Dr. Phil Regrets His Britney Statement

By Bill Keveney,

USA Today

Posted: 2008-01-18 10:15:47

Filed Under: Britney Spears, Star Scandals, Music News, TV News

(Jan. 18) -- Phil McGraw says his recent visit to Britney Spears in the hospital was appropriate. His only regret: issuing a statement about it.

"Was it helpful to the situation? Regrettably, no. It was not, and I have to acknowledge that and I do," the talk show host told his audience Thursday during taping of a Dr. Phil episode that will run Monday.

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An apologetic Dr. Phil McGraw questions whether his actions were approrpriate when he issued a public statement about Britney Spears following her hospitalization. "Was it helpful to the situation? Regrettably, no," McGraw said during a show taping.

"I definitely think if I had it to do over again, I probably wouldn't make any statement at all. Period."

Later, in an exclusive interview with USA TODAY, McGraw discussed events that have made him the focus of intense criticism: the Jan. 5 hospital visit, his statement about it to Entertainment Tonight and a planned then canceled episode that was to have focused on Spears' situation.

At the request of Spears' parents, McGraw says, he visited the pop star as "a friend and ally of the family," not as a psychologist. He stopped practicing years ago and is not licensed in California.

He hoped for a "gentle and relaxed dialogue that might be of value" in helping Britney find medical professionals should she seek help.

He would not discuss details of the conversation or respond to some reports that the 26-year-old singer did not take well to the visit.

McGraw says he issued the statement to ET because he knew the media would see him and he wanted to explain why he was there.

He disputes those who say he inappropriately discussed her condition in the statement, which referred to Spears being "in dire need of both medical and psychological intervention."

"I said that before I ever met her," he says.

Test Your News IQ

What's the real Dr. Phil advice?

Don't be afraid to show your wild side to your children so they feel you aren't depressed.
Agree with your ex that you absolutely won't disparage each other to your children.
Remember that your ex is no longer your partner and face challenges alone.

What's the real Dr. Phil advice?

Agree on behavioral guidelines for raising your children so that there's consistency in their lives.
Concentrate on your work as well as your children. They need to see you are a professional.
Shield your children from intruders who could cramp their style.

What's the real Dr. Phil advice?

Take time for yourself to pursue new relationships.
Never speak directly to your ex if you are having conflict.
Commit to conducting yourself with emotional integrity.

What's the real Dr. Phil advice?

Don't becoming so emotionally needy that your child develops feelings of guilt if he or she spends time or even wants to spend time with your ex.
Don't be afraid to tell your children about the pressures of motherhood.
Set an example as an independent woman and your children will be less needy.

What's the real Dr. Phil advice?

Let loose every once in a while. Show children that it's alright to celebrate life. Just do it responsibly.
In the interest of your children's peace and security, it's up to you to act maturely and without selfishness.
Turn events like dinner time and car rides into mini-adventures

The canceled episode, a follow-up to an October show that focused on the singer's difficulties, was being planned in December and wasn't concocted after she was hospitalized, McGraw says.

Spears' mother, Lynne, called to thank him for his sensitivity after the first episode, McGraw says. Lynne was to have appeared on the second one, examining parents with troubled adult children, he says. Britney was not scheduled as a guest nor was there any plan for an intervention.

Feed

A Spears' family representative told NBC's Today that Lynne Spears never intended to appear on Dr. Phil. (The family did not respond to USA TODAY's interview requests.)

McGraw decided to cancel the taping after controversy over the hospital visit erupted. "There was so much noise. -- I decided this isn't the time to do it," he says.

Asked if he would make the same visit again, at the request of concerned parents, McGraw says, "How do you not?" More: With Comments, Dr. Phil Throws Himself Under Microscppe

2008-01-18 07:50:07

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PDzMOM 11:44:52 AM Jan 21 2008

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While I am not qualified to speak about Dr. Phi's credentials, I am quite qualified to speak about the untruths the media will print to get attention. They will print anything, anyhow, anyway, to get the "better" column, and nobody jknows better than I do. Anyone in this day and age that believes the words of the media are all truthful is living with their heads in a cloud. And every time we make these comments like what I am reading here, it is just giving them more of what they want. Cut it out, America. We are only making money for others while making someone out there a "hit" , being very hurtful in the process.

bhemhmbc 10:52:07 AM Jan 21 2008

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Who is orchestrating this Britney debacle? How important is her
life? The media is either stupid, being paid, lazy, or as kooky
as she is. Aren't there enough interesting events/people
in the world? Britney either needs to be involuntarily committed
to an institution or be hailed as the best media-user in the world.
If she craves attention that much, you have an addict and the
media is no better than a crack dealer...feeding her addiction.

xtinnman 09:57:18 AM Jan 21 2008

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"DR" phil has no credentials,other than honorary degrees. he IS a joke. i feel sorry for the morons taken in by this media creation of oprahs.its all about ratings which equal CASH .

mcccmar45 08:32:34 AM Jan 21 2008

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this man violated Hippa Law - six ways from Sunday - as a professional he should have known much better - it seems he is a star seeker - without regard to consequences-

beverlyladrini 06:56:11 AM Jan 21 2008

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Finally Dr. Phil gets a taste of his own medicine!!!

Gsmilecg 02:20:42 AM Jan 21 2008

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He is a wanabe celeb. who will do anything for a photo op.
-----------------
I am Lynn, a sexy bbw with big boobs. I am looking for a hot and nasty relationship. Ok, before of this, you may wanna check my photos on that popular largesingle.com. I am hotgirlL here.

lwhiteman003 01:24:00 AM Jan 21 2008

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dr phil shouldnt waste his time on loser britney and her loser family

lwhiteman003 01:23:00 AM Jan 21 2008

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dr phil shouldnt waste his time onthat loser britney and her whole inbreeding family of leechees

aprildp1975 11:54:31 PM Jan 20 2008

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just shows how much more class dr. phil really has...i am a big fan :)

CorradoTc132 11:52:00 PM Jan 20 2008

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I wonder if dr phil knows that the associated press has already written brit's obiturary so it will be ready to go?i wonder if lynne spears knows that the AP considers her child's death a foregone conclusion? what will it take to get this girl out of hollywood and somewhere she can be rescued from herself?

jasal717 11:23:54 PM Jan 20 2008

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Does the term "snake oil salesman" come to mind when you see Dr Phil??

cricketsng 03:40:00 PM Jan 20 2008

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Reply to sjeanine89 08:50:04 PM Jan 19 2008

Report This! BEING A PROFESSIONAL; THERAPIST MYSELF I HAVE FOUND DR. PHIL HAS FALLEN INTO TH E FAME TRAP. HIS RECENT SHOWS ARE TOO SENSATIONAL FOCUSED AND I NOW REALLAY QUESTION HIS CREDENITIALS. WHAT HE DID AS A RESULT OF HIS VISIT TO BRITNEY IS CAUSE FOR HIS LICENSE TO BE REVOKED. THAT IS IF HE HAS ONE IN CALIFORNIA. SHAME ON DR. PHIL. THIS HAS MADE PEDOPLE QUESTION THERAPY AT ALL I AM SURE.
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I THINK YOU'RE JUST ENVIOUS OF DR. PHIL. EVERYONE KNOWS BRIT IS CRAZIER THAN A LOONY BIRD ANYWAY. PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS QUESTIONED THERAPISTS AS THEY THEMSELVES HAVE TO GO FOR THERAPY BEFORE BECOMING LICENSED. ANY THERAPIST WHO COMMENTS ONLINE ABOUT ANOTHER HAS A PROBLEM HIMSELF.

yesreebob 02:11:39 PM Jan 20 2008

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PHIL IS A SELF SERVING ASS HOLE

LYNNB8794 01:37:09 PM Jan 20 2008

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TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW BRIT JUST TO SEE HER AT HER WORST, DO YOU AT ALL FEEL ANY GUILT OR BLAME FOR HER CURRENT SITUATION? IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO THE PERSON IS, WHEN A PERSON IS DOWN THE LAST THING YOU DO IS KICK THEM. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO GIVE THEM A HAND UP. NOT FOR FAME, OR A PAT ON THE BACK, JUST BECAUSE IT'S THE "RIGHT THING TO DO". PUT YOURSELF IN HER SHOES, WOULD YOU WANT TO BE HOUNDED BY PEOPLE LIKE YOU? THOUGHT SO. GIVE HER A BREAK, BACK OFF AND LET HER GET HER LIFE STRAIGHTEN OUT BY WHATEVER MEANS THAT MAY BE. THEN SHE CAN GET BACK TO HER LIFE AS A PRODUCTIVE PERSON THAT YOU CAN REPORT ON. THIS WHOLE THING IS JUST WRONG. DR. PHIL DOESN'T PLAY INTO THIS ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, JUST ANOTHER CASUALITY OF THE PRESS.

lindajett1 01:06:00 PM Jan 20 2008

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I agree with JWalton. The "doctor" came into show business quacking, gives no idication anything will change. I wouldn't let him treat my parakeet. Besides, my parakeed wouldn't fall for it. He's smarter than this person who obviously preys on the miseries of others, yet has the audacity to call himself a real doctor. What saddens me is that people buy into it.

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