UPDATE:  Dr. Phil has now decided against doing a show based on Britney.  You can read his statement here.

Despite being placed on what was believed to be a 72-hour hold, Britney Spears was quietly discharged from Cedars-Sinai this morning.  Although it is widely believed the troubled star should be forced to seek some type of help, the hospital had no choice but to release her.  They couldn’t keep Spears against her will unless they thought she might physically harm herself.  (She was not technically considered ‘suicidal’ when she was admitted to begin with.)

But fans concerned for her well-being shouldn’t worry—Dr. Phil McGraw has taken it upon himself to make sure Britney knows people care.  The talk show host had a private conversation with the Spears this morning as she was being discharged from the hospital.  Here is the exclusive statement he made to Entertainment Tonight:

“My meeting with Britney and some of her family members this morning in her room at Cedars leaves me convinced more than ever that she is in dire need of both medical and psychological intervention. She was released moments before my arrival and was packing when I entered the room. We visited for about an hour before I walked with her to her car. I am very concerned for her.”

So what do you think?  Did he really want to help her…or were his motives completely selfish?  (Granted, there is no such thing as a selfless deed.)  Who knows?  According to TMZ, McGraw is already cranking out a special that will exploit the recent madness.  (It is scheduled to air on Wednesday.)  Could he have been approaching Spears to appear on his show next week?  Even if his motives were genuine, does he honestly believe an episode - put out this soon - could really help her?  Does he really believe she’ll want to see her life dissected on TV?

(You find updates to this story here.)