A producer for Dr. Phil posted the $33,000 bail for Mercades Nichols tonight. Mercades was the alleged "ringleader" for the 8 teens who were involved in beating another teenage girl until she could not see or hear in one ear. The teens taped it, and it was brutal. Click here to see it. Out of all the scum bags the producer picked the worst one, and set her free. On the way out he claimed Dr. Phil’s show had exclusive rights to the Mercades’ story. She may have a problem telling her story however, since a judge has a strict gag order in place which won’t even allow the Sheriff to talk to the media. Dr. Phil already issued his damage control statement:

"We have helped guests and potential guests in the past when they need financial assistance to come on the show - assisting with clothing allowance, lost wages, accommodations, travel and necessities. In this case, certain staff members went beyond our guidelines (re: the bail being paid). 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."

Uh huh, sure Dr. Phil. This was all a mistake, just like when he talked to Britney at the request of her mother. If anyone deserved to remain behind bars it was Mercades.

The most disgusting part of the video above is the female reporter putting her hands on the mother, and demanding they talk to her, as well as arguing with the Dr. Phil producer over exclusivity rights as they are walking along the street. Desperation is in the air.

Dr. Phil was on The Today show talking to Matt Lauer and Diane Sawyer about, who else?, Britney Spears. Dr. Phil said he hasn’t said one word about "Britney Spears" since he issued that public statement, he then went on to talk more about Britney, on Today, GMA, and who knows where else. Loose lips sink ships. Has talking about it, or not talking about, made Dr. Phil feel better yet?

Dr. Phil went on the air to emphasize several times that he is not sorry for trying to help Britney Spears, and points out the fact he was one of the few who tried to do something to help her. Is he being sincere?

Dr. Phil works in a profession with a lot of people who are jealous of his success, and now those people are going to try to take big Phil down. TMZ reports:

TMZ has obtained a copy of a complaint against Dr. Phil which was lodged with the California Board of Psychology, alleging the TV doc was illegally practicing without a license when he paid a visit to one Britney Spears.

We’ve learned the person who filed the complaint is a psychologist. Dr. Phil has never been licensed to practice in California, and he retired his Texas license in 2006.

The shrink believes when Dr. Phil visited Brit in the hospital earlier this month, he was practicing psychology. A "Dr. Phil" honcho told TMZ the visit was never meant to lure Britney onto the TV show — and that there were never plans to put her on the air.

A Psychology Board rep told TMZ if the Board finds the complaint credible, it would be referred to the D.A. for review. Practicing without a license is a felony in California.

The psychologist who filed the complaint also alleges Dr. Phil violated HIPAA laws by "discussing or divulging a patient’s medical condition … with the media," in reference to a press release issued by Dr. Phil.

The complaint also says, "A petition is being circulated to remove the "Dr. Phil" show from the air." We’re told the shrink is trying to get other psychologists to sign.

As for the Dr. Phil show’s response — no immediate comment.

Dr. Phil is a former lawyer too. He would know if he had violated the law. I’m not even sure what Dr. Phil did, or does, even requires any kind of license. On his show he counsels, but it’s more of his opinion than anything else. This should be interesting to watch, but Dr. Phil knows what he is doing. As for the other guy who reported Dr. Phil, well he needs some help with his depression over a lagging career. Maybe Dr. Phil can help.

Lou Taylor, spokesperson for the entire Spears family except for Britney Spears, appeared on The Today Show this morning and chatted with Meredith Viera about the inappropriate behavior Dr. Phil McGraw exhibited following his visit to see Britney Spears last week. "He was invited [by Jamie and Lynn Spears to come and see Britney]," Taylor said, "but he was not invited to make this part of public display," she remarked about the press release Dr. Phil issued following his visit.

When Meredith asked if Taylor believed that Jamie and Lynn hurt their already fragile relationship with their eldest daughter by asking Phil to come, she replied, "I think it’s been compromised, because it’s a measure of trust," regarding Britney’s fear that everyone she knows is out to exploit her. "They were taken advantage of, they are people who love their daughter and need support."

It’s amazing that the Spears family would attack the one person, Dr. Phil, who at least tried to help when no one else, not even the mental health unit at the hospital, nor Britney’s family, would, or even has yet. The Spears family attitude is the reason Britney is not receiving help. "Leave her alone" isn’t going to help Britney. If she dies, the family stands to benefit.