Yep – she’s a mess. Yep – she needs help. But from Dr. Phil?

According to Us Weekly, Dr. Phil visited Britney in the hospital today.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images; Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

“My meeting with Britney and some 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,” he said in a statement to Entertainment Tonight and The Insider. “I am very concerned for her.”

Yes, Dr. Phil, I’m sure you are. And that is why the article goes on to say “Dr. Phil will share more details from his chat with the “Gimme More” singer on his daytime show next week.”

He’s a bottom feeder in the guise of a therapist. I’m sure Britney’s had that kind of “help” before, someone who wants to sponge off of her fame, now despair.

So what does all this have to do with Robert Altman?

In his great film, Nashville, the last scene is of a singer being assassinated by a troubled loner. As she’s carted off stage, the microphone is thrust into a young wannabe country singer as she gets up, sings her heart out, and has probably launched her career. On the body of the one just hauled off.

This is what reminds me of Dr. Phil and Britney. He’s not launching a career (Oprah did that for him), but he’s stepping on the dead and hurt bodies of the troubled to gather more fame. The same tawdry view of the universe Altman depicted in his wonderful film.