Dr. Phil's bieng sued?Follow

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=494&u=/ap/20040806/ap_en_tv/dr__phil_lawsuit_1&printer=1


LOS ANGELES - A mental health activist sued the "Dr. Phil" talk show, claiming it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act in its treatment of him.



Neal David Sutz of Mesa, Ariz., filed suit in federal court in Phoenix last week in connection with his effort to attend a taping of psychologist Phil McGraw's syndicated series in 2003.

Sutz and other prospective audience members were asked to sign a waiver attesting that they didn't suffer a mental illness and weren't under psychiatric care, according to the suit.

Sutz, who's been treated for bipolar disorder, informed a show representative of his condition and was told he could watch the taping if he didn't talk to McGraw or participate in the program.

Sutz, a paralegal student, declined. In his suit against McGraw and producer Paramount Domestic Television, Sutz alleges that their actions "clearly and brazenly disregarded" the section of the federal disabilities act banning discrimination on the basis of disability.

The studio and McGraw declined comment Thursday, a spokesman said.


We don't want anyone that might realize that shouting at them isn't the solution to mental problems!

Is his doctorate even in clinical psych?!

A clinical psychologist from Texas. Thats just ******* great...

Forgive my ignorance but what is the differance between a psychologist and psychatrist?


About nine years of training and a medical degree.

Well, regardless of the qualifications of Dr. Phill, the case has about zero merit and will likely be tossed.

The federal disabilities act ensures that "public access" facilities can't be denied to those with disabilities, and that job's can't discriminate and and the law can't discriminate.

The position of an audience member on a talk show is not "open", nor does anyone have an equal right to be there. They can be as selective with their audience as they want. The Act simply does not apply here. There is no overriding need for anyone to attend a Dr. Phill taping rather then just watching it on TV like everyone else. There's no real loss to the individual for not being allowed to attend either. Being present during a studio taping is considered a private event in all ways that I'm aware of.

I can't believe anyone even bothered to bring this suit. It's doomed to failure from the get go.

What? You mean I can't hold a casting call in Hollywood for black men ages 18-24 to fill a specific role, then?

It happens, legally, all the time. It's called "casting for a role in a movie/TV show/etc."

If you have an overriding reason to hire people of a specific race (or, alternatively, a specific age, sex, etc.), it IS legal.