psychology

Ben Silverman, the executive producer of Ugly Betty and The Office, has more than sitcoms up his sleeve. Silverman and friends are introducing a game show called Identity to television before the end of the year. Taking the Deal or No Deal approach to scheduling, NBC has decided to fast-track the show and air it every night over an eight night stretch between December 18th and December 22nd. Penn Jillette, one half of magic duo Penn & Teller and co-host of Showtime's Bullshit, will host.

Why does Paula Abdul continue to set herself up for mean jokes from Simon Cowell? This time she's going to be featured on a Valentine's Day special edition of Dr. Phil where the two try to figure out why she's been married two times and is once again single. One of the problems, according to the press release for the show, is that Paula has a hard time being with men who haven't reached her level of success. [Insert Simon Cowell jab here]

After she and Dr. Phil have dissected her relationship issues, Paula will choose one man out of ten to go on a blind date. That date will be filmed, of course, and Dr. Phil will also dissect that. Why can't The Smoking Gun do an expose on this man?

Dr. Phil is giving advice to people who are trying to find a mate on the internet. He's signed on to dish out pearls of wisdom to potential couples on Match.com. Subscribers who pay $13/month for premium service will have access to McGraw's tips. Of course, they won't be in written form. Dr. Phil's written words just don't deliver without his incredulous looks and his Texas accent. His tips to daters will be in the form of 50 video clips, covering topics from communication, first impressions, and meaningful conversations. One of Dr. Phil's tidbits: "If you want to be a winner in love, you want to be a winner in relationships, then do what it takes." People have to pay $13/month for that crap?