娱乐英语新闻："Dr. Phil" staff post bail for jailed Florida teen

BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Staff members of the "Dr. Phil" TV show posted bail for a central Florida teenage girl jailed and facing trial for taking part in a videotaped beating of another teen, a spokesman for the show's host admitted Saturday.

    The talk show personnel helped Mercades Nichols — one of eight teens facing charges in the case — post bond this weekend, "Dr. Phil" McGraw’s spokeswoman Terri Corigliano said in an e-mail.

    McGraw drew criticism earlier this year when he confronted troubled pop star Britney Spears at the UCLA Medical Center during a stay at the facility.

    "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," Corigliano wrote. "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."

    The show's producers were in the process of booking guests for a program about the case, Corigliano wrote.

    The teens, whose ages range from 14 to 18, face kidnapping and misdemeanor battery charges. Three also face a felony charge of witness tampering. The state attorney's office says all will be tried as adults.

    They are accused of participating in a violent beating of another teenager, which was videotaped and has now been viewed widely on national television and the Internet.