Am I the only one who finds this woman annoying? She was on his show today (as always. What is she afraid of?), but now SHE has written a book, too, and was on there promoting it.

She just seems to be a really spoiled woman who is very wealthy only through her husband's efforts. She is very self-promoting. It looks like she has had some work done on her face, too. Her lips look bigger. I find her ALMOST as annoying as Kathie Lee Gifford. She was on there today with Morgan Fairchild, and Dr. Phil was oooing and aaahing over how good they looked for women over fifty.

Even Dr. Phil himself doesn't seem as credible as he used to. It seems like he is starting to take the "low road". Now he is asking people to send in videos "catching people in the act": the cheating spouse, the dishonest employee, etc. I used to think that he gave helpful advice (though his "folksy" expressions didn't seem professional), but now he's stooping to the level of Jerry Springer. JMO!!

By Cocoabutter on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 02:19 am:

I always loved Dr. Phil's show, but lately I just haven't watched it anymore, probably because things got kind of busy this summer and it's low on my list of important things to do.

But I disagree about Robin. I think she is a very classy lady and I don't think she gets a free ride. I don't know how long you have watched the show, but I have heard them talk about their beginnings. When they got married, he was still in college and had a part-time job delivering newspapers. She worked to support him through college and getting his practice up and running. She has been the woman behind the man and she deserves all she gets in return.

By Kaye on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 07:07 am:

I have to LOL at the folksy expressions. Really that is how we talk in texas. We use a lot of odd phrases and most people do. So it never struck me as strange. I am hot and cold with the dr. I think he has some good stuff, I think some of it is cheesy.

Robin is very classy to me too. I think she sits there like a good wife and supports her husband when need be. But she often gets up and speaks her mind. They did a show once where people asked about their marriage. She was very candid about it. I liked that.

By Kate on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 08:42 am:

I've never watched Dr. Phil and I have no idea who his wife is. However, I'm wondering why you have a problem with his wife being 'wealthy' through her husband's efforts? He obviously has a high paying job and while I have no idea if she has a paying job or not, they are husband and wife and therefore share in his earnings, be them large or small. I guess I really take issue with that...who cares WHO earns the money...as long as THEY are happy with the arrangement! Would you prefer that Phil be rich and NOT share his earnings with her? I just don't get it... A lot of spouses are either rich or poor or in between due to whichever one of them is working. Are you annoyed that she doesn't work (if she doesn't work...again, I have no idea who this woman is or what she does)?

Oh well...I like Kathie Lee, too.

By Kim on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 08:47 am:

His wife wanted to be a stay at home Mom and Dr Phil only wanted one child. They made an agreement....he said ok if she would keep herself up, stay in shape, take care of herself. They did have two kisd and she has kept herself up. They discussed this on a show one day. I don't know, maybe they are both proud of the way she has stayed in shape? I think she IS spoiled, but it sounds like that is the away Dr Phil wanted it and it sounds like he worked quite hard throughout their life toegther to maintain that.

I don't get to watch anymore because of work so I don't know about the show changing. I have not really heard Robin talk that much either. But NO ONE could possibly be as annoying as K L G!!!

By Bobbie~moderatr on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 09:28 am:

I do agree about the show and the whole Jerry Springer comment. But Jerry Springer didn't start out all those years ago doing the shows he does now. Honestly out of all of them, with this type of show (one host type talk shows), Oprah seems to be the only one holding true to herself. She at one point had jumped on the shock show lack of values but she put a stop to that shortly after it started. Montel is good too but he will put on some seriously stupid shows, sometimes. Not in the Jerry Springer lack of mind set but in the Montel could have done better type of shows.

Oh and DH and I share money. It doesn't matter who makes it or where it comes from it is OUR money. So if DH was DR Phil bet your rear I would be spoiled and doing whatever floated my fancy too... I say, Go Robin.. Can't be a cake walk being married to that man..

By Boxzgrl on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 10:31 am:

I like them but I do have to agree that his show's themes are starting to become unreal. It wasn't too long ago that he was actually counseling people. I've enjoyed his shows but if he turns Jerry Springer-ish I won't watch anymore.

The one thing that annoyed me about Robin yesterday is a comment she made when people asked her if she really went to all Dr. Phil's tapings. She said her thought was "I wonder how their marriages really are?" or something to that affect because going to his shows is how she supports him. I guess it just made her seem high and mighty, like she has a pefect marriage and nobody should think otherwise. And I think her self esteem can easily be confused for cockiness.

By Kay on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 11:58 am:

Robin is not his first wife - he married Debbie Higgins when he was 20 years old, and they were married for 3 years. They divorced, and he married Robin in 1976.

By Anonymous on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 12:11 pm:

I don't get to watch Dr. Phil because I work days so after seeing it yesterday evening I was impressed by Robin and the kind of wife she is. I secretly wished my relationship with my husband was like what those two have and that I could have been a SAHM. She is first and foremost a wife and a mother. The kids even stated that and how she was always there to pick them up from school and how much a part of their life she is. When she referred to "I wonder how their marriages are?" it was because people can't believe that she has never missed a taping of the show, it is how she supports her husband, like when I used to go watch my DH play softball, same type of thing. If you don't have a decent marriage you wouldn't want to be there. As far as I'm concerned they were everyday people like us who worked for everything they have. Good for them.

By Hol on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 12:55 pm:

I knew that Dr. Phil had been married before. And, Kim, he had had a vasectomy at a young age beacuse he didn't want ANY kids. His Dad was an alcoholic and it affected him and his perspective on parenthood.

When he met Robin, she knew that he was "fixed" and she said that, at first, it was okay with her. But then, like most of us, she got "baby urgings" and told him that not having kids was a deal breaker. He agreed to have the vasectomy reversed, but he only wanted one child. The rest is exactly as you stated.

I'm sorry, but I don't think that spouses should issue each other ultimatums. The only way that she could have a second baby is to agree to a "Barbie doll" the rest of her life? And this is a man who HELPS other people for a living? Isn't that a bit shallow? He has had other people on his show, such as men who don't think they love their wives anymore because they had gotten fat, and he chastises them for it. Is that all for show and ratings? What would happen if Robin were disfigured in an accident, or deveolped a condition that caused her to gain weight, and she couldn't be his "trophy wife" any more?

My husband and I share everything, too. We got married at nineteen and neither of us had any material goods to bring to the marriage. We built everything together. I was a stay at home Mom when my kids were pre-school, and when I did go to work, it was my choice. My DH has never told me I had to work.

Robin just comes accross to me as very condescending, but you can tell that it is born of insecurity. Since she is so wealthy, it would seem that she could have a life in her own right and not be following her husband around. She could do a lot of charity work, sit on boards of directors, etc. Again, JMO.

By Kate on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 01:36 pm:

That 'agreement' or 'ultimatum' took place over 26 years ago! Everyone is less mature 26 years ago than they are now. I highly doubt Phil would leave his wife if she gained weight at this point, or even back then...they seem to have a strong marriage and I highly doubt it is merely held together by his wife's appearance. And Phil has CHOSEN Robin to be a big part of his show and since it's HIS show, it's HIS decision and within his rights to do that. And maybe she WANTS to 'follow her husband around', altho, according to their website she travels around speaking on faith and children by herself. She does do charity work but it might not be the same charity work YOU would choose to do, but since it's her money (his money, their money, her money) she gets to choose the charity.

I don't know why you're against someone you truly don't know, and I don't know why I'm defending someone I truly don't know, except that you seem to be picking on her unjustly and that makes me want to take up her cause.

By Kym on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 01:38 pm:

I have no idea if this is the reason for him wanting her to "agree" to stay in shape etc, but how many of us have "lost ourselves" for the sake of the kiddos including physical and mental well-being, and make our husbands suffer because of it, withholding sex, spending $$ on diets, hating our appearences the list goes on and on. Maybe his experiences as a therapist geared him up for that and he did not want that for his marrgaige?? Also, why is it assumed that she should be sitting on boards etc, and maybe she does, the taping is probabally 2 hrs out of 24 a day! I hang out with my dh at least 2 hrs a day, raise 4 kids, run a business, do charity work and am a very secure person! I have never once throught that supporting a member of my family was a measure of insecurity.

By Cocoabutter on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 03:03 pm:

It is not that he wanted a "trophy wife." The reason he wanted her to stay in shape was probably because his entire family is morbidly obese. He began to get fat, too, but decided he wasn't going down that road. He couldn't handle watching his family's health deteriorate to the point that they could die. That is why he wrote the book The Ultimate Weight Solution (The 7 Keys to Weight Loss Freedom), The Ultimate Weight Solution Cookbook, and the Ultimate Weight Solution Food Guide. And his show has done 2 weight loss challenges that I know of. He has dedicated a good part of his carreer to teaching both physical health as well as emotional health.

There is nothing wrong with wanting your life partner to stay healthy. You love them and want them to stay around so that you can grow old together. You don't want that person to do destructive things to his/her body. We all know what usually happens in the years after childbirth, and Dr. Phil didn't want that to happen to his wife.

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 08:13 pm:

I don't see what the problem is with her... so what if she supports her husband's work, and has written a book of her own? They do a lot of charity work, and give money to many causes. I don't watch the show, I've only seen it a few times, but the times I did watch they were always doing something to help people. She seems like a good wife and mother, their kids seem like good young adults, so who cares if she has some work done? Then again, we don't know what goes on in their private lives, only what they reveal (which is apparently quite a bit), so we can't really judge. As for their arrangement, I am terrified of getting fat, because most of the women in my family range from overweight to morbidly obese, with the exception of my mom, and I'm not built like her. I stay thin, and hope to always keep in shape, and don't see anything wrong with expecting my DH to do the same.

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 08:57 pm:

I rarely watch Dr. Phil, simply because I just don't have time to watch TV. The times I have watched it I thought it was a good show. I personally think Dr. Phil is a cool guy and laughing all the way to the bank telling people the straight-up and usually OBVIOUS truth!

Regarding his wife...When my husband coached H.S. football, I went to as many of his games as I could. I went because I WANTED to cheer him on. What's the difference?

As far as the "deal" on keeping herself up...I think that's crazy! My DH would never, ever, ever say to me "You need to keep yourself up over the years". That is an ultimatum because it ultimately means if you don't, so then what? DH and I both encourage each other to stay healthy. We give each other time to work out now, and before kids, often worked out together. It has never been spoken on either side that "we need to keep ourselves up" and if it were (on either side), I don't agree with that. We are very in love, have a lot of respect for one another, and genuinely WANT to still be physically attractive to each other in 20 years. As a result, we both work on ourselves physically to try to achieve that. It's an unspoken feeling that we share individually that "I want to look good for my sweetie" AND I want to look good for myself.

Saying that to your spouse is outrageous IMO. Having said that, I really like Dr. Phil and know little to nothing about his wife other than what was already mentioned above.

Ditto Kaye as well.

By Cocoabutter on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 09:15 pm:

For Dr. phil, it's not about "looking good" for your spouse! He didn't give his wife an ultimatum so that he could look at her at age 65 and say, "Babe, you still look hot!"

It's about being HEALTHY. He wanted his wife to commit to a lifetime of HEALTH and a healthy lifestyle so that she would still be alive at age 65.

Dr. Phil's Interview with Reader's Digest

"Obesity has absolutely ravaged my family. I lost my father probably 10 years early because of complications with obesity. I have two nephews who are over 500 pounds. I have a sister who's 300 pounds. I have aunts who are 350, 375. My whole family -- I've watched them become so infirm they dropped out of life. And I have issues with blood sugar that caused me to adopt a certain lifestyle. Probably 300 days a year, I work out twice a day. It's really important to me and my family."

By Hol on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 11:29 pm:

No one says that it ISN'T a prudent thing to do to keep yourself fit and healthy. And there is a big difference between a little overweight and morbid obesity. His "agreement" makes it sound like she can't gain an ounce.

He was essentially using his sperm as an extortion tool. No one has the right to deprive their spouse of a child. It USED to be grounds for divorce.

Just think, too, if either of them got fat or got divorced, there goes his career, after preaching to others.

I started this thread by asking if I were the only one who finds Robin annoying. Apparently, I am. We all get different vibes from people.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 11:43 pm:

Hol, that is very true about the vibes. I find a lot of people annoying actually but we won't go there... I think this was a decent topic and I think it has gone well. I also think that if you find her annoying you more than likely aren't the only one, all those people just aren't here posting today.. LOL

By Hol on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 11:58 pm:

I think you're right, Bobbie.

By Cocoabutter on Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 02:05 am:

Yes, that is probably it. I must admit, some rich women I meet come across to me as being stuck-up and spoiled. But as for TV, just watch QVC once in a while. Joan Rivers gives me that impression.

By Breann on Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 12:05 pm:

I didn't watch yesterday, but I do watch quite a bit of the show.

I really like Robin. She seems very sweet and supportive. If I were in her position, I think I would do the same thing as her. I enjoy spending time with my DH, and I would love to watch him work. I think it shows great support. Just like I always go to all of my kids' games and dance recitals. Always there cheering them on and giving them my support. It's no different.

It would be wonderful have that much money coming into a family household and to be able to enjoy it and share it together as they do.

By Marg on Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 07:15 pm:

I liked them in the beginning, but when things become to sugar coated like marriages, imo, there are no perfect marriages, you have to wonder.

As a child I thought people were perfect, etc. But when you grow out of that stage and when things are to picture perfect, I always wonder is it for show? Or what are they really covering up that they don't want people to see.

By Hol on Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 08:09 pm:

Marg - I feel the same way. Things often are not what they seem. I, too, was very idealistic when I was young. However,too many times it's all smoke and mirrors in the name of marketing. If saying that you have a perfect marriage/family makes you millions of dollars, you want to promote that image. He's sure making a lot more money doing TV than he would in private practice. Of course, in private practice, your life could be in a shambles and no one would know.

By Reds9298 on Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 08:44 pm:

It's easy to "work out twice a day" when you don't have a REAL job!! LOL

It also sounds like the obesity is a family thing for him, which as a doctor, he should know. That has nothing to do with her.

Hol- You're right that we all get different vibes from different people. It's strange, isn't it? It never ceases to amaze me how I STILL think everyone thinks like me and when I realize they don't, I'm usually stunned! LOL I agree with Bobbie that I think this was a good topic. Interesting to hear the thoughts of others on this one.