So Dr. Phil asked me to be on his show…..
April 16th 2008 by D in I won the lotteryI received the following email.
———————————————————————Hi “real lottery winner”
I work for the Dr. Phil Show and we are currently working on a show topic that I think you may be able to help us with. We are doing a show dealing with the stresses of money and family. We have booked family’s that have been torn apart by inheritance and wills. But I would love to have Dr. Phil talk to a person who has won the lottery and feels that it has forged a spilt between their family. From what I have read on your blog, I don’t see that you have had to deal with this but it looks like you have done some research on the topic and may recall an article or two. F you could please give me a call that would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Gyllian Carter
Senior Associate Producer
Dr. Phil Show – CBS Paramount Studios
********** wrk
***********@cbsparamount.com
—————————————————————————
I don’t think I’m going to do it. Its completely legitimate, I’ve researched, and called. But all in all, what do you guys think?
Social Bookmarking
My opinion-
I wouldnt do it. From what I understood, you wanted to stay as low key as possible. I feel that it was a very wise decision to do so. I would hate to feel that I can no longer live my life because of others always wanting something, safety being compromised, etc.
Also, do you have this issue with your family? I have read that you have had some drama with them but is it to the extent they have said? It seems that he has recognized that as well, but what articles could you provide that he couldnt find himself? I wouldnt want them to make a “drama filled” show at my or my families expense.
Just my opinion. In either case, good luck.
i dont plan on doing it. unless they keep me shadowed and pay me so i can donate it to charity.
HAY!
a) i was totally one of the original subscribers, and i am happy to have you back posting
b) I THINK you should do it, but that’s only because i want to see what you look like. if I were you, i wouldn’t do it, because Dr. Phil is satan and yeah…what muneca said.
c) it’s cool that your site is a big enough deal to catch the attention of a huge television network!
And here I thought no one read my blog….. Guess I was wrong.
I wouldn’t do it either, for no other reason than I wouldnt want to be on TV in that capacity.
Yeah, I’m thinking I’m not doing it.
There’s no way I’d do that.
(& you probably should take her contact info off the blog, just a suggestion)
I wouldn’t do it. From what she said in the email it doesn’t seem like your experiences would be worth the newfound risk of having everyone know who you are.
Wait, wasn’t part of this website thing to be anonymous with your winnings, even if just a bit? Obviously those of us in the series of tubes that is the internet may not equate you with this site, unless of course your the only guest of that particular show type, but still. Seems a bit strange given your current anonymousness (obviously your not completely anonymous, that just can’t happen, but you know what I mean).
Yeah, true. I have decided to decline the offer.
Yay! I am so glad you are posting again! I am glad to hear that you are declining the Dr. Phil offer. Dr. Phil is a terrible person, and a hypocrite. He doesn’t really want to help anyone, he just wants higher ratings. He might as well be Jerry Springer.
And also, I was wondering if you ended up giving anything to those dog groomers that I wrote you about. I know someone donated, though I don’t know how much. It’s been a while, so I figure that money’s been passed on to them, but I was hoping to hear and update or something. They never said anything to me about it, and I still see them every 3 weeks.
Is there any closure here? I can’t wait to hear how it went!
And I am so so happy that you are back to blogging! Also, congrats on the weight loss!
Kathy, the funds are still sitting in a paypal account. It was a minimal amount. I would like to get more together for them though.
Glad you decided not to do the dr. phil show…you know because of the risk of fraud and all.
Also, if you don’t donate a decent amount to those groomers like you said you would and which you took donations from readers I will make sure to call you out in public and bring this whole sham down ;). I want to see REAL proof that you sent the donation very soon or this fantasy comes to an end. And you know exactly what I mean ;).
Ok, J.?
I think its great that you’ve tried unsuccessfully to WHOIS my domain
You’re not even close to being in the ballpark of where I am. Also, I only got 1 $10 donation for those people. I was waiting for something a little more substantial. 
Nice try. If you really want to play that way then I can go ahead and call you out in public and end this little game you got going here.
Do you really think whois info is what I am talking about?
And I don’t care how much total you got for the donations. It was supposed to go there and you being a supposed rich guy should have no problem throwing in a nice chunck yourself.
So there you have it. Either spend some of your harde earned money to keep this sham going and make a real donation like you said you would or watch as your little identity, I mean the real one, is made public ;).
I’ve sat back and watched you play this out since the start and didn’t see any harm with it as long as you were just trying to “inspire” people to do good things but was watching for any scams before I spoke up. And I consider taking donations (any amount) and not putting that towards what it was supposed to be as well as not following through a scam. So if $10 is really all you got then if you do nothing, that $10 is goin to cost you the integrety of this site and your super hero identity ;). I’d like to see the donation along with a hefty amount from you go through, along with obvious proof.
Feel free to delete this post but if you don’t follow through you won’t be able to delete the storm I bring down on you/this blog lol ;).
Do you need me to post some hints to prove I know so you know I am serious?
I encourage you to bring the “storm”. No hints are needed, please just come on out with it. I’ll let my webmaster know that our traffic is about to go bananas.
lol. You really think I don’t know? How’s the axe?
And you are funny pretending you have a “webmaster”…You are just a broke ass struggling to pay your bills with otherwise crappy sites.
I thought this was a clever idea but since you think it is ok to scam people then I’ll make it public as well as report you for fraud since you did accept donations. You may want to consider to refunding any donations you have accepted before as then it would just be you being a lier rather than fraud.
Thought then there is the issue of you saying ad revenue was going to be donated.
I don’t care if you play it off…you can go ahead and make the donation and show solid proof that you did then go ahead and delete these post and let the charade continue. Or you can play tough guy and get reported for fraud for accepting donations without following through. Not sure if your woman or kid would enjoy you going to jail for fraud ;).
One way or another, I hope you take this serious.
Okay, this all things is ridiculous “I know who you are”,
If you believe is a fraud and a swindler just go ahead, stop with the all talking O_o.
I mean, if he is indeed, you shouldn’t even think about it, and report him immediately, what’s the point with reasoning him?…
Acting like someone else is horrible enough, I don’t think you should be thinking about giving him any chance to get away with it.
Okay, you want to take the money back to those users or those people, and I absolutely understand that, but the all act is rather boring and useless.
Just tell what you think it’s true.
Plus, you shouldn’t have let him done in the first place, cause knowing someone is acting as someone is not, and letting him do just because he might be an inspiration is absolutely irresponsible too!
Maure,
I agree to a point. But as long as he was just posting his “stories” and not accepting money or flat out frauding people I didn’t see a problem with it personally. I thought it was a clever idea and from reading the many replies from visitors it did seem to inspire quite a few people and only looked to have positive results.
Once h
e said he was going to donate to a family, and then accepted visitor donations, he stepped beyond fantasy and was commiting fraud. He says he got minimal donations but I’m not sure how much I believe anything he says.
So I’d like to either see positive proof that he follows through with the donation or those that donated get their money back. At that point we are back to just discussing the morality of making a blog based on fantasy and leading people on to believe. Again, I dind’t see much wrong with that and it seemed to have positive results but I do have a problem with him profiting directly from those people, besides the ads.
If he follows through with either making the donation or refunding the donators money and keeps from accepting money for anything or directly taking advatage of the readers then I don’t have a problem. There are plenty of fantasy or fictional sites out there meant for entertainment and I don’t see this one as much different. As long as there isn’t something more sketchy going on.
“I know who you are”
Ronnie, I do appreciate the donation you gave for the family. Unfortunately yours was the only donation received. I will certainly remain true to my word, and send the family a $20 donation, no problem. Matter of fact, I’m taking care of it as we speak.
Also, I love dotdriven.com !!
Go figure.
-D
Ronnie, I also feel like since out of ALL my readers you were the only person to donate, you would be a little more irritated at your fellow man than me
At any rate, here are the stats as they lay.
This site has earned no revenue via advertisements.
I received one $10 donation from you Ronnie G (last name withheld) And I matched it with my $10 and it is now in money order form, in an envelope headed for the spruce pooch in bucks county pa.
Thanks for your concern, and please try and be kind to people, haven’t you been reading?
Then is sounds like we get to continue the charade ;). As long as nothing else sketchy goes down then I have no problem with the level of fantasy on this blog and enjoy it to be honest. Just keep legit beyond the theme ;).
If there was any confusion as to my motive then I just want to be clear as I just want it/you to stay legit and not take advantage of people with your “anonymity” and the story they have been led to believe. As mentioned above, entertainment and fantasy are all well and good and inspiring people to help others is great but lets keep it at that ;).
Feel free to delete these post if you wish
I can leave it, no one reads anymore anyway
You guys are both irresponsible.
irresponsible yet no one else bothered to donate to help a family out a little? I understand your frustration of learning the truth as I was a bit turned off after I figured it out after the second day lol, but, well, welcome to the internet where half of what you see isn’t what it appears to be. But just because a site is based on fantasy and people really believe it doesn’t mean it can’t be a good influence and promote a positive message. Sure, it’s sketchy if built on a lie but, well, most forms of entertainment are.
Oh wow, what are you talking about? lol
I feel no such a thing as frustration. You are irresponsible too, and what happened with that poor family is part of your fault lol.
You’re not totally wrong cause you tried to stop it in the end but still, it wouldn’t have happened in the first place if you took what I see as the right decision.
What you say about internet is true, but I believe that once you’ve acknowledge such an act, it’s your duty to report it :).
I am strongly convinced that something based on lie can’t be a good influence for no one, cause in the end, people would have discovered it, and it would have reached a critical point.
Frustration of learning the truth, that’s funny.
Maure,
What do you mean by “what happened to that poor family is part your fault”? What happened to them?
What happened was they never got a donation, which they didn’t expect or know about anyway not because of something I did, or did not do, or what he (reallotterywinner) did or did not do but because no one else bothered to donate a single cent.
I donated a little because I felt compelled to help out someone that sounded in need and deserved a surpise reagardless of knowing the thruth behind this blog. I didn’t donate much but assumed, combined with other donations from other generous people, that it would help make a difference.
As far as something good and positive coming from a “lie” or fantasy, I have to disgree. Although I think it can be damaging if people learn the truth behind their inspiration if it isn’t what they thought, but that doesn’t take away any of the good they may have done while inspired. Or what about those that happened to pass through the blog and got inspired to help people but didn’t return (to learn the “aweful truth”). I think some people may feel cheated but don’t think that deters them from wanting to help people or do good regardless.
I’m a poor chick and I’d rather give my time to help others, instead of my money.
I need my money to pay bills, but my time is free. I don’t ever give money. I give time and food. I can swing a hammer, pick up trash and be useful with my time. I give food to people who need it. If you’ve been hungry, food helps. Giving is not about money.
For all I know, D won a million bucks and he/she’s 25. That’s not much. Why give D a hard time for anything?