Original Air Date:
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Guests:
Dr. Phil returned after 7 years and brought Melissa Moore with him, the daughter of a serial killer, to share her story.
Show Summary:
7 years after Dr. Phil left his regular Tuesday episodes on The Oprah Winfrey Show to start his own television career with The Dr. Phil Show, the pair re-united to bring viewers the story of Melissa Moore, the daughter of a serial killer. Before introducing Melissa, Dr. Phil and Oprah discussed how their relationship has been portrayed in the gossip magazines and tabloids. They expressed that the majority of what these publications print is not true, and in fact, Oprah and Dr. Phil work well together and Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw's marriage is still strong after more than 30 years together. The mood shifted when Dr. Phil introduced Melissa to the show to tell some of her story and ask a few more questions for how to continue healing.
Special Highlights:
Dr. Phil and Oprah spoke to Melissa Moore, the daughter of a serial killer, who shared some of her life experiences with viewers. They included:
- The rumors aren't true: Dr. Phil and Robin's marriage is not on the rocks and Oprah and Dr. Phil are not at war with one another.
- Dr. Phil expressed that the tabloids calling his elderly mother crosses the line.
- Melissa Moore was introduced as a former guest of Dr. Phil's Get Real Retreat and daughter of serial killer Keith Jesperson. Melissa's father admitted to murdering 8 women and is currently serving life in prison without the possibility of parole.
- Melissa admitted struggling with having a duel image of her father as dad and monster in her mind. Dr. Phil worked to help her join those images.
What to Take Away from the Show:
While it was great to see Dr. Phil and Oprah reunited again after 7 years, the biggest lesson from this episode comes from Melissa's story. It was inspiring to see that this woman was able to find the strength to have a family without fear and to finally recognize her father's evil choices and separate herself from his continued manipulations. If you want to know more about Melissa's journey, you can read her memoir Shattered Silence: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer's Daughter.
Products Featured in This Episode:
Melissa Moore - 'Shattered Silence'
Cedar Fort
Melissa Moore's memoir Shattered Silence: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer's Daughter was released on September 8, 2009 by Cedar Fort Publishers. In the book, Melissa reveals the struggles on her journey and the lessons she has learned from being the daughter of a serial killer. View the official book trailer on YouTube.com.
