Dr. Phil is set to break free
from Oprah Winfrey in a
bitter clash of the daytime
TV superstars.
The tough-talking psychologist
wants to escape the grasp of chat
show queen Oprah and branch out
on his own.
Oprah, 51, gave Dr. Phil, 54, his big
break after inviting him for a string
of guest appearances and helped his
self-help spin-off become a huge hit.
But The National Enquirer can reveal
that Oprah's role as executive
producer and the control she holds
over the Dr. Phil Show through her
Harpo Productions company has
strained their once fast friendship.
Now friends say the two barely talk.
"Although Phil will always be
grateful to Oprah for launching his
career, he feels he has repaid her
many times over and now it is time to
cut the cord," said an insider.
The afternoon heavyweights met
when Oprah hired Dr. Phil to be her
strategist after she was taken to
court by Texas ranchers over her
claims she would never eat beef
again because of mad cow disease.
The psychologist helped her win the
case and ended up getting his own
show. It didn't come without strings,
however -- Oprah has the power to
nix any Dr Phil show she doesn't like
and her protégé's contract stipulates
that he cannot air a competing show
at the same time as Oprah airs hers.
Oprah is said to have become increasingly
annoyed at her former
pal's aggressive attitude and his attempts
to bring his wife, Robin, 51,
and son, Jay, 25, in on his act by
using them to counsel guests.
Oprah even criticized his decision
to endorse a line of nutritional products,
saying it was "not a choice I
would have made for myself."
Their private feud burst into the
open when Dr. Phil was sparring
with one of his feisty guests, opinionated
former Apprentice contestant
Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, and
told her he planned to buy back the
rights to his show this summer.
In an exclusive interview with the
The National Enquirer, Omarosa
told how Dr. Phil erupted in anger
while she was filming an appearance
for his May 2 sweeps show.
"During a break Dr. Phil asked me
about any upcoming projects I have
pending and I mentioned how much
control everyone wants to have over
you," said Omarosa.
"Dr. Phil said immediately, 'I sure
do understand about control.'
"I was surprised by his attitude and
said, 'But you have the best situation
working for Oprah Winfrey.'
"He said, 'Not for long! After we are
finished with this season I am going
to buy back my show from Oprah. I
want to control my own show, do
things my way for a change.'"
Publicists for both Oprah and Dr.
Phil failed to reply to calls for comment
on the split.
