I agree completely, in a way I think Dr. Phil's show is worse at times. Rather than exploit people physically, like the bum fights creator does, he exploits them emotionally. He takes people in the most fucked up home situations and displays them for the nation to see so he can fill his bank account.
The bum fights creator just takes the dregs of society and gives them a chance to earn a little money for some funny footage. I don't approve of it, but Dr. Phil trying to play the saint next to the bum fights creator is hypocritical to say the least. He staged the whole thing. The bum fights creator did not ask to be put on the show, Dr. Phil decided to make a show about it. To dress up like Dr. Phil was genius though, he was showing Dr. Phil that they are not so different.
Don't think that by watching Dr. Phil or any of those other fucking shows that you are any different from someone watching bum fights. You're entertaining yourself watching other peoples problems. Dr. Phil viewers just think its ok since people on the show are average Americans rather than hobos. The emotional pain being experienced by some of those people put on the screen by Dr. Phil in order to make money is far worse than the physical pain of some drunken mentally challenged hobo getting punched.