NYC Sues Dr. Phils Son to Block Release of Pro-Cop Reality Show

Phil McGraw‘s son has been sued over a pro-cop TV show about the New York Police Department by the city, which alleges that releasing some of the footage will endanger officers.

New York City, in a lawsuit filed on Wednesday in New York state court, accuses Jordan McGraw and his production banner, McGraw Media, of looking to sell “extremely problematic” episodes of Behind the Badge that compromise the safety of undercover officers, crime witnesses and victims. It seeks a court order blocking distribution.

Under former Mayor Eric Adams, producers of the title were given behind-the-scenes access to NYPD operations, with the understanding that the city would have the right to review rough cuts of the episodes and that certain material would not be aired. But when city officials in December were given four episodes of the series, McGraw Media refused to remove flagged content, according to the complaint.

The show reveals the faces of undercover officers and civilians, some of whom are victims or witnesses of crimes and didn’t consent to being filmed, the lawsuit claims. Others feature discussions of confidential police operations and information, including the security code to the back-door entrance to a precinct station. Much of the footage is unedited, the lawsuit says, and numerous episodes don’t have audio.

Under the contract, McGraw is barred from using any footage identified by the mayor’s office as compromising public safety, revealing investigatory techniques or portraying NYPD unfavorably.

“Any of this footage airing threatens to interfere with law enforcement investigations, judicial proceedings, deprive numerous arrestees’ rights to a fair trial, and cause significant harm to the city and the department as it would undoubtedly tarnish their reputation and goodwill,” states the complaint, which was filed under Adams’ successor, Zohran Mamdani.

The lawsuit says that McGraw is looking for a buyer to air the series later this year, though he could choose to self-publish at any time. The city brings claims for breach of contract and trademark infringement.

The mayor’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment.