Dr. Phil McGraw announced on his website that he has canceled plans to dedicate a show to Britney Spears.
"We had planned to tape a Dr. Phil Now show today, focusing not on the tabloid side of Britney's latest problems, but instead on the very serious issues surrounding this case," he wrote. "Clearly, it is not just Britney's family struggling to find a way to protect adult children who cannot be ordered or compelled to seek help."
"Because the Spears situation is too intense at this time, and out of consideration to the family, I have made the decision not to move forward with the taping at this particular time.
"Britney and her family are in our prayers, and we ask that they be in yours."
Dr. Phil said the Spears' family had asked him to visit the pop star while she was in the hospital, but he is keeping the details private.
This morning he appeared on CBS's the Early Show where he said the Spears family had hoped Britney would be kept longer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Spears left the hospital on Saturday, well under the 72 hours stated in a "5150 Hold." Doctors may okay the release of patients if they no longer need treatment or evaluation.
Dr. Phil also sent Britney a personal message on ETonline.com.
"You can make this okay," he wrote. "Your family loves you. You may not always agree with what they say, with what they do but they've loved you when you weren't lovable. Turn to the people that love you and listen. You have two children and you are the one in this world to protect them. There is no sacrifice that [your mother Lynne] won't make for you, and there is no sacrifice that your father won't make. They are the people that want nothing from you, and everything for you."
Although Dr. Phil is a long-time friend of the Spears family, he has received criticism from the media for stepping into the situation.
"They are waiting for her next meltdown. These are the people that are stalking her and they want to criticize me for trying to help her, for trying to bring help to her in cooperation with the family that loves her. Get real," he said about the media in return. "Somebody needs to step up and get this young woman in to some quality care - and I do not apologize one whit, not one second, for trying to make that happen."
