Dr. Phil goes on political rant on Dominique Sachse's new show
Dr. Phil McGraw has a strange interview on Dominique Sachse's new morning show Morning on Merit Street. Dr. Phil McGraw, host of the daytime talk show Dr. Phil, launched Merit Street Media, which he believes will prove to be a "clionion voice network" and a "game-changing" network. McGraw discussed the launch of the network with Dominique Sachse and Stinger, stating that he hopes it will challenge viewers to think for themselves and form at a time when "common sense" and "clarity" were needed regarding values and cultural issues. He also mentioned his recently released book, "We've Got Issues," which he said served as a "blueprint" for the show and his new show, Dr.Phil Primetime, and the network. The second episode of "Morning on Merit Stinger" premiered on Wednesday morning, featuring segments about cell phone use in classrooms, author Deepak Chopra, a report about a new generation of female astronauts, and McGraw's criticism of the Obama administration's response to pandemic-related stimulus checks.
Published : 4 weeks ago by Ariana Garcia in Entertainment Politics
Segments on the show's first episode included topics about cell phone use in classrooms, an interview with author Deepak Chopra, a report about a new generation of female astronauts—and an unusual rant from McGraw, host of the longtime daytime talk show Dr. Phil, which ended in spring of 2023 after 21 seasons. McGraw sat down with Sachse and Stinger to discuss why he launched the new network.
"I think that Merit Street Media is a hero network," McGraw said. "I really believe this is going to prove to be a clarion voice network." Expounding on his vision, McGraw said that when history looks back at the "game-changing" network, he hopes people will agree that it formed at a time when "common sense" and "clarity" were needed regarding "values and what was important to keep this country on track—culturally and societally."
After claiming Americans are currently having a hard time finding news that is just the facts, McGraw said he hopes Morning on Merit Street will not only entertain and inform, but challenge viewers to think for themselves. McGraw also pointed to his recently released book dubbed We've Got Issues: How You Can Stand Strong for America's Soul and Sanity, which he said served as a "blueprint" for the show, his new show Dr. Phil Primetime, and the network. The book touches on so-called "cancel culture," a decline in what he calls patriotism and American values, which also served as subjects of a later segment on the morning show.
"I do believe that this country, this society, this culture, was built on hard work," McGraw said. "We seem to have so many forces in this country that are trying to get away from that and we need to get focused on that. You need to earn your way in this world. Nobody gets a free ride." McGraw reiterated, adding the phrase "There's no free lunch" has existed for generations because it "always applies."
McGraw continued, adding: "If they come and tell you, 'We're your government. We're here to help you. We're going to give you $1,000 a month. We're going to give you bonuses on top of unemployment. We're going to pay you to not work. Just kick back, sit in a bean bag and eat Cheetos. We'll send you money and we're all going to have the same outcome at the end.' No, we're not." The comments appeared to be a call-back to Republican critiques of pandemic-related stimulus checks, which ranged from $1,000 to $2,000.
To finish off his rant, McGraw said that Americans should be willing to give others a hand up, "but not everyone a hand out." It's unclear who McGraw was referring to when he made this statement. Merit Street Media did not immediately respond to a request for comment as of this writing. McGraw has publicly stated that he considers himself to be pro-immigration, though he has been critical of the Biden administration's response to issues at the Texas border. "I am very pro-immigration," McGraw said in a recent interview. "But I think it has to be controlled. We need to know who is coming into our country."
The second episode of Morning on Merit Street premiered on Wednesday morning. McGraw was not a featured guest this time around, and segments centered around parenting tips and more lighthearted lifestyle topics, like the brain health benefits of dancing. The show marks a change of pace for Sachse who was previously limited to more impartial topics during her 28 years at KPRC.
Reflecting on why she joined the channel, Sachse said she didn't think she would ever return to news, "but this is news done differently and it's something I couldn't say no to."