I wonder what would happen if someone asked about his drug use? Would they get thrown out of the "seminar?"
2 things.
The audience would basically be split into two groups: the first group would be excited to hear that question and would be hoping for a legitimate answer. The second group would gasp and immediately shun the asker thinking he was obnoxious and trolling, or be shocked that Phil would be accused of steroid use (the 16 and under group). Needless to say the second group would slowly pressure the smaller first group into being appalled.
*Side note one year at the Classic Greg Kovacs was being hyped up by Chad Nichols about competing, I think it was around 04.
My buddy and I sat in the upper balcony during pre judging, and people had been shouting encouragement to competitors onstage. Kovacs come out and it's dead silent, his lower body looked awful, and my friend YELLS, "NICE LEGS KOVACS."
It felt like the whole lower section of the auditorium looked up to see who yelled that, as those in the upper deck moved away from us. People acted like it was the worst thing they ever encountered, it stayed silent for what seemed like an eternity, until I busted up laughing. To those sitting near us, still upset, I said something along the lines of he shouldn't have talked so much trash for all those years and step on stage looking like crap. It wasn't too long before everyone was cheering for their favorite thronged warrior and balance was looking soon restored.
It's one of my favorite memories in bodybuilding.