Phil McGraw

Psychologist Phil McGraw-known to millions as Dr. Phil-has used his blunt, no-nonsense approach to shame guests on his hit syndicated show, "Dr. Phil" (2002- ), into getting real and healing themselves. Never one to promise easy cures by the end of his hour-long program, McGraw has made a point of telling viewers and guests that he's providing a wake-up call to their problems. McGraw has been called a great many things-arrogant, aggressive, controversial, confident, irreproachable, and authoritative-but never ingratiating. In his meteoric rise to the top of the daytime talk circuit-his mentor and producer Oprah Winfrey has been the only one to beat him in the ratings-Dr. Phil has dispensed his tough love to millions of adoring fans who hang on his every word, nod obediently, and could care less about his checkered past, making him "America's Favorite Therapist."