Television's Dr. Oz testified before a Senate Committee hearing about his name and image being used without his permission, but found himself quickly on the defensive. INSIDE EDITION reports.
Dr. Oz finds himself in a rare position—on the hot seat.
The beloved TV doctor headed to Washington to testify before a Senate committee about weight loss products that were using his name and likeness without his permission.
Dr. Oz testified, "I am forced to defend my reputation every single day. These ads take money from trusting viewers, many of whom believe I'm actually selling the items."
But it was Dr. Oz who ended up getting grilled.
Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri asked, "Why would you say something is a miracle in a bottle?"
Dr. Oz replied, "My job, I feel on the show is to be a cheerleader for the audience. When they don't think they have hope, when they don't think it can happen, I went out there and I look. I do look everywhere, including alternative healing traditions for any evidence that might be supportive to them."
But Senator McCaskill suggested the Dr. Oz show is fueling the craze.In one episode of his show, Dr. Oz presents a product and says, "This miracle pill can burn fat fast."
McCaskill said, "I don't get why you need to say this stuff because you know it's not true. Why would you cheapen your show by saying things like that?"
Dr. Oz replied, "In an intent to engage viewers, I use flowery language. I use language that was very passionate. But it ended up not being helpful but incendiary and it provided fodder for unscrupulous advertisers."
McCaskill said, "I know you feel like a victim, but sometimes conduct invites being a victim and I think if you were more careful, you wouldn't be as victimized quite as frequently."
"Senator McCaskill, it has not changed at all, what I'm seeing on the internet. And quite frankly, it's worse. So, I completely heed the commentary," replied Dr. Oz.
