BUTLER, Pa. Mehmet Oz was late for his show. The TV personality, doctor, politician whatever you want to call him now was running about 10 minutes behind schedule to his meet and greet in rural western Pennsylvania, an event that promised at least a photo with Oz and, for a lucky few, your very own blood pressure reading.

Once Oz arrived at this restaurant-laser tag arcade deep in Trump country, he spent another 10 minutes preparing for his appearance. He stayed hidden but close to the audience, behind a black curtain that featured a banner with his campaign slogan in bubbly cursive: A Dose of Reality.

Fifty or so people were seated quietly while Oz was backstage, where he greeted a baby and shook its foot. He posed for photos, huddled with his team, recorded something on camera and went over notes. And then he was ready.

Dressed in a crisp navy suit, Oz walked out from behind the curtain like he was about to tape an episode of The Dr. Oz Show, the daytime health and wellness TV program he hosted for more than a decade before ending it to run for office.

This is still the Dr. Oz show, of course, but not the one most people are used to seeing. For anyone who doesnt know Oz as the Republican who wants to represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate (and thats pretty much the general public at this point), the change can be jarring at first then comfortable, like a rerun of a syndicated show youve seen a million times.

How many of you think Washington got it wrong? Oz said immediately upon taking the mic. Did they get it wrong on gas prices? Are we suffering from inflation? People not working and getting paid not to? Did Washington get it wrong on the border? Did Washington mess up our schools, teaching kids values we dont agree with? Well, heres the truth. Im an outsider, and Ive taken on Washington, Fauci, the media for you. Are you ready for a dose of reality?

In his two decades as a celebrity, Oz has made numerous pitches to the American public. Hes hawked health advice, alternative medicine, supplements, books, miracle cures , weight loss fixes a promise of a more vital, more youthful YOU (the theme of Ozs literary collection ). This, today, was Ozs pitch for office.