Dr. Phil Gets His Piece of Ted (Homeless to Hollywood) Williams

If ever there was a sorry soul, it's Ted Williams, pop culture's formerly homeless and now famous man of the hour. Ted Williams is the latest feel good story, making the thoughtful wonder, "Is his rescue from the streets, and his subsequent exploitation by the media, "too much, too soon?"

In case you have been living under a rock and missed out on this new pop culture sensation, Ted Williams was a talented voice-over and radio announcer until he lost his job, family and home due to alcohol and drug addiction. He ended up a petty criminal and homeless.

Mr. Williams attracted media attention when a reporter videotaped him panhandling while holding up a handwritten cardboard sign advertising his vocal talent, and asking for work. The reporter asked him to demonstrate his voice in an impromptu radio promo, and the rest is history.

The video went viral and was posted on You Tube. Viewers pledged money, clothing and jobs. On January 5^th, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kraft Macaroni offered him a job, and the media, all the media, came calling.

Within the past 10 days Mr. Williams has been interviewed by The Early Show, LateNight with Jimmy Fallon, Today, the Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell. Jay Leno and finally the one and only, Dr. Phil.

For what it is worth, watching Mr. Williams with Dr. Phil was upsetting to say the least. As the painfully thin, exhausted, scared Ted Williams sat, wide eyed with fear, trying to project some semblance of dignity, Dr. Phil sternly pointed out every mistake and bad choice the man had ever made.

Mr. Williams never knew when to admit his mistakes or try to explain them, as Dr. Phil pointed his finger and peppered the frightened, fragile recovering addict with his best Dr. Philisms.

"You cannot change what you do not acknowledge," he said. "Past behavior is indicative of future behavior," and the scariest Philism of them all, even threatened the audience, "You only get one second chance."

As Mr. Williams sat captive in his chair, Dr. Phil happily showed visuals of Mr. Williams' 12 mug shots for stealing and other unsavory acts. He even commented on Mr. Williams' changing hairstyles on his photos. Viewers and the audience were treated to a video of the box Mr. Williams lived in with a "toxic companion."

Dr. Phil must be pleased with his new project. He was licking his lips and looking like he could swallow Mr. Williams in one gulp. What an entertainment coup this will be, making this poor man face his demons in public, tracking his successes and failures. There's even more to come.

Dr. Phil is holding a family intervention for all the family and people Mr. Williams has ever hurt in his entire life. They will all be there, thanks to drphil.com. Dr. Phil promises the stage will be full, and of course it will be televised. Mr. Williams, poor soul, has to show up.

Drama and craziness are guaranteed. Dr. Phil will use this family as a long term project as long he can.

What's next? The possibilities are endless. Instead of sending this man to a long term, rehabilitation facility where he could get some treatment, peace and direction, Dr. Phil's fashion and hair experts might instead, give Mr. Williams a complete makeover with perhaps a little plastic surgery thrown in.

His nose and eyebrows could use a little work, and a complete makeover would be great for ratings.

Sources:

Dr. Phil Show

Wikipedia

IMO