Dina Lohan sat down with Dr. Phil McGraw in September for an interview full of eye-raising moments from the showbiz mom -- including tears, flipping the bird and making multiple condescending remarks toward the talk show host.
Dr. Phil stopped by Access Hollywood Live on Thursday, where he revealed that he attempted to give Dina a way out during the now-infamous sit-down.
PLAY IT NOW: Dr. Phil: I Tried To Stop Dina Lohan’s Disastrous Interview
"In the middle of that interview, I stopped that interview and took a break... and said, 'Guys, you know, come on. Let's just not do this,'" he told Billy Bush and Kit Hoover of his experience with Lindsay Lohan's mom. "[Dina's handlers] said, 'No, no, no! She's good -- we've talked to her. She's good." [I said], 'OK.'"
After insisting on continuing the downward-spiraling interview, Dr. Phil said Dina realized that was not a good move on her part.
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"I think afterward [Dina's] thinking was, 'Well, I didn't put my best foot forward.' I expect that's right," he said. "But what are you going to do at that point? The ship has sailed. And I do think that it was a pretty legitimate window into [Lohan family life]. I think that's the case."
The talk show host -- whose new book, "Life Code" is available now - also weighed in on Lindsay Lohan's most recent arrest (she was arrested early Thursday morning after police said she hit a woman at a New York City nightclub), saying he still holds out hope for the seemingly troubled "Liz & Dick" star.
"I mean, come on. You're in a target-rich environment for trouble if you're out at 4 AM in a club when people get drunk. Bad things are going to happen," he said, when asked about Lindsay's Thursday arrest. "And listen - I am actually a Lindsay Lohan fan. I think she's very talented, she's been on my show before, she was a delightful young woman when she was there. She showed up on time, she did everything she was asked to do, she was nice to the staff, she was terrific to work with.
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"I think she's got a lot going for her, but is making bad decisions," he added.
"Life Code: The New Rules for Winning in the Real World" is available on TheBookNook.com.
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-- Erin O'Sullivan
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