Collector on TV

The Dr. Phil show will feature a woman with a couple hundred cats and
disgruntled neighbors on his show on Wednesday. Nov. 15. I don't know if
this show is available internationally, but information is available at
Drphil.com.

Annie, wondering how the show will handle this issue

sriddles...

Annie, did you watch the show? What did you think?
The cats (or the ones they showed, anyway) looked healthy and the woman
seemed to somehow have the financial means to care for them, or at
least feed them, and they allegedly were all vaccinated and neutered.
But, realistically, I don't think *anyone* can take proper care of 200
cats. No way, not without help. I just don't see how.

jmcquown...

Considering he's a psychologist (or is he a psychiatrist?) they'll probably
try to get the woman some help. Hopefully the cats are healthy; it's
usually not the case.

kilikini...

You're right, Jill. People who collect animals usually don't have healthy
cats, unfortunately. I mean, how could they afford vet care on all of them?
I have three and feel overwhelmed by them sometimes, let alone having 100 or
more??????

EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)...

Well seeing to the care and feeding of "a couple hundred
cats", even if you have help, is no light task! (Point of
information: Is "Dr. Phil" a REAL psycholgist/psychiatrist,
or just a TV personality who poses as one?)

sriddles...

He's not just posing as one, although I'm not sure exactly what his
degree is.
Of course he'll get some kind of "help" for the woman, because that's
what the show is all about. What I"m curious about is what importance
he places on the welfare of the cats.
I'm also curious what possesses these people to get on national TV and
spill their guts about their problems. I can't *imagine* doing that.

tension_on_the_wire...

There is a scary percentage of people who will do just about
anything, no matter how undignified, for fifteen precious
minutes of pseudo-fame.

EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)...

If there weren't there'd be no "reality" shows on TV. (May
that day come soon!)

jXwXeXrXmXoXnXt...

I don't understand the desire for fame. When I was a child I thought I
would love to be famous. I was taught that it's wonderful to be famous
and that everyone would have it if they could get it. But as soon as I
got old enough to realize just how terrible fame is, I was *glad* I
didn't have it. Blech! Having people recognize you on the street and
come up to talk to you whether you want them to or not, interrupting
your private moments? Projecting all sorts of fantasies on you, good,
bad, and just plain weird - sometimes acting them out? You can keep fame,
thank you - I prefer my anonymity and privacy.

Jo Firey...

That is a major psych problem in and of itself.

We all know people who can't stay our of trouble because they thrive on the
drama.

EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)...

Same mentality that prompts people to do bizarre things on
"reality" shows in hopes of getting large sums of money.
(Actually, they work harder for less return than if they got
a "real" job.)