On one side, there is an atheist and avowed bachelor. On the other side, a psychologist who believes that family and faith are the keys to overcoming our current problems.
These polar opposites engaged in intense debate on Friday’s Real Time, as Bill Maher faced off against the spirited Dr. Phil McGraw, author of the new book, We’ve Got Issues: How You Can Stand Strong for America’s Soul and Sanity, and soon to host Dr. Phil Primetime on his new cable network, Merit Street Media.
Dr. Phil received a standing ovation upon entering, and Maher acknowledged that he has been America’s therapist for a long time. Maher noted that Dr. Phil now seems to want to do the same for the country at large.
Dr. Phil agreed, stating that he wanted to do it “in steps.” He mentioned how people’s concerns have evolved over time and how the internet is playing a transformative role in society.
Maher and Dr. Phil discussed the impact of “wokeness” on society and debated whether some of Dr. Phil’s proposals were politically motivated. They clashed over the importance of family in America and the challenges faced by families today.
The discussion also touched on masculinity, immigration, and the state of the country under the Biden administration. The panel included Tim Ryan, a former Democratic Congressman, and Batya Ungar-Sargon, Opinion editor at Newsweek.
Maher’s “New Rules” segment focused on the need for Biden to embrace his age as a strength and to shift his communication strategy to reach a broader audience.
