One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Naked Man in 'Dr. Phil House' Fails to Help Women Feel Better
What do you get when you ask Dr. Phil to help you improve your interpersonal dynamics with others? A naked man running through your house, according to the Daily Breeze.
Two women participating in "The Dr. Phil House" reality TV show got far more than they bargained for when they agreed to take part in an episode that was supposed to help them overcome difficulties interacting with others. To test their reactions, Dr. Phil arranged to have a nudist sent to the show house. Instead of taking a closer look at their emotions, they took a very close look at a naked stranger...something they didn't want to see.
Shirley Rae Dieu, 56, of Irvine, and Crystal Matchett, 26, of Westland, Mich. have filed suit against Dr. Phil and CBS for fraud, negligent misrepresentation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
In her sworn statement, Matchett states that "As a naked man ran into the house, I was in shock and total disbelief of what was happening, feeling violated and disgusted."
Dieu, for her part, was busy hiding in the bedroom when a Dr. Phil staffer banged on the door and said "Come out, come out Shirley and see the naked man."
Dr. Phil's attorney says this was all very common stuff in the daily life of trying to help people increase their tolerance for new situations.