Original reporting and commentary about polygraphs, voice stress analyzers, and other purported "lie detectors."
On 29-30 October 2020, the Dr. Phil show aired its first polygraph episode since the death of the show’s longtime polygraph operator, Jack Trimarco, in 2018. For that purpose, Dr. Phil brought on John Leo Grogan, whom Trimarco had denounced as “nothing more than a fraud,” but whom host Phil McGraw presented as “one of …
The tabloid television talk show Dr. Phil, which debuted in 2002, has long used polygraphs as a ratings gimmick, especially during Nielsen sweeps, a rating period that is especially important for advertising revenue. For years, the show’s primary polygraph operator was retired FBI special agent Jack Trimarco. However, Trimarco died in 2018, and for some …
TMZ.com lampoons Dr. Phil McGraw’s use of polygraphs and tawdry topics to boost ratings, comparing his daytime television talk show with the Fox network’s game show, The Moment of Truth. In point of fact, however, the Dr. Phil show’s shameless use of lie detectors as a ratings gimmick predates The Moment of Truth and has …