Quote:
Originally Posted by Bellamack
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I don't think he "endorsed" Weight Watchers per say,he just tells patients that it works. That is what my doctor does, same with different programs that work for quiting smoking. I think when you are in the spot light, there are alot of inaccurate reporting and you have to listen to the wording quite carefully.
Actually, I did listen to the wording quite carefully. But I should have been more careful in MY wording. He did not simply endorse Weight Watchers or tell audiences that "it works." Neither of which would have bothered me. Even a simple endorsement deal, in which he appeared in WW commercial or two to recommend the program wouldn't have bothered me as much as the reality.
Rather, Dr. Oz has "partnered with" Weight Watcher's on a project called the "Million Dollar You" challenge, which will end in a televised "American Idol" style "vote-off" show, and a million dollar cash prize.
This is far more than an endorsement deal, it's a joint project - making WW and Dr Oz, business partners (at least on this project).
I have nothing against the project, itself - it actually sounds like a great idea.
Here's a youtube video of Dr. Oz explaining the project
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_TeVExkA4A
In this video, Dr. Oz clarifies that WW membership is not required (this was not made clear in the spot that I'd seen at the end of one of his shows).
I'm glad to hear that WW membership is not a requirement of participation, but the partnership deal still rubs me the wrong way, as well as the nature of the project - it's going to make both Dr. Oz and Weight Watchers a lot of money. And there's nothing wrong with that, but it's an amount of money that can cloud impartiality.