YouTube Beating Bruises Dr. Phil

TV shrink Phil McGraw is in the hot seat again after a staffer bailed out the suspected ringleader of a teen YouTube beating in exchange for an exclusive interview, the New York Daily News reports. America’s favorite unlicensed daytime doc, who dispatched a producing team to Florida last week to cobble together interviews, has since canceled his teen-attack special.

After arranging $33,300 for Mercades Nichols’ bail and collateral, TMZ.com reports, a production assistant told waiting TV cameras Dr. Phil had “exclusivity.” The clip quickly spread over the internet and called into question the show’s interview tactics. McGraw canceled a Britney Spears special in January after he was criticized for approaching the hospitalized star and then talking about their interaction. (More Dr Phil stories.)