Celebrity Tennis scores on Tennis Channel

An intriguing new television series was slipped under the radar, an hour and a half before prime time, last night with the debut of Celebrity Tennis on Tennis Channel. Seventies TV actor, Rock 'n' Roll High School star and poker mogul Vince van Patten returns to his tennis roots by interviewing and playing tennis with some top pop culture figures. Last night it was Dr. Phil McGraw. For once, the guy didn't seem grumpy-- and it turns out he's a tennis nut. Van Patten is a smooth, knowledgeable and ingratiating presence who's definitely in his element.


This is one of the rare celebrity interview shows that's not about hype and promoting the latest product, but passion and insight into what drives people we hold up as something special. Tennis Channel could make hay with it. Especially seeing that Christie Brinkley is up next Monday at 6:30 pm Eastern time. She's 56 today. And she's delightful.

Click here to watch Celebrity Tennis with Dr. Phil online

Dr. Phil to focus on human trafficking

Tina Malave, Tabloid Baby pal and correspondent on the 2005 revival of A Current Affair, wants us to watch the Dr. Phil show tomorrow, Friday, October 10th.

For good reason! It features an issue and a person Tina's brought to public attention.

Tina writes:

Hi Everybody,

I just wanted to let you know that this Friday the Dr. Phil Show is airing their first ever show about Human Trafficking and they feature my friend Maria Suarez, whose book I'm currently writing. They packed a lot into the show, which was incredibly insightful, but because of time, they were not able to share all the details of Maria's amazing and unbelievable story.

For those of you not familiar with her story; Maria came to America legally at the age of 15. Two weeks after arriving in California she was offered a job helping an elderly couple by a woman she met in front of her house. But instead, the woman sold her to a 67 year old pedophile known in his neighborhood as a "brujo" or witch, who practiced black magic.

For 5 years Maria was physically, sexually, emotionally and spiritually tortured by this man, before he was killed by a neighbor who was being harrassed by the old man as well. The killer and his wife pinned the crime on Maria, who at that point was an emotionally broken girl who didn't understand English or the legal system. She ended up serving 22 1/2 years in prison for a crime she did not commit before the CA Board of Prison Terms finally re-investigated her case and released her.

Her story is incredible, but what's even more amazing is that Maria managed to walk out of almost 3 decades of hell with the untouched heart of an angel. While in prison she learned English, got her GED and took college courses, and she is now a counselor for abused woman as well as men who are abusers. She's truly a remarkable and inspirational woman, and I'm proud to call her a friend.

It's so important that high profile shows like Dr. Phil continue to do episodes and follow ups to bring awareness to the buying and selling of human beings that is going on, right here in America, in mind blowing numbers.

If you have the time after the show airs on Friday, please visit the Dr. Phil Show website (www.drphil.com) and tell them you want to hear more stories about this crime, how to end it, and more about Maria's story.

We appreciate your support! Please pass this on!

All the Best,

Tina Malave and Maria Suarez