Last week, the drawling Texan doc with 30 years' experience in all manner of psychiatric disorders was interviewing a repentant flasher. Doctor Phil was up against a guy who was as quick on his feet with answers as he had been with exposing his privates in public. (It sounded like he'd had 50,000 episodes of exposure to his name, and they had resulted in thousands of sexual experiences and a few trips to court and jail. Now he has reformed and not even thought about showing his bits on a bus for 2 years. Quite incredible, but why not!)

He came across as a total exhibitionist, manipulating the conversation, not giving much credit for what seemed like important advances. Yes, Dr Phil was exposed as a one speed interviewer with an agenda for sensationalism, and in essence, he was exposed and outwitted by the ex-flasher.

The doc's only armor against a smart ass is a big aggressive stare and "Don't tell me what to do, say or think." That's right, that is the domain of his producer.

Last Christmas, a very lucid and clear thinking woman ran rings round Dr Phil with her attitude to not celebrating Christmas. She didn't think it was respectful to "celebrate" a religious festival that clearly had been hijacked by commercialism. Dr Phil is a family man who seems to be a god fearing guy. There was almost no room in his thinking for a different approach to Christmas and he stalled loads of times in the argument.

Not that this is the end of the world, but it is getting harder to watch the Dr Phil show and not spend the whole hour shaking your head and cringing at the ever more overt drama-generating program. Bring back Robin, we say. She has a bit more about her.