Buffy fans, this is rough to watch.
Former star of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Nicholas Brendon makes a jittery appearance on "Dr. Phil" today ... before leaving the interview almost immediately after it begins.
The actor has been through a string of drunken arrests recently, mostly at hotels following fan conventions around the US. He's also gone to rehab at least twice, but made a public plea to Dr. Phil McGraw on Twitter for additional help.
Today, his episode airs -- and it's tense from the start.
The actor's segment opens with him explaining what it means to suffer from Dual Diagnosis.
"Duel Diagnosis means that I'm f***ing crazy and I'm a f***ing drunk. Duel diagnosis means that you're battling depression and are an addict," he explains. "Depression is a real thing and I was ashamed of it a little bit too."
He previously opened up about his deep depression with TMZ Live, explaining that it's triggered by memories of being sexually molested as a child.
"Sleeping pills would affect my head. When I was getting arrested on the road I would drink and I would mix them with those pills and I would wake up in jail," he adds in the clip. "That combination was just for me was just very deadly. When you do those two things you just black out."
McGraw then proceeds to ask him why he's here, with Brendon explaining that he hopes to shine a light on how depression and alcoholism can be linked.
When asked again what he else he wants to talk about, Nicholas responds, "I don't know what do you want to talk about? It's your show."
"I'm not here to kind of have people laugh at my f***ing life. People aren't going to laugh at my life doc," he then says. "I'm not going to do this. You know? What do you want to talk about? It's your show."
While the clip above only hints at some of the tension on the episode, another promo shows the moment Brendon walks off stage -- after McGraw asks him if he showed up drunk to the taping.
"Unfortunately, he chose to disengage before a dialogue with Dr. Phil ever began," a rep for the show said back when they filmed the episode.
"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," the statement continued. "Dr. Phil has nothing but the highest respect for Nicholas and wishes him the best in his quest for physical/mental health and sobriety, and stands ready to assist him in any way possible."
