Dr. Phil Defends Britney Ambush

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

07 Jan 2008 07:57 AM

Two days after being accused of ambushing Britney Spears as she prepared to leave her involuntary lockdown at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Phil McGraw hightailed it over to CBS's "The Early Show" this morning to defend his actions.

His interview just aired and frankly I was unimpressed. Despite his argument that the only reason he went to see the troubled pop star was because her parents begged him to, I still maintain the TV shrink smelled fresh meat and went in for the... TV intervention.

For those of you who don't keep tabs on the good doc, McGraw announced Saturday that he planned to devote the taping of his syndicated talk show today to the trainwreck that is Britney Spears. According to show producers the episode, which is scheduled to air tomorrow, will also include interviews with Brit's divorced parents.

Dr. Phil spent his time on CBS's show trying to "set the record straight" on what others in the medical field are calling an unethical ambush on the 26-year-old pop princess.

"I went to see Britney at the request of her family, I talked to [her mother] Lynn, I talked to [her father] Jamie, I talked to Bryan, her brother," McGraw maintained. "They were very frustrated that she apparently wasn't going to be held for a longer period of time."

Which may be true, but the underlying tone of the interview appeared to me like a commercial for his upcoming show.

As for how Dr. Phil got entangled in the Spears family's twisted web to begin with McGraw told CBS he was first contacted by the clan a year ago and has maintained a relationship with them ever since. In regards to his involvement in Britney's latest meltdown Dr. Phil said, "Thursday night, the phone rang, and it was Lynn - and she has a very close relationship with my wife, Robin - and, clearly, she was very upset, which you would expect, as any parent would be."

Meanwhile, various psychiatrists located throughout the country who have been watching Britney's life spin out on control are going public with their take on Dr. Phil's involvement. Mental health experts from coast-to-coast have been appearing on cable news programs saying how shocked they were that Cedars Sinai Medical Center let Dr. Phil enter Spears' room without her prior knowledge or consent.

Most concur the hospital should not have allowed the TV shrink (or anyone who didn't have in-patient privileges) into the derailed singer's room. One expert called Dr. Phil's invasion of Brit's space "intrusive and inappropriate." While still others maintained that Cedars-Sinai violated Spears' rights by allowing the outspoken talk show host to ambush her.

What do you think? Should Dr. Phil stick with helping his usual set of guests ranging from disgruntled neighbors to warring in-laws and leave Britney alone?

Related Articles:

Dr. Phil Smells Fresh Meat and Her Name is Britney Spears

Britney Spears Released From Hospital---Medical Staff Rejoices

Britney Loses Kids Again---But for How Long?

Britney Update: Locked Up then Locked Down

Britney Spears Flips Out Causes Pandemonium in L.A.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Libby Pelham (12871) 07 Jan 2008 09:02 AM

"I went to see Britney at the request of her family" - that was my first thought - that this crazy, publicity seeking family asked him to come in to check on Britney. After all, if they invited some no name psychiatrist, it might not make the headlines. But then again, maybe I am just too jaded.

allison (11076) 07 Jan 2008 11:23 AM

i get an icky feeling about Dr. Phil being involved and coming into her room while she was under a PEC (physicians emergency certiicate)(or what ever it is called in california). being in the hospital, she already has doctors working with her. whether the family requested him or not, spears is an adult. it seems like the security department and hospital administration holds some blame here. her story is heartbreaking. i have never been a fan (just not into that kind of music), but i feel kinda bad for her.

Michele Cheplic (37339) 08 Jan 2008 03:53 AM

Dr. Phil is now saying that he doesn't regret any of his actions despite criticism from others in the mental health community b/c he says he is the ONLY one trying to help Britney... he wasn't too successful by my account. Thanks for the comments!