The Internet was all abuzz today with the bombshell that '70s child star Mackenzie Phillips had a sexual relationship with her father, the late musician John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas, for 10 years. Phillips's memoir "High on Arrival" hit stores today, and she appeared on "Oprah" to talk about her experience, which she termed "consensual incest."What followed was one of the most uncomfortable hours of television we've ever seen. When Phillips reads the passage detailing the first time she found herself having sex with her father (she had woken up from a blackout to discover what was happening and does call it rape), the audience is completely silent. The camera pans to a few shocked audience members.
Oprah Winfrey, meanwhile, is just flat-out flummoxed. This isn't kind, nurturing Oprah; this is confused, judgmental Oprah. She tries hard to hide her disgust at the 10-year relationship.
Phillips says she wrote the book to speak out about consensual and non-consensual incest because "I can't be the only person who has lived through this."
The sexual relationship ended when Mackenzie discovered she was pregnant and didn't know if John Phillips or another man was the father. Mackenzie had an abortion, which John paid for. John Phillips died in 2001.
But this being the "Oprah" show, we needed as "happy" an ending as you could find after 45 minutes of massively uncomfortable talk about incest. Phillips's "One Day at a Time" co-star Valerie Bertinelli comes out to lend support to her TV sister. Bertinelli talks about how "guilty" she feels about the bad rap Mackenzie got during their time on TV.
Phillips will be on "Oprah" again Friday to talk about the aftermath of her shocking revelation. Sister Chynna Phillips will also be talking to the queen of daytime television. Now that's going to be an uncomfortable family reunion.
Tell us: Should Mackenzie Phillips be the voice of consensual incest? Should anyone?













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Thursday 24 September
By Halii
wow i dont kno what 2 think except that i find it 2 b a very sad situation 2 b in!
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Thursday 24 September
By Malai
I think that this is an extremely sad situation. A person who views incest as consensual has some definate mental issues and doesnt understand being taking advantage of. I pray that people dont judge her to harshly for she is truly a victim of her fathers disgusting sexual perversions. I pray for her and anyone who may be in the same situation. We always should be able to trust that our parents will never do harm to us, but unfortunately this world is full of crazy people.
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Sunday 27 September
By Charlotte
Why does this not shock me? Celeb's who do drugs and have no morals to begin with,
and bring children into this world, erahhhhhhhh and abuse their own children?
His own child smoking dope at 14? Geesh.....and
this environment we all live in, in our World today? Headlines in the news about
stripper having affair with priest? Judge not unless you be judged is pretty
difficult to do!!!! I am so glad I don't have to bring five children into this
World today!! Where are the family devotions and morality today?Crazy is
a term used loosely for consensual incest which is a mortal sin.
Thursday 24 September
By Rebecca
I have to agree that this was one of the momest uncomfortable television scenes I have ever watched and Oprah showed very little empathy or sympathy for Mackenzie Phillips' difficult trauma of discussing it. What has happened to your Oprah's heart?
It was very brave for Mackenzie Phillips to come out and discuss the horrors of what her father did to her and I believe that it will help others who have experienced or are experiencing these kinds of sexual incestual abusive plights in life.
I pray that you find peace in your soul from this MacKenzie and thank you for your courage.
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Thursday 24 September
By Julie
I think her story is a bit attention seeking. Everyone needs to stop giving it so much attention. Therapy might be necessary, but I thought she had already gotten it. But no newspaper headlines.
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Thursday 24 September
By anonymous
I did not see the show, but this story breaks my heart. I understand she 'thinks' it is consensual sex, but a child is not able to consent. That is why we have laws protecting them! They are not mature enough, nor do they have the capacity to make such a choice as consensual sex. Now add incest to the brew!?! A child trusts and loves their parent so of course they 'think' it is consensual.
Mackenzie - you are a victim here, regardless of your participation. Someone who should have cared and nurtured you took horrible advantage of you. I will pray for you Mackenzie...
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Thursday 24 September
By carol
i just wish she ddn:t see the need to tell her secret!! the news people start salivating with this kind of news! everyone wants to get there first to pick her skin apart and get all the juicy details!!!!! where does this help her???
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Thursday 24 September
By Art
Now that John is gone for her to reveal it now is Suspect. How would he be turned on to get with his daughter. Doesn't make sense
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Monday 28 September
By Ant
She wasn't a child, she was 19. It could have been consentual, since she says she blacked out. I think people are making her to be the victim, when she carried this on for 10 years. She's just as twisted as the old man.
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Saturday 17 October
By really really
Mac is a victim to a certain point. I heard she did this with her father til she was 29? Her and her father are the Devil and his daughter. Mac needs a Smack!! I am sure things like this go on, but do we really need to know? Go to a shrink, tell a priest at confession, but leave your stomach turning practices out of the limelight. Mac is a disgusting, filthy crack whore who has NO SHAME and is looking to make money on telling her evil tales of abusing drugs, drink, killing unborn babies and cheating on her husband by having concentual sex with her own father. And Oprah is just as disgusting to have such a vile woman on her show and having such content be aired during the day when children can see this kinda stuff. Mac, her father's corpse and Oprah belong in the lowest bowls of a cess pool!
Thursday 24 September
By maggie
If MacKenzie's tale is true, she should have kept it to herself - the bottom line (imo) is that she needs money so told her story to the public- true or not it's all about M(ONEY.
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Thursday 24 September
By Barb
Nope. Don't buy it. She doesn't have a job. Never really did. Now she wants her dead Father to keep paying her salary.
Even it it's true and it probably is, she should be with a therapist. Not a book..
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Friday 25 September
By Barbara
I wish she wouldnt of said the word consentual!It shows me she's still taking blame.There was nothing consentual about it in my eyes.She was young when it started,drugged also and afterwards just confused and mind sick.Opra should of saw that one comming and said something!
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Monday 12 October
By Lisa
I agree totally with Barbara.. especially through the years ...some of her guests suffering she seems to judge or be insensitive. It's sad.
Thursday 24 September
By william venne
the entire sorted story should have remained closed we do not need to know
this horrible story and we blame both for lack of control after all there is lines we just dont cross in any family setting tharaphy is A must and God willing he can forgive such A horrible act we cannot judge anyone but it is shocking and disguisting at the same time.
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Thursday 24 September
By Tom
Mackenzie Phillips is a disgusting junkie who knowingly had incestuous relations with her own father when she was an adult. "It" doesn'[t deserve sympathy or book sales. Valerie Bertinelli must have her head up her butt to defend this woman, she is clearly a pig. Valerie may be her only ally now that Phillips' family has turned against her. And what is up with Oprah to have this crap on her show, is she that desperate for guests?
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Friday 25 September
By chris
Who are you to judge? This man took advantage of his OWN daughter. This is what is disqusting! Ms. Phillips needs all of the support she can get and needs our prayers-not criticism. I am glad that Ms. Bertinelli is good enough and kind enough to be there for her!!
Saturday 26 September
By Janie
I agree with you completely. This morning she was on the "Today Show" slurring her words and giving different answers to questions that Oprah asked. She was an adult and knew better. She wanted to ride Dad's coat tails and do his drugs. She is desperate for money now.
Saturday 26 September
By G.Marc
OK, you're a real idiot.!!! Can't you see that someone that has been brought up to roll joints at the age of 10 and taught the proper way to shoot cocaine by her father, has no knowledge of what is "normal" or "right"!! Her whole life was idolizing her father blindly (he was NOT a good guy and sad that she doesn't even get that still). So she has taken a whole life to learn what is right and wrong and how to live it without drugs. And OPRAH... what happened to you!!! No sympathy, no empathy... with all your wisdom on helping and feeling for others and having Dr. Phil on your show, so many times you couldn't even understand what happened here?? Shame on you for sitting silent on this one!
Sunday 27 September
By Madison
I feel the same way I feel she was like a junkie turning tricks for drugs with dear old dad. It appears her sitter pretty normal I believe Valerie just came on show to get some notority I mean what has she been on latley Jenny Craig commercial her husband rock legend runs around with out his teeth in