Earlier today, BuzzFeed NewsThe expost about the toxic environment that was created on theThe Dr. Phil ShowAccording to former employees. Interviewees refuted some negative characterizations, but both groups acknowledged that intense work environments that could be considered abusive are common in Hollywood.
BuzzFeeds reporting is dominated by the memories of 12 former and current employees who recall working at the company.Dr. Phil Show It was like entering a war zone. One employee claimed they needed therapy after working on the show, which is supposed to be about mental health. Another employee earning $10 an hour said they couldn’t afford the therapist they needed to deal in the toxic workplace. One former employee claimed that Pennington reprimanded him so severely that he couldn’t breathe. Carla Pennington, the executive producer of the show, is the highest-ranking staffer. BuzzFeed interviewed Phil McGraw and found that none of them witnessed any abusive or toxic behavior on the part. Tiffany Clark, who was a page from 2019 to 2020, asked how he could have missed it. The article does not name the employees. They claim that they were discouraged from booking BIPOC guests, and that they were encouraged to stop guests with mental illness from taking their medication, in order to make them look unstable and crazy. They claimed that all of this was considered business as usual at the set of one the most successful daytime TV programs of the past 20 years.
The most shocking aspect of the behind-the scenes look at the allegations of mental breakdowns and manipulative leadership, dysfunction, racism, and other allegations is theDr. Phil ShowThe idea that employees, both current and former, were expected to accept unfavorable conditions is called the “forced or expected” theory. Clark, 31, was part the page program at Paramount Pictures, the production house whose Hollywood lot the show is shot on. As Studio Pages, they do everything, from leading people on studio tours to managing live TV audiences. They are required to make Studio Page their top scheduling priority even though it is a part time job. Paramounts job listing. Clark claimed that he was mercilessly beaten by a supervisor while he was working on the Dr. Phil ShowClaim pages are little more than soldiers who have few or no other options.
Clark explained to BuzzFeed, “You just have to learn how to take it.” We couldn’t do anything as pages. If we were given the show, we would have to take the abuse.
BuzzFeed was denied the allegations by McGraw and Pennington attorneys. A spokesperson also denied them. Dr. Phil, Referring to the claims as verifiably, objectively false characterizations, and reporting that raises substantial doubts about credibility of the other unsubstantiated anonymous claims relating the show and its staff.
According to the report, Hollywood’s toxic environment is not a secret. One former employee said that in every interview they’ve done, the interviewer compared it to working on. Dr. PhilTo receive a Purple Heart in Hollywood. Those who spoke on theDr. Phil Shows Penningtons publicist referred to current and former employees as BuzzFeed. They denied the serious allegations. Even though they were unable to deny the serious allegations, they could not help but describe negative experiences that former employees had as simply occupational hazards of working at Hollywood.
Michelle Thomasy has been the teleprompter operators since the beginning of the show. While she rejects the war zone comparisons, she admitted that the nature television productions can sometimes lead to intense interactions. I will say that everyone in the room has spoken at one point. Sometimes when things are moving fast, you will shout and say Hey, Where am I going? What’s the matter? What do I need to do? Thomasy said that you are trying to get a reply from someone. She also explained to BuzzFeed that these moments aren’t malicious or meant to attack another person. It’s not a denial that toxic treatment is being given.
Thomasy is alleged to have made potentially harmful comments about a product that uses high-speed TVs. This is why Thomasy’s allegations against him are true.Dr. Phil ShowIt is not surprising, however. The Ellen DeGeneres ShowIt has been on the air for approximately the same time as theDr. Phil ShowIt plans to end its nearly twenty-year-old run, a decision made in a convenient manner after the revelations of toxic workplace conditions. Former EllenEmployees shared stories of dealing with fearful work environments and racism from coworkers, as well as having to deal with their supervisors in order to be granted time off to attend a funeral. The Ellen DeGeneres Show Daytime Emmy Awards and the Dr. Phil ShowOnce upon a while, it was all about the top syndicated daily talk showFor 150 consecutive weeks, their damaging workplaces were well-known secrets in Hollywood circles.
Hollywood will be agitated by Ellen’s imminent departure and the publicity surrounding Dr. Phils allegedly dangerous workplace. But, how many innocent people could be hurt if toxic daytime talk programs are kept being renewed and celebrated?