Dr. Phil Surprises Viewers By Calling Them At Home

(June 16, 2009, Los Angeles) - When viewers speak, Dr. Phil listens! Dr. Phil asked viewers this summer to pick the episodes they most wanted to revisit, and they responded by selecting 20 episodes out of the nearly 1,300 that have been broadcast since DR. PHIL premiered in 2002.

These classic episodes, which fans felt spoke directly to them, and affected a change in how they live their own lives, will begin airing Thursday, June 18 and on most Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer. (Check local listing; schedule subject to change).

Dr. Phil fans who logged on to WWW. DRPHIL.COM were invited to vote on the shows they considered the most memorable. Several lucky survey participants who thought they were just filling out a form were shocked to receive a phone call from Dr. Phil himself, not only to chat about the shows they selected, but to discuss what they would like to see on DR. PHIL in Season 8.

"These are shows that struck a chord with my audience," said Dr. Phil, "the ones that made them look at their own lives a little differently. A great story is worth repeating, and these classics will provide a look into our past as well as our future."

The overwhelming choice to kick off the Classic Double Play series on Thursday, June 18, was the very first DR. PHIL (OAD September 16, 2002), and introduced Americans to a daily dose of  his "get real" approach to living their best lives.  The episode dealt heartbreakingly with a single mother who knew she was doing damage to her children every time she screamed and swore at them, but had no idea how to change her behavior until she came to DR. PHIL.  (Please click on the link below to see a clip of this vintage breakthrough moment).

In Trading Places (current airdate July 28; OAD May 16, 2003), Dr. Phil dons a disguise and reports for work at Costco's return desk in a show about envying others' lives; in Roles in Marriage (current airdate August 11; OAD November 6, 2002), Dr. Phil and Robin reverse their husband and wife roles and it's Dr. Phil's chance to do the grocery shopping, deal with the laundry and bake a cake, and in A Family Divided (current airdate July 23; OAD September 18, 2003), the very first Dr. Phil Family is introduced.

The complete schedule of "CLASSIC DOUBLE PLAYS" will be available on http://www.cbspressexpress.com/siteadmin/actions/www.drphil.com.

CLIP:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8KN32tEHu0

About The DR. PHIL Show: The syndicated series, DR. PHIL, was created by Harpo Productions, and is produced by Peteski Productions in association with CBS Television Distribution.  It is broadcast on over 214 stations representing 100% of the country.  Since its debut in September 2002, the series has been ranked second among all daytime talk shows and consistently ranks among the Top Ten of all syndicated strips (Source: NSS Ranking Report).

• MUST MENTION TUNE IN TO "DR. PHIL"

• FOR ONLINE USE, PLEASE HOTLINK TO WWW.DRPHIL.COM