Shows This Week

Monday - February 6, 2012

The Girl in the Closet

It was a crime that shocked the world: 8-year-old Lauren was locked in a pitch-black closet, infested with lice and surrounded by human waste, held captive by her mother and step-father for six years. When she was found, Lauren was naked and emaciated, weighing only 25 pounds and standing just 3-feet tall. In a Dr. Phil exclusive, Lauren, now 18, speaks out about her horrifying experience. Among the atrocities: Lauren never saw grass or sunlight from the age of 2 to 8, and was confined to cramped spaces such as toy boxes, closets, crawl spaces and car trunks. On the rare occasions she was released from her isolation, she says she was sexually and physically abused by both her parents and her parents’ friends. Lauren was also denied food and water until near starvation, until she was finally discovered by a neighbor in 2001. Today, for the first time since her rescue, Lauren is reunited with the people who freed her. See their emotional reunion, and learn what Lauren would say to her parents -- who are now behind bars for life -- if given the chance. Then, learn how Lauren is coping and moving on in her new life with her adoptive mother Sabrina, a woman who raised Lauren until she was 2, when she was forced to return her to her birth mother and her horrific fate. Hear the tireless efforts Sabrina has made to help Lauren put her life back together. What are Sabrina's biggest fears for the daughter she has always felt was hers? Plus, get the warning signs of child abuse, and learn what to do if you suspect a child is in danger. Tune into this must-see daytime television exclusive. Warning: This episode contains disturbing and sexually explicit content. Viewer discretion advised.

Tuesday - February 7, 2012

Teen Mama Drama

Parents, pay attention: In the United States, one in six girls will become a teen mom, and oftentimes, the baby's father gets a free pass and is not held to the same responsibilities in raising the child. Eighteen-year-old Taten has no job, no phone, no car and no permanent place to live. What he does have is a 3-month old daughter with one teenage girl and a second child on the way, according to another. Autumn, 16, gave birth to Taten’s daughter, Emma, in August and although Taten has cheated on her numerous times, and possibly fathered another child with her former best friend while pregnant with his baby, Autumn still wants Taten in her life. Autumn’s mom, Michelle, couldn’t feel more differently and says, “I wish Taten would drop off the face of the Earth.” Caitlyn, 16, says she is currently five months pregnant with Taten’s second child. Taten has his doubts. Caitlyn’s mother, Dana, says, “The thought of Taten makes me physically sick.” Taten says he wants to be with Autumn because he doesn’t want to “tear their family apart,” but admits that if their relationship doesn’t work out, he might want to be wiling to give it a shot with Caitlyn. What will the results of Taten’s paternity test reveal? Is he the father of Caitlyn’s baby, and will he man-up and be a better dad to one -- or both -- babies? How will the teens and their mothers deal with the outcome? Dr. Phil reveals the hard facts about teen pregnancy: Find out what the future may have in store for these young moms. And, can he convince them that they're better off as friends than enemies? If you suspect your teen may be sexually active, you can't afford to miss this show!

Wednesday - February 8, 2012

Donny Osmond

From teen idol to 54-year-old superstar, song-and-dance entertainer Donny Osmond has stood the test of time for five decades. Now, in this special one-on-one interview with Dr. Phil, he opens up about the incredible highs and crushing lows of childhood fame and the pressure to be perfect under the glaring lights of show business. From the sometimes crippling anxiety he faced as a pop star, to his secrets to building and sustaining a happy marriage and staying "forever young," the season nine champion of Dancing with the Stars shares intimate details of his life's journey. Hear his fondest memories of Michael Jackson, and see a surprise visit and performance from his idol: music legend Stevie Wonder. Don't miss this star-powered Dr. Phil.

Thursday - February 9, 2012

Beauty Queen Hits Rock Bottom

How did 21-year-old Jenna go from being a straight-A UC Berkeley student and former beauty queen to sleeping in a drug house and used as sexual currency? She says her life began spiraling out of control when she became addicted to heroin and meth. Since then, Jenna's mom, Ann, says her only child has been in and out of rehab and goes missing for weeks at a time. Desperate to save her daughter, she turned to Dr. Phil. With the help of recovering addict and former Dr. Phil guest Brandon and his mom, Debbie, an intervention was arranged. But when confronted by her friends and family, how does Jenna respond? Does she take the offer for help to heart? And, what role does Ann play in her daughter's addiction? Is her unwavering support jeopardizing her daughter's chances to get clean? Dr. Phil and Debbie lay it on the line for Ann, who they believe is an enabling mom. Then, Jenna's former classmate and friend, John, suffered a heart attack — after allegedly ingesting alcohol, cocaine and marijuana — that left him with permanent brain damage. His mom, Madelyn, alleges Jenna introduced him to cocaine. Does Jenna blame herself for what happened to John? When one person is addicted, it affects the entire family. Tune in to get Dr. Phil's steps to creating a healthy home environment for someone struggling with or recovering from substance abuse.

Friday - February 10, 2012

Inside the Powell Family Tragedy

In what is reported to be a deliberate, planned-out crime, Josh Powell may have attacked his two sons, Charles, 7, and Braden, 5, with a hatchet before flames from the fiery explosion he ignited engulfed them all in the double murder-suicide last Sunday. Long named a “person of interest” in his wife, Susan Powell’s, disappearance in 2009, Powell was recently ordered in a court hearing to undergo psychosexual testing before he could regain custody of his sons, who had been living with Susan’s parents, Chuck and Judy Cox. Minutes before the explosion, he sent emails to family and friends detailing his last wishes and reportedly left a voicemail with family members, saying, "I am not able to live without my sons, and I'm not able to go on anymore. I'm sorry to everyone I've hurt. Goodbye.” Did the boys ever reveal details about the night Susan disappeared? And, how are Susan’s parents handling this new unspeakable tragedy?

LAST WEEK'S SHOWS

- Unforgivable Acts?

- What Were You Thinking?

- Double Trouble: Violent Twins

- The Dr. Phil Family Returns: Alexandra Goes to Rehab

- Missing in a Moment: Baby Lisa