How many of you N.E. people were and are upset over the inclusion of Dr. Phil and his wife during the Pops Concert? The backlash is incredible in the Boston papers and the talk shows. As much as I do enjoy watching him on tv this was the wrong venue for him and his wife for whom he demanded equal billing.. His requests for travel for 20 of his staff and SUV's on call outside his hotel the entire day were it seems way out of line. Not to mention he was absolutely clueless a to what this event was about and could barely read from the prompter. Does anybody know whose idea they were and why!!

I'm not sure I understand...did he "host" the program? I didn't see it.

ParrotMom, do you have a link?

I'm sure his ego is quite large and it doesn't surprise me.

Diva.

PS. Dr.Phil, take heed; take a good hard look at Star Jones career.

I agree!

I am a (retired) clinical psychologist and think he is becoming consumed with being a celebrity and should stick to being a good psychologist. It didn't work for Dr. Joyce Brothers years ago.

This used to be the one 4th of July show we enjoyed watching; you got a great Boston Pops concert (the 1812 Overture with cannons!) and then a wonderful fireworks show. All hosted by people who knew when to stop talking and just let us enjoy the show.

I don't know the details, but the problem seems to be the person(s) who made the decision to PAY him for the appearance - and agreed to his diva demands. Dr. Phil doesn't own this problem - he's living the life of Reilly.

I agree! Why did A & E drop them in the first place?

I watched the show. I love the boston Pops wouldn't miss them! I was very shocked and surprised to see Dr. Phil and Robin. Not sure I understood the "whys" of them being there. He isn't from Boston. I was just surprised. Not angry, just very surprised. It was obvious they had to "read" everything they were saying "very carefully."

Ahhh, somebody thought they were being very creative...

Fireworks = Dr. Phil

Sorry I missed it.

I turned it on (the tape actually) after the local shows had ended, and didn't know Dr. Phil was emceeing it until it ended.

Waste of perfectly good electrons.

It takes a real tough cookie/core to be in that field and do what he does. I agree that he is on the brink of an ego edge, IMHO.

Sorry, and I'm not being sarcastic to all you psychologists out there, as I am heartfelt in knowing the good you do and the challenges you meet every day- but I also must say the truth of my own experience. I left the field, because I saw a LOT of dysfunction in the "experts" especially in their training years.

His boundaries have gotten warped.

Well, he no longer practices in the "real world". Everything is produced. I think he went over the ego edge a long time ago already.

The entire show (local production as well as national) was way too staged. but I loved Aerosmith and the Pops of course. Dr. Phil was just strange. Haven't been to the Esplanade since 1986 so its time to get back there again. Maybe next year.

Very good STW! Fireworks=Dr.Phil! Good call!

He would have been more appreciated had he hosted a Texas celebration, or maybe even a comedy type thing.
Having Robin by his side is starting to look like they are both relishing the spotlight and enjoying the celebrity status more and more as time goes by.
I wonder who thought their presence would add to the show format. No one needs to see Dr. Phil to get permsission to feel patriotic, imho.

Where was Maria Shriver when you needed her? She has experience in putting Dr. Phil in his place....

What did Maria Shriver do?

I was surprised he did not try to take credit for Steve Tyler's long-time recovery from addiction.

Maria Shriver chewed Dr. Phil out when he tried to pull the "Star Attitude" at a charity fundraiser in California....demanded a private bathroom, wanted Arnold to introduce him....pouted when he didn;t get his way. She told him to quit sulking....she told him "my 7 year old acts older than that"