Dr. Drew Pinsky, star of Celebrity Rehab and Love Line, has never been afraid to give a diagnosis. Vocal in his opinions but always clinical in his delivery, Drew has charmed many with his obvious caring nature - though it’s often couched in logic.

Even when you’re a celebrated man of medicine, you have to be careful when you talk Tom Cruise. Dr. Drew recently mentioned the actor’s name. Let the media back-and-forth war begin!

This all has stemmed from an interview with Pinsky which appears in Playboy magazine. Dr. Drew made this comment: “A lot of people in the public eye who behave strangely have mental illness we can learn from, and much of it is based on childhood trauma, without a doubt.” He continued: “Take a guy like Tom Cruise. Why would somebody be drawn into a cultish kind of environment like Scientology? To me, that’s a function of a very deep emptiness, and suggests serious neglect in childhood - maybe some abuse, but mostly neglect.” The tenor of the comments reflects Drew’s usual tone.

Bert Fields, an attorney for Cruise, was quick to frame a retort. “This unqualified television performer who is obviously just looking for notoriety is so grotesquely unprofessional as to pretend to diagnose Tom and others without ever meeting them,” was the comment given to the New York Post by Fields. Anyone who has watched a single episode of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew or listened to Love Line is acquainted with Pinsky’s training and education, both of which are extensive.

The doctor’s reps have already offered a very smooth reply, saying Drew does apologize. “Although Mr. Fields’s intent is clearly to slander and discredit Dr. Drew, under no circumstances is Dr. Drew making a blanket diagnosis about Scientology nor Mr. Cruise, whom he does not know. Dr. Drew was simply using Mr. Cruise as an example of someone who is recognizable to help the public understand.” The rep finished with, “Dr. Drew meant him no harm.”