Texas schooled

With Oprah focused on real stars, Dr. Phil plans his own surprise birthday party

Celebrity shrink Dr. Phil is posing as popular: For his 60th birthday today, he arranged for his own "surprise" birthday party at a Beverly Hills Hotel, to be broadcast as a very special episode on the Dr. Phil Show.

He enlisted wife Robin to host the faux surprise bash, asking the trophy spouse if she was planning an "event" for his birthday. Since his one 1000th episode two years ago drew large audiences, he decided to give his viewers another very special Dr. Phil Show, with hopes of repeat blockbuster ratings.

"Leave it to Phil to plan his own surprise party," a source told dubious tabloid National Enquirer, adding, "Phil even practiced his 'shocked look' for when he walked into the room."

With 2009 earnings of $80 million, you'd think the Oprah Winfrey Show alumnus could buy better friends. Old bud Britney Spears may still be miffed over his exposé of the pop princess' breakdown following an exclusive interview with her during a 2008 stint in rehab. Dr. Phil has been a staunch critic of pornography, but we imagine that included in the surprise committee is his son Jay McCraw and wife Erica Dahm, one of the famous Playboy Playmate triplets

Dr. Phil earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from North Texas State University and has penned 13 self-help books aimed at weight loss and relationships, such as Love Smart: Find the One You Want - Fix the One You Got. Perhaps he could use a course in party planning.

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"Here come the grannies!"

Walk through the Magic Door to experience the world of Bluey in Houston

bluey and bingo's bedroom at camp in houston

Courtesy of CAMP

Houston will soon be the home of a new CAMP store, featuring interactive installations like the house from "Bluey."

Bluey is coming to the Galleria this February “for real life” through an immersive event that invites visitors to enter the world of the famous Australian Heeler family. This one-of-a-kind experience brings the Heeler home and backyard to life with intricate details that will delight fans of all ages.

Tickets are on sale now for Bluey x CAMP, the inaugural interactive experience of the combination toy store, party venue, and immersive theater space. This is The Family Experience Company’s first CAMP location in Houston, with the business securing a 7,500-square-foot permanent retail space in the Galleria.

Through “The Magic Door,” a pivoting wall, visitors step into seasonally rotating interactive spaces beginning with a 5,000-square-foot lifesize replica of Bluey’s house.

Visitors can play games made popular by the show, such as grannies and keepy uppy, and bust a move when “dance mode” is activated. The kitchen’s fridge is covered in drawings by the Heeler puppies, while the living room TV plays Bluey.

Families can explore both a pillow fort and a cardboard castle — two-story structures complete with slides — before venturing into a playroom stocked with toys and costumes from the show. In the backyard, a recreation of the Heeler’s large tree is surrounded by charming gnomes. A photo opportunity with Bluey and Bingo tops off the visit.

Beyond the world of Bluey, CAMP offers even more for visitors in its Canteen space, with a splatter room, The Schmutz Bar (a slime creation station), a party room, and a playable truck. Customers can also shop for toys, clothing, and accessories.

Houston joins a list of CAMP’s locations in Dallas, Atlanta, New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. Installations change seasonally, with other current features including Paw Patrol, The Little Mermaid, and Encanto.

Courtesy of CAMP

Houston will soon be the home of a new CAMP store, featuring interactive installations like the house from "Bluey."

bluey galleria-houston camp bluey x camp