The Next Ellen? Dr. Phil Accused Of Running Toxic Workplace Fostering 'Fear, Intimidation, And Racism'
11.02.2022 - 05:05
/ perezhilton.com
Dr. Phil’s attorney is really hoping the daytime doctor won’t go the way of Ellen DeGeneres!
Patrick Morris, the personal attorney of the talk show host (real name Phil McGraw), is addressing the accusations of a toxic workplace environment against the long running show Dr. Phil.
Speaking to BuzzFeed News, a dozen current and former employees of the hit series claimed that they had faced verbal abuse, fear, intimidation, and even racism behind the scenes of the production. As one employee put it:
Whoa! Employees complained of verbal abuse and mistreatment of both them and the vulnerable guests, treatment they say was damaging to their mental health.
Related: Dr. Phil Sued After Teen Was Allegedly Sexually Assaulted At Treatment Center He Recommended
As another employee said:
Oof.
However, Morris dismissed the report as a one-sided “clickbait story,” saying in a statement to Variety:
Hmm…
Moreover, a rep for ViacomCBS told the outlet that all employees are encouraged to report unfair treatment, telling the outlet:
Unfortunately, the program isn’t just facing toxic workplace claims. Seven of the employees accused the show of manipulating guests who are already in a precarious state, including a claim from an employee who was allegedly instructed to make sure a guest on the show didn’t take her prescribed medication. Whoa.
The employee told BuzzFeed:
WTF!?
If that’s not bad enough, the employees accused the show of encouraging them to perpetuate racist stereotypes onscreen.
For what it’s worth, though, none of the employees — current or former — witnessed Dr. Phil himself being toxic or abusive on set. Most of the accusers identified executive producer Carla Pennington and other senior-level staffers as being verbally