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How Dr. Phil Live Became the Most Unpredictable Comedy Show in America
From Garage Gag to Theater Tour
Adam Ray’s parody of Dr. Phil started as a joke in a garage. Today, it’s filling theaters across the country. His character, originally developed during the pandemic with help from longtime collaborator Jeremiah Watkins, has grown into a full-length live show that feels like part stand-up, part sketch, and part improv — but mostly, a brand-new format all its own.
Ray never planned for it to become a touring act. In fact, he stumbled into the role while shooting a pilot. A friend mentioned he looked like Dr. Phil with his bald cap and mustache. That led to a test set at the Laugh Factory and eventually the “lost episodes” filmed during lockdown. Once theaters reopened, Ray turned the act into a live event with high energy, celebrity guests, and zero scripting.
What Makes It Different
Every Dr. Phil Live show is unscripted. There’s a loose structure, with crowd work, monologues, interviews, and games. But the content changes night to night, making each show a one-time experience. Jeremiah Watkins plays a new character every performance, often surprising Ray onstage to create genuine reactions and unexpected turns. Their chemistry is key. As Ray puts it, “I’ve got the wheel, but he can take it at any time.”
The show features recurring catchphrases, on-the-spot characters, and physical comedy. The performances are fast-paced but flexible. It’s not just stand-up, and it’s definitely not a podcast. Instead, it blends 20 years of Ray’s comedy experience — podcasting, crowd work, sketches, and character acting — into one live format.
Not Just for Laughs
Ray’s impression has taken him to the NFL Network, Netflix, and Kill Tony, helping lift his visibility across mainstream platforms. But it’s also become a vehicle to showcase and support fellow comics. Watkins, for example, has used the platform to explore dozens of original characters. Guest comics like Bill Burr, Bobby Lee, and Kumail Nanjiani have appeared in bits that go completely off-script — sometimes hilariously, sometimes awkwardly.
One infamous moment involved a Craigslist Elvis impersonator who refused to play along, bombing so hard it created one of the night’s biggest laughs. “I’ve never bombed this hard by association,” Watkins said.