Dr. Phil’s rep claims bailing cheerleader out of jail was violation of show’s ethics
By Matthew B. Zeidman
Bartow, Fla. (Hollywood Today) 4/13/08 – For about a day, it appeared one of the six teens accused of videotaping themselves beating a fellow cheerleader in Polk County, Fla. had a friend in “Dr. Phil” McGraw. Members of his staff bailed the girl, 17-year-old Mercades Nichols, out of jail Friday night with the understanding she would be featured on McGraw’s talk show, but a rep for the TV guru is condemning the deal, claiming it was a violation of the program’s ethical guidelines.
Even besides the nastiness of trying for a story by getting people out of jail — it has never led to to happy ending. From Norman Mailer to Truman Capote’s famed escapades, one of which ended in a murder, media figures getting prisoners out of jail has often led to disaster.
“In this case, certain staff members went beyond our guidelines (re the bail being paid),” read an official statement released by a spokeswoman for the “Dr. Phil” show on Saturday. “These staff members have been spoken to and our policies reiterated. In addition, we have decided not to go forward with the story as our guidelines have been compromised.”
It was unclear if one of the employees disciplined was the unidentified male seen escorting Nichols and her family to their vehicle in the jailhouse parking lot after the teen’s bail was paid. At the time, the man refused to give his name to reporters and forbade the gathered media from interviewing Nichols or her kin, citing a signed exclusivity contract.
In addition to Nichols and five of her fellow cheerleaders, a 17-year-old boy and 18-year-old man who allegedly acted as lookouts outside the house where the beating took place are also being charged in the case. The girls, ranging in age from 14 to 17, were reportedly angry with comments the victim had posted online, spurring the attack.
McGraw first appeared on TV in 1998, acting as a weekly on-air consultant for Oprah Winfrey, and finally scored his own show in 2002. Though he appears professionally under the moniker “Dr. Phil,” he is not currently a licensed psychologist.
26 responses so far ↓
1 Stop hugging thugs // Apr 13, 2008 at 8:01 am
Dr Phil’s Staff obviously never seen the remorse on these kids faces in their mug shots.
Not one of them looks distraught over their action nor the consequences, couldn’t be because of lax laws and the hug-a-thug mentality can it?
You tell me Phil, you’re supposedly the doc here.
Hey Phil, the next time you feel like blaming the parent or society for these kids problems, you might want to add yourself to that mix as well.
Your staff should have given that bail money to cover the girl who was severely beaten to cover a very small fraction of her soon to never end medical bills.
Oops, what am I saying, that would have been the right thing to do.
This incident stinks of a publicity/ratings stunt that backfired heavily on a “Dr” who made it where he is today by riding the tailcoats of someone who is hopefully just as disgusted and outraged as people like me are.
2 CB // Apr 13, 2008 at 8:22 am
Dr Phil is below the gutter, and ought the be ashamed of himself for attempting to profit from this tragedy. And bailing the girl out? Unreal.
3 Thad // Apr 13, 2008 at 3:20 pm
More of the same, how can we make more money! Do you really want to help people. I will never watch your show again!
4 pad // Apr 13, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I will no longer watch the Dr. Phil show. If he has no control over his staff, how does he expect us to believe anyting he says? Not to mention the one they bailed out was the Judas of the gang!
I want no part of Dr. Phil or his shows anymore. It stinks!!
5 patty // Apr 14, 2008 at 6:59 am
He needs to be fired. The network should get rid of his show. The so called ex doctor who no longer has a practicing license needs to be thrown out along with his staff. It’s obvious none of these people have any common sense left. They’ll do anything for money.
6 King // Apr 14, 2008 at 7:51 am
Rating whores. Who is going to believe Dr Phil did not know about the bail money?
The program should be canceled from its network.
7 Robert Lewis // Apr 14, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Dr. Phil is a registered active voter in Texas and lives California. See details
http://www.webofdeception.com
8 Kris // Apr 15, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I can not believe that he didn’t even think about the victom? He wanted the girl that put this together! Why didn’t he just pay for all of them! I will never watch Dr. Phil again! You are just as bad as the stupid girls who wanted 5 min. of fame! Shame on You!
9 jennifer Rice // Apr 20, 2008 at 4:55 am
I will never watch a Dr. Phil show again. His show should be canceled. He is a pig!!! I can’t imagine how that poor girl feels knowing that some famous person has more concern for a criminal than her the victim in this horrific crime. I think about this girl day and night.It haunts me!! I have 3 girls my self and I would be sickened if this happened to them. These girls need to be made an example of and be put away. I have seen a few copycats since this. It has to stop there needs to be consequences for these actions.
10 Terri // Nov 29, 2008 at 2:57 am
“Dr.” Phil and his staff have embarrassed both NBC and Oprah by the very appearance of condoning this girl’s actions by bailing her out. Who do they think would want to hear that girl’s reasons for confining and beating Ms. Lindsay? Boo hoo…somebody said something bad about me. There is NO justification for what this little bi*** did! If she had been on the other end, her mother would have been outraged instead of making excuses for her. No wonder she thinks she can do whatever she wants. Apparently her mother doesn’t believe in discipline! He got his start because Oprah gave him a huge break…without her, no show, no lucrative book deals, etc. His show should be cancelled!!!
11 name // Jan 16, 2009 at 11:46 pm
comment3,
12 name // Jan 17, 2009 at 10:24 am
comment5,
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14 Lazaroff // Apr 29, 2009 at 3:28 am
I agree with you 99% but wonder if you have really looked at the whole picture. DOn’t mean to be critical just food for thought.
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