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'Appallingly Cruel': Dr. Phil Slammed for ‘Exploitative' Interview With Mentally ill Shelley Duvall

Some, including Stanley Kubrick's daughter, have called for a boycott of Dr. Phil.

Shelley Duvall surfaced publicly after years away from the spotlight in a new and shocking "Dr. Phil" interview that has drawn criticism and calls to boycott the talk show.

The 67-year-old actress, who played Jack Nicholson's wife in Stanley Kubrick's 1980 thriller "The Shining" and Olive Oyl, love interest of Robin Williams' in the 1980 film "Popeye," signaled on the talk show she is battling mental illness.

"I'm very sick, I need help," she told Dr. Phil McGraw in the interview, which airs Friday.

Dr. Phil’s new book addresses different ways to spot “bad people in your life,” as well as how to win in your own life. He believes that the world we live in can be harmful to children who use the Internet, so Dr. Phil discusses what parents need to teach to their children.

"Well, that's why I'm here," he replies.

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Duvall retired from acting and kept away from the spotlight about 15 years ago, when she filmed the comedy movie "Manna from Heaven." In the interview she talks about the late Williams, saying she doesn't think he is dead, but is rather "shape-shifting."

"Do you see him?" Dr. Phil asks her, to which she replies, "Have, yes."

She also says, "The man who's threatening me is the Sheriff of Nottingham" and that she has a "worrying disc" inside of her.

Many people took to social media to slam Dr. Phil for the interview, saying he is "exploiting" Duvall. Some, including "The Shining" director's daughter Vivian Kubrick, who called for a boycott of Dr. Phil.

Kubrick posted on her Twitter page Wednesday an open letter to the host, saying he was putting the actress "'on show' while she is suffering from a pitiable state of ill health."

"Unquestionably, this is purely a form of lurid and exploitative entertainment--it's appallingly cruel," she wrote.

"Whatever dignity a mere unfortunate creature might have in this world is denied by your displaying her in this way," Vivian continued. "I recoil in complete disgust. I hope others will join me in boycotting your utterly heartless form of entertainment, because it has nothing to do with compassionate healing."

Copyright E! Online
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