Nicholas Brendon walks off show, explains: ‘I felt Dr. Phil went for the jugular’

When Nicholas Brendon walks off a show, he apparently does it rather politely.

“I may be down, but I’m still a professional,” the actor said Wednesday evening in a Facebook post explaining his decision to exit “The Dr. Phil Show” in the middle of taping earlier in the day.

Brendon, the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Criminal Minds” actor who’s been arrested twice this year on substance-related charges, praised Phil McGraw and “all the good” the show has done “for people, famous or not,” before explaining his decision to jet midstream.

“When I was in that seat, I felt that Dr. Phil [McGraw] went for the jugular, talking about some of my recent mistakes, with no build up,” the 44-year-old said. “I felt that he wanted me to lay the darkest parts of myself on national TV right from the start, and I’m not willing to do that.”

Brendon has been hit with an abundance of challenges in the past few years, including arrests and a February split with his wife after only five months of marriage. He has said he’s been battling depression and substance-abuse issues.

In his Wednesday post, the actor apologized to fans for his behavior of late and thanked those who’d shared stories similar to what he’s been going through. He said there are points he wants to “set straight” about his recent history, but noted he currently can’t do so because of contractual obligations to McGraw’s show.

Brendon’s absence doesn’t mean there won’t be a “Dr. Phil” episode about him, however.

“Unfortunately, he chose to disengage before a dialogue with Dr. Phil ever began,” a rep for the show said in a statement obtained by Page Six. “There was no drama; he simply chose to leave and did so in a respectful manner. His family and associates remained and participated fully and productively.”

Brendon said a focus on positivity — part of his treatment and recovery — was part of what drove his decision to disengage.

“Buffy never chased ratings, and neither should I,” he wrote. “Rest assured I am in private treatment, and we are going deep so I can live a long and happy life.”

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