HOLLYWOOD, CA--(Marketwire - Sep 7, 2012) - Dr. Phil will open Season 11 of his number one-rated syndicated daytime talk show with the exclusive interview of Mark and Sondra Osterman. They are best friends with George Zimmerman, the man charged with the second degree murder of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin. Also appearing is Martin's stepmother who breaks her silence for the first time regarding the case. This emotionally charged episode airs Monday, September 10, 2012 (check local listings).

On the night of February 26, 2012, Zimmerman, an off-duty neighborhood watchman, was driving through a gated community in Sanford, Florida, on his way to run an errand. Following a call to 9-1-1, Zimmerman left his vehicle and got into an altercation with the 17-year-old Martin, which ended with Zimmerman shooting Martin dead. It was Mark Osterman who had helped Zimmerman pick out the gun that he used in the shooting. Although he had not been charged with any crime following the incident, Zimmerman feared for his life and he and his wife sought refuge with the Ostermans for nearly a month. During the show, Dr. Phil drills down using his inimitable style of questioning to find out why the couple is so supportive of Zimmerman and whether they feel Zimmerman's actions were justifiable acts of self-defense or if the neighborhood watchman went beyond his assigned duties and took the law into his own hands. "They feel like they have information that sheds dramatic light on what happened that fateful night," said Dr. Phil. On April 11, 2012, Zimmerman was formally charged with the second degree murder of Trayvon Martin. 

Alicia Martin, Trayvon's stepmother, will also appear on the show, breaking her silence for the first time about that fateful night. 

(For clip access, please see links below.)

Later, on Friday, September 14, Dr. Phil will speak with the parents of Trayvon as Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, along with their older son, Jahvaris, appear on the show. They have come to Dr. Phil seeking solace from this horrible tragedy and to learn how to move on with their lives. 

Also airing in September…

"New York Soccer Madam?" airs Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Anna Gristina made national headlines when she was arrested and accused of running a multimillion dollar prostitution empire out of an Upper East Side apartment. In a DR. PHIL television exclusive, the 44-year-old mother tells her side of the story. 

"Top Model Intervention" airs Wednesday, September 12, 2012
In what could be the most challenging drug intervention in over 10 seasons on his show, Dr. Phil literally follows a former "America's Next Top Model" contestant out of the stage door to offer counsel and attempt to get her to agree to go to rehab when she breaks down and flees in the middle of the taping. 

"Robert Blake Revealed: The Man Behind the Murder Headlines" airs Thursday, September 13, 2012
The controversial actor sits down for a rare interview to talk with Dr. Phil about what he says really happened the night his wife was killed and what his life has been like since he was acquitted of her murder. Dr. Phil's questions surprised Blake, who responded with raw and emotional candor.

"Dad Accused of Faking His Own Death" airs Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Raymond Roth was reported missing by his son, Jonathan, on July 28 from Jones Beach. Following a massive search, he was found alive at a time-share he owned at a Florida resort. It was later alleged that Jonathan was involved in a plan to collect on a nearly half-a-million dollar insurance policy. For the first time, Jonathan will reveal what he claims is the real story behind the shocking headlines.

The syndicated series, DR. PHIL, was created by Harpo Productions, and is produced by Peteski Productions in association with CBS Television Distribution. DR. PHIL is the leader in syndicated daytime talk, a position it took following the departure of The Oprah Winfrey Show in May, 2011. Until then and since its inception in 2002, DR. PHIL consistently ranked #2 behind only Oprah. (Source: NSS Ranking Report)

Clips of the show are available at the following links:

http://mediadb.tv/dp_guest1/ZIMMERMAN_CLIP_1.mov

http://mediadb.tv/dp_guest1/ZIMMERMAN_CLIP_2.mov

(Username: dp_guest1, Password: dpparamount)

Credit footage and photo to CBS Television Distribution / Peteski Productions.

Documents and/or Photos available for this release:

Sondra and Mark Osterman and Dr. Phil

To view supporting documents and/or photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 337084