First I want to say, many of us are greatly hoping that what we have seen in the last couple of episodes of The Doctors is an indication of a return to the type of show that many of us have come to know and love! At any rate, you might appreciate this treatise of our outcry regarding The Doctors show. It was so wonderfully, professionally, judiciously and succinctly well-written by another viewer - lucylamb27, considering the perspective of the viewer and the evident intent of the producers. I hope the producers and the fab four doctors read her comments.
LucyLamb27 wrote:
"Perhaps some are overlooking the original purpose and premise of this show: an informative medical show, hosted by four, licensed, board certified DOCTORS (hence, the title: The Doctors!). That is the format to which the loyal viewers have become accustomed over the years, due to the fact that it was unlike any others that have been offered to the viewing public in the past."
"There was NEVER any indication, at least to my knowledge, of any intent to CHANGE this format, and/or introduce a “co-host” who is a NON-doctor (which contradicts the title!) and, in my opinion, the majority who are objecting are doing so because there is no justifiable reason to make these unnecessary changes. The original format and panel were EXCELLENT, and thus the show was enjoying the success that the FOUR worked so hard to create!"
"If change is for the GOOD, that is one issue. However, when change creates tension, argumentative and profane screaming matches, and disrupts the entire flow of the show to the point of distraction, viewers will get lost, confused, uneasy, and disinterested; it absolutely removes people from their comfort zone, and WHY should that be allowed or tolerated, especially when they are left feeling anxious and upset by the “three-ring-circus” atmosphere?"
"Viewers were enjoying the level of comfort that they found in having the ability to learn about medical issues from professional, calm, mild-mannered DOCTORS. Listening to OPINIONS, loudly spewed forth- like lava from a volcano- from the mouth of a fitness trainer (who, in my opinion, does not appear to be able to exercise self-control or self-restraint), is 180 degrees from the original premise of the show, and has anything but a warm, welcoming, or calming effect on people!"
"The negative comments are being made based on the “judgments” that the entire quality, rhythm, and feeling of the show have changed, and not for the better; how else are opinions formed if not from making judgments and drawing conclusions from what is presented? It is unfair for anyone to minimize and/or dismiss the feelings of those who are unhappy with the new direction of the show; you may not understand or agree with that group, but also should not be attempting to criticize or accuse people of being resistant and closed-minded; are you not guilty of the same then?"
"The fitness trainer has been shown attempting to “counsel” and provide information and guidance to people in areas that can either be classified as medical or mental health concerns; they certainly have not been “fitness/exercise” issues, in my opinion! I would question the reason that anyone would seek the OPINIONS of a fitness trainer in regard to those types of topics (ranging from substance abuse to genetic birth defects, etc.), since there is nothing, at least of which I am aware, in the realm of fitness training that would provide credentials allowing the trainer to “counsel” in those areas of science."
"Personally, if I have a medical concern, I seek the services of a medical doctor for treatment. If I were to have mental health concerns, I would seek the services of a psychologist and/or psychiatrist for treatment. However, NEVER would it cross my mind to seek the OPINIONS of a fitness trainer, who is unable to provide treatment, in regard to my medical or mental health!"
"Short segments featuring fitness and exercise instruction, periodically, would be understandable, and welcomed! However, the DAILY distraction of yelling, arguing, over-talking, bad acting, and talk show format topics, is NOT!"
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Awesome post ... thank you CornelH for highlighting / quoting a well-written abstract she wrote. I appreciate that!
Melissa.
Thank you CornelH for quoting Lucylamb27 well written comment. It was beautifully said. I do hope the Drs. or the producers will read these comments. I would love to see Jillian off the show so I could relax again.
Cornel- I was experiencing computer "issues" last night and this morning; everything was freezing, and when I clicked on certain areas of the site, I kept receiving error messages! Not sure if it was actually a problem with my computer, or a problem with the site itself? Anyway, thank you for your kind words, and moving the message along!
I have to agree ... lucylamb27 has managed to put my feelings about the new "Jillian" format into words. I very much hope that the producers decide that this change was a mistake.
Lucylamb27 took the words right out of my mouth....WELL DONE!
CornelH- Thank you for sharing that post. I concur wholeheartedly with lucylamb's comments. As someone in the health profession, I find it insulting to include a non-professional in a medical program giving advice to anyone especially mental health issues. Medical people have taken an oath to do no harm to a patient but the doctor's program is refuting that oath by having a fitness trainer give commentary about issues she is not qualified to give. Additionally, the real experts are not squeamish when they see organs of the body but yet the new star is nearly falling apart when this aspect of the program is explored. As a viewer, I don't need this. Doctor's usually calm and reassures the patient, but if you have someone on a show representing a doctor inciting fear in the patient, what is the point of the show?
Well said Ladeedah. The new star should also not be pounding on the panel when she gets excited. Thats not ladylike.
Great post CornelH
After scanning the program over the past couple of weeks I was encouraged. It appeared that Jillian's role on the show was significantly minimized and Dr. Travis has resumed his hosting duties. However, after watching the first several minutes of today's program beginning with a slightly aggressive interchange between Jillian, the psychiatrist (don't know her name) and the other doctors (without Jim), I think Dr. Phil & the other producers are determined to make them fit in. That's so disappointing. Sometimes you just need to accept that what seemed like a bright idea can turn out to be a really bad idea. The problem no doubt is that it is hard to reverse what you have already invested in and set in motion. Unfortunately, that decision has greatly diminished the credibility of what was a great reputable and entertaining medical information show. I would be surprised if the ratings for The Doctors doesn't drop significantly this season.
Cornel- I, too, was encouraged by the past two Thursdays when the show appeared to be "back to normal"; only to be sadly disappointed when they turned out to be two isolated events, with the rest of the days of each week being "polluted" by either one, or both, of the "co-hosts"!
I suppose that it would be difficult for the producers to admit that they have made a HUGE mistake, but I would assume that some sort of loopholes would have been woven into the contracts! It seems to me that the easiest way "out" would be to give at least the fitness trainer her OWN show!
I don't like to wish adversity on anyone but, in this instance, perhaps if the show DOES experience a drastic drop in the ratings this season, that will be the best way to bring the producers to their senses, and force them to make some changes before the show is just ultimately cancelled outright!
I am in complete agreement with you that it is really such a shame to watch the disintegration, ruination, and potential demise of what was once an outstanding, informational medical show, due to basically what amounts to a "casting error" on the part of the producers. In my opinion, someone should be held accountable, and possibly terminated, for this ill-conceived, unnecessary, and destructive decision!
Neither Dr. Phil nor his son Jay are going to fire each other. Lucy, I really believe this whole change to The Doctors was Dr. Phil's idea. But yeah, you may be right that perhaps the best solution might be to offer Jillian her own show. However, that would not be easy either, not to mention it would also be risky and expensive.
Cornel- I thought about the expense, etc. of creating another show, too! But, how risky and expensive will it be to them if this show goes "belly up"? I guess that either way, we- the viewers- are always going to lose before the producers will!
It just really angers me that this show has been allowed to become so "schmaltzy" now, with all of the "artificial emoting" during typical talk show-type segments.
And, in my opinion, it is insulting to the four Dr.'s that the producers seem to be insinuating that they somehow needed announcers, moderators, or MORE hosts to increase viewership; as if the four weren't already successful enough in accomplishing and maintaining that goal!
And then, to add a "co-host" who has absolutely NO training in either the medical or mental health arenas, just defies any concept of common sense! It is impossible to soundly justify the presence and relevance of an opinionated fitness trainer during the explanations and demonstrations of medical procedures, surgeries, etc., especially when she apparently is not "tough" enough to act like a mature, composed adult when those topics are discussed.
In all honesty, I have never cared much for Dr. Phil, ever since his introduction on the Oprah show. He, too, is quite the "ham actor", so I guess that it should come as no surprise that he would promote yet another example of someone who has attained "celebrity" status based more upon "whom" they know than "what" they know!
Thanks for the thoughtful post CornelH. Hopefully the producers will one day listen. As for now, I am only on the blogs....hoping they will one day tell me that things are improving.
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