‘Dr. Phil’ regrets talking about Spears

New York – Television’s “Dr. Phil” McGraw says he regrets talking about Britney Spears’ mental health after visiting her in the hospital, but didn’t violate the family’s trust.

“I regret making the statement. It didn’t help. It didn’t work,” the syndicated TV psychologist said Wednesday on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Spears, 26, was hospitalized in Los Angeles after a child custody dispute with ex-husband Kevin Federline resulted in an hours-long standoff with police Jan. 3. Federline has sole physical and legal custody of their two sons, Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1.

McGraw said he visited the pop singer as a family friend, and rejected critics who accused him of practicing psychology without a license. McGraw said he retired his Texas license after 25 years of private practice because of the demands of his “Dr. Phil” daytime talk show.

The Spears family has accused McGraw of betraying their trust by making an “inappropriate” public statement about the singer’s hospitalization. McGraw had told celebrity news TV shows that Spears was in “dire” need of medical and psychological help.

In an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show Wednesday, McGraw said his public comments after visiting Spears were intended to prevent rumors and misinformation.

“I wanted to stop speculation about what may have gone on in there,” he said.

Hawaii senator to marry at 83

Honolulu – Sen. Daniel Inouye, the 83-year-old who ranks No. 3 in seniority in the chamber, is getting married.

The Hawaii Democrat said Tuesday that he is engaged to Irene Hirano, the president and chief executive officer of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. They plan to marry May 24 in Los Angeles, Inouye said in a news release.

“Irene is an extraordinary woman of grace, intelligence and accomplishment,” Inouye said. “She is a rare gem in our society. Without question, I am a very fortunate and lucky man.”

The release from Inouye’s office did not give Hirano’s age but some Web sites have put it at 59.

Margaret Awamura Inouye, Inouye’s wife of nearly 60 years, died in March 2006 of complications from colon cancer at age 81.

Inouye won his first race for Senate in 1962.

‘Hannah Montana’ changes her name

Los Angeles – From here on out, Miley Cyrus will be known by a new name – and it’s not Hannah Montana.

The 15-year-old pop singer-actress has officially changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus.

It doesn’t seem like a big change until you learn that she was actually born with the moniker Destiny Hope Cyrus. The Miley came from a childhood nickname from dad, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, who noticed that his little girl was very “smiley.” Where the “S” went is anyone’s guess, but everyone quickly latched onto the name.

The “Ray” was adopted to honor her father.

Baer’s girlfriend’s death ruled suicide

Carson City, Nev. – The live-in girlfriend of former “Beverly Hillbillies” star Max Baer Jr. apparently shot herself and died several days later, authorities said Wednesday.

Police were still investigating the death of 30-year-old Chere Rhodes, but no foul play is suspected, Douglas County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jim Halsey said.

Baer, 70, an entrepreneur who played “Jethro” in the 1960s “Hillbillies” series, summoned authorities to his Lake Tahoe home last Thursday after he found Rhodes with a single gunshot wound to the chest, Halsey said.

“She was conscious on the scene and told (officers) that it was a self-attempted suicide,” Halsey said. “There was a suicide note as well which substantiated her statement.”

He said the note cited “relationship problems.”

She was flown by helicopter to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno and placed on life support. Her family took her off life support Sunday, Halsey said.

Baer, son of Max Baer, the heavyweight champion of the 1930s, has lived at Lake Tahoe for years. He’s currently trying to build a hotel-casino in northern Douglas County that would include a signature oil derrick evoking the “Hillbillies” sitcom theme of dimwitted Jethro Bodine, played by Baer, and other members of his family striking oil.

Gwen Stefani expecting second child

People magazine has confirmed that rocker Gwen Stefani and her husband, Gavin Rossdale, are expecting their second baby.

Stefani, 38, and Rossdale, 40, who married in September 2002, have a son, Kingston, who turns 2 on May 26.

Jackson plans to revisit ‘Thriller’

London – Looks like long-deposed King of Pop Michael Jackson is poised to make his comeback move.

London’s Mirror newspaper reports that Jackson is set to release a 25th-anniversary rerecording of “Thriller” that, he has promised, will feature “a lot of surprise (musical) guests.” No actual names have been released yet.

Meanwhile, the New York Post says Jackson might make a surprise Super Bowl appearance on Sunday – but not at the stadium. He will reportedly be featured in television ads plugging the new “Thriller” CD.