 9 years old, so three months ago, he quit his job and is now pranking people and filming it. But his parents say he needs to come back to reality and find a job that pays the bills. And Billy Blu says his goal is to be an internet “influencer” and create his own skin care business, all while his father foots the bill. Is his father ready to cut the purse strings? Are these GenZ’ers ready for a wake-up call, or are they well on their way to a lifestyle of the rich and famous?
E129 · Athlete to Addict
Bobby and Renna say their son, Cameron, was a local hero in their small town. They say Cameron was the homecoming king and an all-star football and baseball player with recruiters knocking down his door. But the parents say all that changed in the blink of an eye when injuries destroyed Cameron’s athletic career, and with the injuries came surgeries, and with the surgeries came pain pills. Cameron’s parents say now their son is a heroin-addicted criminal whose dirty needle use left him needing heart surgery to save his life. But, Bobby and Renna admit they are not on the same page on how to save their son. In fact, just four months ago, Bobby gave Renna an ultimatum: stop enabling their son, or she and Cameron needed to move out. Renna says she chose to walk away from her 30-year marriage to save her son. Can Dr. Phil get Renna to stop helping her son kill himself with drugs? Plus, find out the shocking confession Cameron makes to Dr. Phil producers?
COVID-19 has changed life as we know it. Here, in the United States, nearly 100,000 schools have closed, resulting in over 40 million children forced to stay home and leaving their parents with a new set of challenges. From children struggling with cabin fever and teens trying to cope with losing their senior year of high school, to parents struggling to turn their homes into classrooms, Dr. Phil is tackling all these new parenting struggles and more. Today, from a remote location, Dr. Phil is speaking with parents and teens from around the country, answering crucial questions when it comes to living and parenting under quarantine.
Guests join Dr. Phil remotely from around the country and world who say their anxieties are difficult to manage while coping during the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Phil talks with 29-year-old Andrea from New York City, who says she is anxious day and night, fearing she could get sick and worrying about her parents who are halfway across the country. Jonathan, who is a journalist living in China, says he has experienced some of Andrea’s fears for the past few months and says being quarantined is a mental challenge. Then, Vanessa just learned that her 90-year-old mother, Fiona, was diagnosed with coronavirus and fears she won’t be able to be with her when she dies. And, Sarita, a widowed mother, fears she will have no financial stability. Dr. Phil injects some reasonable facts to help each person understand and rationalize their own situations so they can have a healthy perspective.
132As COVID-19 spreads across the United States, state officials have begun to establish curfews, shut down public spaces, and institute a host of other restrictions. Ava, a former Dr. Phil guest, is making headlines again. The 21-year-old college student who defied all the rules went viral on TikTok for licking a toilet seat on an airplane, as she headed to spring break festivities. Ava says the coronavirus is fake news made up by social media. Then, law enforcement visited Pastor Tony Spell because, in continuing to minister to his congregation, he violated an emergency order banning groups of more than 50 people. While Pastor Tony admittedly had over 1,100 people at Sunday Service, he says not allowing large groups to worship but letting people shop is a persecution of the faith.
Grocery stores are being wiped clean of toilet paper and food, and there’s another product that people are stocking up on: guns and ammo. People who normally have never even given a thought to purchasing a gun are buying one. Is panic buying a gun really going to calm your fears? L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva tells us how the largest sheriff's department in the country is handling this pandemic.
As coronavirus continues to dominate the global conversation, Dr. Phil explores the impact this pandemic is having on relationships, especially since several news outlets published data on a spike in divorce filings in China, where self-quarantining has been in effect for longer than in America. Dr. Phil meets Pepper and Pearson, a couple married 42 years who run a marriage ministry and fear, despite their relationship wisdom, self-quarantining could lead them to the brink of divorce. Watch while Dr. Phil and his wife, Robin, give practical advice on how to deal with relationships during this unprecedented time. This episode is a must-see for any couple in conflict while stuck at home during the coronavirus outbreak!
Dr. Phil wants everyone to stay as healthy as possible during this pandemic, and that includes your mental health. Dr. Phil talks with Dr. Daniel Amen, “BrainMD,” about maintaining good mental hygiene during times of great stress. The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted all of our lives, but to some, it could be life or death. Dr. Phil also meets Kaila and Isaac, who are extremely worried because their baby’s life-altering heart surgery was postponed due to the pandemic. Can Dr. Phil help this couple stay positive?
The fear of the unknown has everyone wondering: what if I get COVID-19? What will happen to me? Dr. Phil's guests are people who are battling this disease and say it is nothing like they expected. The shocking symptoms -- and the hard truth. Plus, a nurse who is sick after treating patients shares what's really happening in hospitals on the frontlines. Hear why she says it's a broken system that could lead to more lives lost.
Dr. Phil comes to you live from his kitchen to discuss how social isolation in the time of coronavirus can and is leading to loneliness and depression. Dr. Phil speaks to Donna, a 63-year-old widow who feels trapped in her home that she hasn’t left in 11 days! She says her depression, due to her isolation, has gotten so bad that she’s not eating, sleeping, or showering. In fact, she says she’s so desperate for physical contact, she has been hugging her dogs nonstop – and now they’re hiding from her! Dr. Phil then calls on the expertise of disaster mental health specialist Dr. Norman Fried to discuss why some people, like Donna, have trapped themselves in their homes due to coronavirus, while others are foolishly still flocking to crowded beaches, boardwalks, and parties! You don’t want to miss what Dr. Phil has to say about these “Covididiots”!
With advances in DNA technology, the exposure of so-called “fertility fraud” is on the rise. There are currently close to 70 children biologically linked to former fertility doctor Donald Cline, who used his own sperm to impregnate patients without their knowledge. These children are left to pick up the pieces after learning that he is their biological father -- not the person who raised them. Five of the children come together to ask Dr. Phil how they can move forward with their lives.
Medical workers on the frontlines are fighting the coronavirus and risking their own lives in the process of curbing some of the damage in this pandemic. Dr. Phil delves into how this is impacting all aspects of the medical community. He speaks with a doctor in the trenches of the ICU, and a nurse in the labor ward who can’t practice social distancing. Plus, hear how New York nurses are doing in the eye of the virus’ storm.
Nick claims his 41-year-old sister, Jennifer, is a bad parent who prioritizes partying over parenting her 13-year-old daughter. Nick says ever since Jennifer divorced her husband, Ben, her parenting skills have spiraled out of control, resulting in a long list of worrying behaviors from their daughter, including violence and self-harm. Julie, Ben’s girlfriend, claims his daughter would be much happier away from her mother and living with them. Jennifer says she is sick and tired of being made out to be a bad mom and claims Ben has no idea how hard she has it as a single mother. Jennifer says she’s through being ganged up on by Ben, his girlfriend, and her brother, and wants Dr. Phil’s help to prove she is not the problem here. Can Dr. Phil convince this divorced couple to co-parent in harmony? Tune in to find out!
With much of the country and the world in lockdown due to COVID-19, what does the future hold? Dr. Phil speaks with an Olympic athlete who is not only struggling to make ends meet while he trains for a return to the world’s biggest stage, but after the historic postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, is now questioning how much longer he should sacrifice the dreams of his family for his dream. Plus, a woman fears she won’t be able to leave her house for months or even a year. Should she be worried? And, Dr. Phil speaks with a doctor and scientist who has helped develop antiviral drugs for other deadly viruses. Find out why she fears the worst may be yet to come.
E142 · “Covidiots” Sorry Not Sorry
Every day, there’s another headline of some rule-breaker going against what every medical expert is recommending in order to flatten the curve of the coronavirus. These naysayers have been honored with a new Urban Dictionary term describing their dimwitted defiance: "Covidiots." They are people frolicking on the beach, going to parties and weddings, and hoarding supplies. Meet a “Spring Breaker” who traveled to Miami despite government warnings and hear how she says 15 seconds changed her life forever. And, a restaurant owner who defied his Governor. Plus, musician David Foster helps people calm their nerves during these stressful times with some new music.
Morgan claims that last year, her mother, Liz, stole her two children right out from under her and says she has no idea why. Morgan’s mother, Liz, claims she had no choice but to seek custody because Morgan is addicted to ADHD medication, hears voices, and hid a fugitive in her home for 11 days! Morgan denies that she has an addiction and says she is only taking what is prescribed to her. But Morgan’s mother and her best friend, Amy, believe Morgan’s prescription drug abuse is what caused what they call her “psychotic break.”
E144 · COVID-19: Trapped Abroad
A reported more than 24,000 Americans remain stuck overseas due to canceled flights and closed borders throughout the world due to the coronavirus. Today, Dr. Phil speaks with a mother and daughter who say they are trapped in India and claim the hostel they are staying in is trying to keep them confined to the property grounds. Plus, Dr. Phil speaks with a retired couple who spent 13 days confined to their small room aboard a cruise ship, some of those days without a working toilet or cold water. Hear why the husband says he thought about taking his own life as his only way out. Also, Dr. Phil speaks with a travel industry expert to learn what stranded Americans should be doing to get home safely.
Fear and anxiety stemming from the coronavirus pandemic are causing some people to lash out at those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 as well as Asian-Americans. Dr. Phil meets Clare, a 21-year-old from New York who contracted coronavirus in early March and claims that instead of love and support from friends, she received interrogation and scorn. Dr. Phil advises Clare about how to process the feelings of judgment she says she experienced as a result of her diagnosis. Dr. Phil also meets Valerie, a Chinese-American who claims she was verbally attacked, kicked at, and chased down her own street by a man who accused her of spreading the virus because of her ethnicity. Dr. Phil gives guidance and unique advice about how Valerie can move on from this attack.
E146 · COVID-19: The Whistleblowers
As many Americans work from home and shelter in place, essential workers are risking their lives on the front lines of the global coronavirus pandemic. In what seems to be a disturbing trend, whistleblowers are allegedly being punished for calling for safe working conditions. Dr. Phil speaks to nurses who claim they have been penalized for demanding protective masks, and a man who claims he was fired by Amazon after fighting for safe working conditions.
Americans are desperate for cures for COVID-19, and some are turning to fake miracle products such as liquid silver, teas, tonics, and even toothpaste. Dr. Phil is joined by George Mueller, Deputy Commissioner for the California Department of Insurance's Enforcement Branch, to separate fact from fiction, and science from snake oil, to provide you all the information you need to stay ahead of these con artists. Dr. Phil also speaks with a young woman who says she is eating pineapple, mango, and drinking whiskey after contracting the virus. Then, former NFL player Kyle Turley says the government is trying to block him from saying CBD is the miracle cure for the virus. And finally, Associate Dean of Duke Medical School Dr. Susanna Naggie discusses how close we are to finding a cure. Don’t miss it!
People struggling with addiction are at a much higher risk for relapse as their lives and routines are put on pause during the global coronavirus pandemic. Many people have been introduced to new stressors as they’re laid off from work, have loved ones getting sick, or they’re being cooped up in their homes alone for weeks wondering when will this end? People who never thought they had a drinking problem are drinking more and are starting to wonder if they might develop a problem. Today, Dr. Phil talks to Anne, a woman who says that she and her boyfriend broke up a few days after they began self-isolating and shares that she's been drinking alcohol to help heal her broken heart. Also, two former guests, Danielle and Niki, join Dr. Phil to share the struggles they've seen firsthand in the sober community during the pandemic.
E149 · Teen Rebellion
Gina and her husband, Desi, both say they are terrified that Gina’s 14-year-old daughter, Taylor – who was a once sweet and straight-A student -- has now gone down a bad path and is sneaking out of the house, even during the coronavirus quarantine. Taylor admits to “having done normal things that a normal rebellious teenager would do,” but she also admits to smoking marijuana, drinking alcohol, skipping school, and staying out past curfew. Her parents claim she has also faked having COVID-19 symptoms to get released from an inpatient treatment facility. Dr. Phil talks with the family about how to set boundaries as well as the importance of understanding each other’s emotional needs. And, later, Bishop T.D. Jakes shares some spiritual advice and healing for this family, and viewers, during this challenging time.
E150 · Moms Gone Mad
It’s been several weeks since schools have shut down, and families are in lockdown for the unforeseeable future. Moms across the globe are feeling the frustrations of being stuck at home with their children 24/7 due to the coronavirus. Many states have said children are not going back to school anytime soon, leaving moms to become impromptu teachers, dance instructors, math tutors, wrestling coaches, short-order cooks -- and mom. Meet two moms who say their anxiety is keeping them up at night, and a school principal who is having trouble unplugging. Dr. Phil gives all parents tips on how to not feel like a failure parenting during this quarantine.
E151 · Searching for the Cure
As COVID-19 continues to ravage America, Dr. Phil takes an inside look at the intense search for treatments and a cure. Learn about the latest progress being made on antibody and vaccine testing. How likely is it that we can get a handle on this, and when? Plus, hear from people who are battling the problems Americans are facing that aren't health related -- but are also dire. A CEO of a Texas food bank and Boy Scout are stepping up to the plate.
Many Americans under stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus pandemic are gaining weight, which has become known as “the Covid 19 -19" and the "Quarantine 15.” People are stocking up with enough food for a week or two, or even a month, and posting pictures of cakes, comfort food, and cocktails with #QuarantineLife and #EatingMyFeelings. But as boredom hits, or they walk by the kitchen, eating comfort food to feel good starts and continues until snacks are all gone. How can you manage your relationship with food and alcohol during this tough time? Dr. Phil talks to four women with this problem and tells them how to get their minds and bodies back on track.
E153 · Questions Answered
Dr. Phil answers viewers’ most pressing questions, including how to handle the coronavirus quarantine while managing their marriage, family, and even sobriety. Board Certified Psychiatrist and Medical Director for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services Dr. Charles Sophy, and Life Coach Mike Bayer help Dr. Phil tackle some tough topics to get viewers the answers they need during difficult times.
Previously recorded in studio before social distancing. Denise and her husband, Jarid, say they are extremely concerned about their 10-year-old son, Zak, who screams, curses, punches and tells family members he wants them to die. Zak was diagnosed with autism two years ago, and they believe his temper tantrums seem to be getting worse. So, Denise and Jarid moved in with Jarid’s parents, Carol and Brad, for extra hands-on help with Zak, but was that the right move? Dr. Phil brings in a team of experts to help Zak and his family, including psychiatrist Dr. Charles Sophy and Board Certified Behavior Analyst Megan St. Clair. Find out what Megan learns after she makes a home visit to get more findings to bring back to Dr. Phil and Dr. Sophy.
As COVID-19 spreads across the country, Gen Zers are forced to move back home. Karen and her husband, Chuck, say they are under tremendous stress since their unmotivated 22-year-old son, Charlie, moved home and now stays up all night to play video games and sleeps past noon. By his own admission, Charlie has been "sleeping more than usual" but believes his parents, especially his mother, needs to stop nagging and acting extra "psycho."
E156 · Tara’s Troubles
Previously recorded in studio before social distancing. Tara emailed Dr. Phil saying America needed to hear her story. She claims her husband, Mike, is a sociopath who controls her every move. She says he doesn't want her to succeed as an artist or teacher, and videotapes her constantly to make her look mentally ill or like a drunk. Mike claims Tara is manic, unstable, and might be bipolar. He says she degrades and embarrasses him in front of everyone, but he married for better or for worse. Can Dr. Phil help these spouses at war for the sake of their children?
E157 · Blended Family Breakdown
As COVID-19 continues to impact and change our world, so does the way it impacts family dynamics. Dr. Phil meets a blended family of five from Florida, each of whom have been affected by COVID-19 in very different ways. Dr. Phil has a frank and honest conversation with father and husband Tom, who says the media has blown the virus out of proportion, while his wife, Jill, says she is worried Tom may fall ill. Dr. Phil also meets Tom and Jill’s adult children, Grace and Connor, who say living at home in lockdown is causing a lot of tension. Then, Dr. Phil speaks with Tom’s daughter, Brandi, who is still coming to terms with the tragic loss of her mother only a month ago. Can Dr. Phil give Brandi the guidance she needs to get through this dark and painful time? Tune in to find out!
Being in a long-distance relationship is hard enough for Mark Anthony and his Russian fiancée, Marina. She lives in Russia, and he’s in the United States. To top it off, the coronavirus pandemic is making this couple wonder when they will ever see each other in person again. They had plans to marry this May, but now, Mark Anthony says their relationship is strained because they don’t have the same priorities. He wants to know from Dr. Phil if they are ready to tie the knot. Does Dr. Phil give this couple his blessing?
Recorded before stay-at-home order. Kelly says she is concerned her father, Shade, allowed her ex-husband, Allen, to move into his home after their divorce. Now, Allen has found his way into Kelly's childhood bedroom, where he has been living for the past 5 ½ years, sleeping at night in a bunk bed and claiming to look for jobs in the daytime. Kelly says she wants her dad to confront Allen and make him get out! Kelly says Allen cannot start being an active father to their two children, Dylan and Lilli, until he becomes more independent, and their children agree. But Allen says the family has it all wrong, because he believes he and Shade are happily living together in their “bachelor pad.”
E160 · “Confined with My Ex!”
Dianne says she's stuck living with her ex-husband, Ron, who she calls "The Beast"! Dianne says for the next 60-90 days, not only are they stuck self-isolating together under the same roof, but they're also sharing the same bed! Dianne and Ron both agree that they cannot seem to ever have a civilized conversation without triggering an argument and have turned to Dr. Phil for advice on how to get through this trying time without sending the other over the edge.
Recorded before stay-at-home order. Norma says she has come out of retirement, after her second husband died, to fund three online boyfriends she’s never met because they told Norma they are all stuck overseas. Norma says these men need her help, and she’s given up her life savings of $250,000 in hopes of meeting them. Her son, Rodney, and daughter-in-law, Cindy, say Norma is being scammed, but Norma says she doesn’t believe it. Are these online loves real? Dr. Phil finds out if any of these men are real or just an online love scam.
Recorded before stay-at-home order. Today, Dr. Phil finds out so much more about Norma’s online boyfriends. Norma’s number one love, Jeff, claims he bought a ticket home to the U.S. after Norma sent him even more money. Dr. Phil producers call the airlines to see if his name is their database. Dr. Phil producers also head to the Church in Cairo, Egypt where Jeff claims he’s been sleeping for months. Is Jeff telling the truth? Does Jeff make it home to Norma -- or is Norma being scammed? Dr. Phil helps Norma see the truth.
E163 · “Feeding My Addiction”
Recorded before stay-at-home order. Mike and his fiancée, Ashley, have a beautiful home, a sweet 6-year-old daughter and a baby boy on the way. But, there is a dark secret tearing them apart -- Mike is addicted to opioids. Recently, Ashley was at the courthouse picking up paperwork to evict her fiancé. Today, she even brought the papers with her. Will Mike sign those papers? Also, author Dan Peres shares his new memoir, As Needed for Pain, where he reveals his former addiction to Vicodin after a back injury. At one point, he was taking as many as 60 pills a day while making a name for himself in the early 2000s as the editor-in-chief of Details magazine.
In part 1 of two episodes, Dr. Phil meets Cheryl, her ex-husband, Dave, and their youngest daughter, Stephanie, who say oldest daughter, Cassie, has been a drug addict and an alcoholic for years and needs an intervention. One source of contention is the allegation that Dave not only did drugs with Cassie but also received money from her that she admittedly earned through prostitution. Dave counters that, despite using drugs with Cassie twice, he did not encourage Cassie to be a prostitute and he gave back the money Cassie earned through prostitution. Dave contends that he is actually fighting for Cassie’s sobriety and has helped save her life by giving her a home to live in. Things take an uncertain turn when Cassie decides to leave the studio one hour before the taping and runs down Melrose Avenue to a liquor store with staffers chasing her. Will Cassie ever make it to stage to talk to Dr. Phil?
In part 2, Dr. Phil finally meets 28-year-old Cassie, who admits to being a drug addict since high school and using drugs with her father, Dave, in the past. Cassie ran out of the studio one hour before taping, with staffers chasing her, to buy alcohol. So, is Cassie really ready to be sober?
In high school, Karenna was an overachiever. She had a full college scholarship but only went for a week. Her mom, Deena, claims that since Karenna started hanging out with her now former boyfriend, Tommie, last year, she’s been on a downward spiral of smoking weed, lying, stealing, and getting fired from jobs. Deena says her daughter isn’t allowed in her house anymore because she isn’t following the rules and sneaks Tommie inside. Karenna defends Tommie and claims it’s actually her mother who is the problem. Both mother and daughter wrote in to the show desperate to fix their relationship before it’s too late.
Ten years ago, Suzy claims she developed a “mysterious illness” that leaves her shaking, trembling, convulsing, and having to force-feed herself more than 7,000 calories a day to stop her “attacks”! She says things are so bad that she must always have food on hand, including while she uses the bathroom and shower. What could this mysterious illness possibly be? Could Dr. Phil be the solution to Suzy’s 10-plus-year journey to find answers?
A case that has caused outrage and grief across the nation: The family of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Georgia man who was killed in February, say he was simply out for an afternoon jog when he was shot and killed by two armed men in a pickup truck. The two men, charged with murder and aggravated assault almost three months after the incident, claim that they believed Arbery was a burglary suspect and they acted in self-defense. Arbery's parents speak out.
Dr. Phil meets Candice, who says she is 100% convinced her mom, Lois, is being scammed by men online and has tried everything to intervene. Dr. Phil also meets Lois’ younger sister, LouAnn, who says Lois sacrificed her 37-year marriage and retirement savings for fictional online love. Lois admits she has been scammed in the past, but says she is happily engaged to a man she met online. Despite her family’s concerns, Lois says she wants her daughter and sister to accept her fiancé – the only hiccup is that he is stuck in Africa.
Dr. Phil continues to uncover the truth behind Lois’ online relationships. Last year, Lois says she met with an "associate" of one of her former fiancés, "The General," and received something extremely valuable and keeps it in her home safe under lock and key. Today, Dr. Phil opens Lois’ safe. What is inside? Dr. Phil enlists the help of retired U.S. Secret Service Agent Ron Williams to analyze its contents. Dr. Phil also locates another one of Lois’ alleged former fiancés, “Fred Adler,” who Lois claims is working in Africa. Lois says “Fred” is a "good and honest man." Today, find out if “Fred” is telling Lois the truth.
For the past two days, Dr. Phil has been investigating Lois' online relationships. Yesterday, Dr. Phil opened Lois’ home safe, analyzed her “white money,” and with the help of retired U.S. Secret Service Agent Ron Williams, established the money was fake. Dr. Phil also found the real man in the photos of Lois’ alleged former fiancé, “Fred Adler,” who confirmed he was a victim of having his identity stolen. Today, Dr. Phil takes the search across the world to Nigeria to locate Lois’ current fiancé, “Paul Shaw.” Lois says “Paul” is stuck in Africa and asks Dr. Phil to fly him to the U.S. so they can start their future together. What do Dr. Phil's investigators find when they launch their global investigation? Find out on today’s part 3 conclusion.
Christy claims that she found out her house was almost in foreclosure because her husband, Earnest, had stopped paying the mortgage. Christy says that was the final straw and claims Earnest did this on purpose to torture her because he knows how much she loves this home. But Earnest says the problem is his wife and claims that she is a hoarder who doesn’t cook, clean, or even parent their daughters -- and the only reason they are losing their home is because she refuses to help out with the home expenses. Can Dr. Phil save this marriage in time for them to save their home?
A young woman’s boyfriend tells police she committed suicide. Years later, he walks into a police station and confesses to her murder. Kaylyn Whitaker’s parents speak out in an exclusive interview. They say they knew from the beginning their daughter’s death was not a suicide.
E175 · Caught Between Two Brittanys
Brittany and Jeramie met in high school and have been in an on-and-off relationship for 18 years, which has led to a tumultuous co-parenting relationship. Jeramie also has an off-and-on relationship with an old classmate named Brittney who is currently living in his home. Brittany says she resents Brittney for “playing mom,” to her kids while Jeramie says his girlfriend provides a stable home life that his ex-wife never could.
Bree says she is very concerned about her 11-year-old son, JJ’s, extremely violent behavior, which includes threatening to kill her with a steak knife. But Bree says JJ isn’t just acting out at home; his school was forced to implement a safety plan as a result of the 51 disciplinary infractions he’s incurred in the last three years, as well as a plan to harm another student.Bree says her son recently ran away for three days and he posted photos on social media smoking weed and holding a handgun. Find out what happened that has Dr. Phil concerned about the child returning home with his mother.
Sixty-four-year-old Josie says she met the love of her life, Victor, on Facebook. Even though he’s Nigerian, 30 years younger, and she’s never physically met him, she insists it’s true love. She’s purchased a ticket to Nigeria and hopes to marry Victor, but her older sister, Carmen, her best friend, Angela, and her 19-year-old son, Anthony, say Josie is acting like a teenage fool. They believe Victor is conning Josie into marrying him for a green card. Dr. Phil took cameras to Nigeria to find Victor to see if he’s telling Josie the truth. Josie’s family says they want Dr. Phil to convince Josie that this relationship will never work. Is Victor who he says he is, and will Josie leave for Nigeria after hearing what Dr. Phil has to say?
Three moms say they were livestreaming, or posting videos, for what they thought was just their private audience of social media friends -- but they say their videos have now reached over 100 million views combined. Dr. Phil takes a closer look at the stories behind these viral videos to find out why the women's buttons were pushed. First, Karen, a mother of a now 17-year-old, says she went on her daughter's Snapchat after she found her daughter’s boyfriend hiding in her closet! Then, Cassandra, a young mother of two, says she began livestreaming on Facebook to vent after she was very upset after a conversation with police officers and her children’s school. Dr. Phil will also talk to a mother who posted a controversial video when she decided she had enough with her 2-year-old son's picky eating habits!
Dr. Phil discusses the emotional and psychological toll being placed on our health care workers and first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Phil speaks with an ICU nurse who says she is struggling with not being able to save her patients, and admits she is haunted by the faces of those she has lost. Plus, Dr. Phil speaks with the Vice President of the FDNY EMS local 2507 union which represents the over 4,000 uniformed EMTs, paramedics, and fire inspectors of the FDNY. Find out why he says he is concerned about the heroic men and women he represents.
E180 · Coping With Grief
America is mourning differently because of the novel coronavirus. Kelly says the virus has broken her family after she lost both her parents and brother to COVID-19 while her husband fought for his life. Hannah lost her father without being able to properly say her last goodbyes and is now sleeping 18 hours a day. Both women are desperate for Dr. Phil’s advice on how to grieve and move forward.
E181 · America On Fire
As the country continues to navigate its way through an unprecedented global pandemic and widespread civil unrest following the May 25 death of George Floyd, the unarmed Minneapolis man who lost his life while in police custody, Dr. Phil leads a discussion with prominent members of the Black community analyzing the events of the past week and what may have sparked them. Guests include national civil rights attorney S. Lee Merritt, Democratic Congresswoman Karen Bass representing California’s 37th district, author and activist Marc Lamont Hill, and activist and one of “Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People” of 2017, Tamika Mallory. And as the focus shifts to the future, what happens now? And how can you help?
