Dr. Phil Sued For Losing Guest's Only Copy Of Unpublished Domestic Violence Book
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on October 21, 2023 at 1:15 PM EDT
Dr. Phil McGraw, who hosted The 'Dr. Phil' Show, is being sued for allegedly losing a guest's unpublished book on domestic violence.
According to legal documents, obtained by The Blast, a woman named Brianna Norwood is suing Dr. Phil and the show for losing her ONLY copy of a book she wrote on domestic violence. She detailed an account of working with producers of the show, to prepare for an interview in his studio, which included sending in the transcript of her book.
In the filing, Norwood says she wrote a book regarding domestic violence called, "Blood, Sweat, and Tears" which took over five years to finish. During negotiations for an interview on the Dr. Phil Show, she says she shipped the only copy to a senior producer on the show -- Justin Arluck.
She indicated, "This was her only copy and she had no other copy with respect to the book other than the copy that was given to Justin Arluck. Juon numerous occasions continually indicated that he would protect the book and return it."
Dr. Phil Accused Of Losing Guests Only Copy Of Unpublished Book
The woman said she requested "the return of the book on numerous occasions for several years, Justin Arluck indicated he wanted to keep the book because it was a fantastic book on domestic violence and he wanted others to read it including Dr. Phil McGraw."
Based on the conversations, and believing the book was highly credible, she was invited to be a "VIP on the Dr. Phil show in 2020. At that point in time she was advised that her book would be returned to her following her appearance on the show."
Norwood taped an episode of the show discussing the topic.
But, she alleges from 2020 to 2023, she kept "requesting the return of her book and personally spoke to Dr. Phil McGraw. Dr. Phil McGraw and Justin Arluck continually indicated the book would be returned."
Adding, "It was not until February 2023 that Dr. Phil admitted the book had negligently been lost and was not in the possession of the Dr. Phil show, Dr. Phil Calvin McGraw or Justin Arluck."
Unfortunately, Norwood says the Dr. Phil show and its' staff LOST the book and her life's work. She is suing for a number of things, including, "Potentially loss of significant book sales; Extreme emotional distress and anxiety including PTSD; Potentially interviews with other shows which would have increased the sales of her book, and Time in re-writing a new book."
As you know, the host of the show, which just recently ended its run after 21 years, began as a spinoff from Oprah Winfrey’s show and took over daytime television.
‘Dr. Phil Show’ Accused of Toxic Workplace
Earlier this year, it was reported that several former and then-current employees of the daytime show have been mentally and emotionally scarred from working on the set.
Per our previous report, “a dozen current and former employees say they experienced verbal abuse in a workplace that fosters fear, intimidation, and racism.”
Several of the employees also claim the guests brought onto the “Dr. Phil Show” is “manipulated and treated unethically”.
“I would have nightmares. I would literally be working. In my sleep and have nightmares about something wrong or not turning in something the right way,” one former employee explained. “Even when I quit, I had to go to therapy for it, which is crazy because you’re working for a therapist.”
Another former employee of Dr. Phil's explained that everyone was “just pretty miserable".
“You would walk into the building and there was just a palpable dread and anxiety. Dr Phil – the show about mental health where everybody who works on it has terrible mental. Health because our work conditions were really bad,” they claimed.
The case is ongoing.
