Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
City sues to block Adams-era NYPD reality show by Dr. Phil's son, citing safety risks
By
Charles Lane
Published Jan 21, 2026
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
By
Charles Lane
Published Jan 21, 2026
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
New York City filed a lawsuit Wednesday to block a Texas production company from releasing an NYPD reality show filmed during the former Mayor Eric Adams' administration, claiming the footage endangers undercover officers and reveals sensitive police operations.
The lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court accuses McGraw Media, Inc. and its president, Jordan McGraw, of refusing to remove content the city deemed too dangerous to air, including unblurred faces of undercover officers, a security code to a precinct back door and footage of individuals in police custody. It also cites footage of juveniles, crime victims and confidential NYPD tactics.
The 18-episode series, tentatively titled "Behind the Badge," was greenlighted in April 2025 under a contract signed by Adams' then-Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack, according to court documents. The deal granted the production company exclusive behind-the-scenes access to NYPD operations, in exchange for allowing the city to review rough cuts and veto material that could “compromise public safety or the public trust.”
McGraw is the son of Phil McGraw, the reality show personality known as Dr. Phil. McGraw Media’s address also shares an address with Dr. Phil’s media company, Merit Street Media. Dr. Phil Primetime produced several TV episodes featuring Adams, including one titled “Inside NYC’s Crime Crisis” that also featured former deputy mayor for public safety Kaz Daughtry.
The contract also allowed the city to block content that portrayed the NYPD in a negative light.
But the city claims McGraw Media failed to submit proper rough cuts for most episodes and did not honor the city's requests to remove problematic footage.
“The Producer has disavowed their obligations to allow the City its say in what material becomes part of the Project, risking immediate and irreparable harm to the City, its employees, and the public at large,” the complaint states.
According to the lawsuit, McGraw Media delivered rough cuts of only four episodes in December. The remaining 14 “episodes” were described by the city as an “unedited footage dump” that included raw, uncut interviews and segments without audio.
The city terminated the contract on Dec. 31, 2025, a day before current Mayor Zorhan Mamdani took office, citing an inability to continue fulfilling its obligations under the agreement. However, the lawsuit claims the production company has indicated it may try to sell the footage to a buyer this year or release it independently.
The city is seeking an injunction to block any dissemination of the footage, a declaration voiding any potential sale, and damages for breach of contract, as well as unauthorized use of NYPD trademarks and logos.
An attorney for McGraw Media could not immediately be identified. A spokesperson for Dr. Phil Primetime did not immediately respond to messages. City Hall and NYPD spokespeople did not immediately comment on the lawsuit.
Tagged
new york city
public safety
Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Family of teen killed by runaway Central Park horse carriage plans to sue city
Romanch Mahajan's father, Deepak, addressed a crowd at the park via phone from India on Monday and said his son "sacrificed his life for animals."
By
Liam Quigley
Published Jul 27, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYPD says officers seized 16 guns in the Bronx after 12-year-old's fatal shooting
Police say officers recovered 16 firearms, including an assault-style rifle, and made 16 gun arrests in the same precinct where a 12-year-old boy was fatally shot a day earlier.
By
Catalina Gonella
News
NYPD says officers seized 16 guns in the Bronx after 12-year-old's fatal shooting
Police say officers recovered 16 firearms, including an assault-style rifle, and made 16 gun arrests in the same precinct where a 12-year-old boy was fatally shot a day earlier.
By
Catalina Gonella
¡Oy vey, qué malo! Yo La Tengo Hanukkah show tickets snatched up by scalpers
By
Walter Wuthmann
Officials identify UES cooling towers that had living Legionella bacteria before outbreak
By
Joe Hong
Mamdani’s city-run grocery stores to offer 30% price cuts on meat, produce
By
Karen Yi
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .