Public Headlines, Private Pain

Picture of Yaniece Thomas
Imagine one day you’re leading a normal life and the next you find yourself at the center of a media frenzy. That’s what happened to people like Sara Evans’ former best friend, Alison Clinton, and the pages involved in the Mark Foley scandal. Their personal lives were plastered on every newspaper and TV station across the country. We’ve all hit rough patches in our lives, but having our dirty laundry aired publicly -- whether it’s at work or in the local paper -- makes it even harder to deal with. Have you ever found yourself in this situation?

Comments

I know Alison Clinton, and she's not the sweet girl she's trying to act like. She's actually very emotionally unstable and is milking this for every second of attention possible. She wants to be a female country singer. Sound like anyone else? Like Sara maybe? Come on. Alison's name has been removed from the court documents. She should move on and stop exploiting it.

Alison: You should never become friends with your employer, you need to draw a line in the sand and never cross it.

Tyson: Let's face it, Foley was too old for you and not your cup of tea. You could have closed the IM box and terminated conversations at any time you desired.

Jill: You are way to refined and beautiful for Kid (Bob) Rock. If history repeats itself, Pam and Kid will follow in the steps of Britney and Kevin. You are a classy lady and I wish you the best with your new love interest.

hey i watched the show about sara evans and i think you should hear from her before people start saying things about sara she is an awsome person i dont know her but from what i've seen she is awsome and her nanny could have calmed herself and still lied about that lie detecter test so lets hear from sara now dr.keith

What do mean give Sara Evans a chance to speak? She has spoken. Very publicly in fact. Sara has used her fame to her advantage. What else is Allison Clinton suppose to do to defend her self other than be on good moral shows like Dr. Keith Ablow. Funny that Sara Evans decided to do this while getting attention on Dancing With the Stars.

Dr. Keith, In your "Anger Illness" episode, you state it's a problem with "MOTHERS" all over the country. If "mothers" are the primary caregivers then I can see how it can be true, however, anger is NOT simply a problem with mothers but a problem with PARENTS. If a father is a single parent who's working, parenting, cooking, cleaning and managing all by theirselves, I do believe with all my heart that they would be full of rage as well. I'm watching your show and I'm hoping you can encourage all FATHERS to pitch in and help out with their children whether they're living with the mother or not. Even though uninvolved fathers will not realistically help out, THEY SHOULD BE HELD PARTIALLY RESPONSIBLE. The redheaded girl with the 3 yr old and infant...how the the father DISAPPEAR SO QUICLKLY!!

Like some other commenters, I was really disappointed in how the show handled the Alison Clinton & Sara Evans issue. It was completely one-sided against Ms. Evans -- everyone who was commenting about it had a reason to 'lie' or misstate facts. And Sara Evans cannot be held responsible for Clinton's mental illness. Was she supposed to ignore the adultery issue because Clinton is 'delicate'? I think not. Clinton's attempt to blame Sara Evans for her eating disorder was competely out of line & made me lose respect for her then & there. I'd expected more from Dr. Keith.

I watch your show every day and thought you had a fair equal balanced show until the show about Sara Evans and her longtime friend Alison Clinton . I hope that you give Sara the same chance in the spotlight as you did Alison. Appearing on your show with you standing by her side like you did Alison's.I doubt you know the truth about their little dark secrets. I Believe there are two sides to this drama and you and your show were not fair to Sara. I urge you to offer Sara the show to bad mouth Alison Clinton as she did Sara while Dr. Keith Ablow stands right by Sara's side sympathizing with her as he Did Alison. Should we be watching such a UNFAIR and UNBALANCED show ? I didn't even know who Sara Evans was until dancing with stars so I am not a fan of Sara Evans just thought that you gave Alison Clinton
a format for her poor me platform with no representation on Sara's side.

I really enjoy your show, but the show featuring Alison Clinton was biased and unfair. I am not a psychologist or Doctor, but I do know a thing or two about manipulative people who can pass a lie detector test--one being my ex-husband who turned out to be a sexual predator--he could pass his polygraphs with flying colours and lie with a smile on his face, and still gain sympathy and understanding from people! I also know that people with addictions and disorders are great at sneaking, lying, and deceiving people, and I believe that Alison may be doing so. To have her mother blatantly blame Sara for her daughter's relapse in her problems is unfair, as it appears this woman has had problems long before she was ever friends with Sara Evans. There are also two sides to every story, and as a fan of Sara's, I do believe the real truth will come out sometime. I also believe that Alison has been on many shows, including yours proclaiming her innocence and taking polygraphs--why would she go on so many shows to do so if she was so innocent? If she was truly innocent of all accusations, she would stay calm and quiet and let Sara and her husband work it out. I personally believe she wants sympathy and attention, as she has proven this by being on so many TV shows. The only interview I have ever seen Sara do is when she withdrew from the Dancing with the Stars show, and then, she has been quiet and private about her divorce...Alison, as I have stated, has exploited this beyond. Thank you for letting me share my feelings.

I watch your show daily and this was the first time that I disagreed with the way you handled your topic. There is two sides to every story and the way you presented Sara Evan's reasons for divorce was very one-sided. I sympathize with Alison and hope that her and Sara can sit down and discuss what's going on. I do think that whatever the truth may be, Sara honestly believes that what she is accusing her husband of is true. I have always been a fan of Sara's due to her great voice and music and also because of her natural curves. I rooted for her on "Dancing with the Stars" and I saw a woman who was very nervous and self-conscious due to being out of her comfort zone and having to be judged by critics. When you see Sara in concert, she is extremely confident, having a great time, and loving what she does. I thought her interview on "Dancing with the Stars" showed a strong woman who has been hurt and is trying to deal with the fact that her life is in the public eye. My sympathies goes to all families involved. I just hope that next time you don't conclude that someone is lying when you have no idea what might be going on on the other side(s) of the story.

I feel sorry for Sara Evans.Who care's if her former friend and Nanny took a lie detector test. Those won't stand up in court. A person can lie on them and still pass, I know this for a fact. 23 years ago, I worked in a place that thing's were stolen from the work place, I knew the black girl who took them, but I was not going to sqeel on her. THe black girl took the test and was caught, and fired. I took the test, and lied during questions and passed the lie detector test. They asked if I knew who took the things I said no, but I did. I lied during some other questions but passed. There are ways to pass even though your lieing. I'm living proof of that.

Hopefully, such a one sided story on your show is the exception instead of the rule. This was the first time, we watched and will be the last. Your comdemnation of Sara seems to be the same as what you and your guest are blaming Sara for doing to her. No proof or evidence of Sara lying about the situation. We won't know the truth until the case goes further, because of the gag order. Alison and her mother putting the blame on Sara for Alison's illness is also unfair. Last I heard it is an illness and not the patient's fault or anyone's. Maybe Alison should get help for her mental problems and not get encouragement from people like your show, who would use her to get ratings. Everyone admits how Sara has helped Alison many many times and has helped others with this disease. It is a shame, when you are being used by someone trying to get their 10 minute of fame. Obviously, Alison couldn't make it own her ability and must resort to this.

The one question I have for Vivyan is how old is he now and why didn't he report this years earlier even last year. Coincidently right before an election, hmmmmmmmmm

I believe Sara Evans is using her former friend, Allison Clinton, to get out of her contractual committment with Dancing with the Stars. Evans is stating, while she was on the Dancing with the Stars program, she shouldn't be liable for not fulfilling her agreeementon the show.

I am disappointed that this show did not reveal that an affair does not have to be sexual. An emotional affair is just as damaging to a marriage. My spouse was obsessed with a coworker and was searching for porno on line. The coworker was addicted to my spouse's attention and would not stop the relationship. My spouse went thru withdraws of this coworkers attention as well. And for this young woman to say she knows what goes on in a mans mind. Wishful thinking. Everyone thought my spouse would never cheat but he admitted he was in love with his coworker, but she didnt know his feelings.
It can happen, an emotional affair is just as damaging as a sexual affair. Dr Keith, I like your show I watch it daily as I do housework. It's a shame that emotional affairs topic was not even addressed. This young woman was very focused on herself. If she still wants to talk with accused, then maybe she is not being truthful herself. Did she allow her friendship to go too far even though it was not sexual? I have to question. Emotional affairs are addictions and marriage damaging. Trust goes many ways. If you trust too much, things can happen as well. If they believe its not an affair nor believe they will be caught. it is a set up to happen.

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