ABC/Donna SvennevikThe revolving door of celebrity rehabbers has turned once more. In went Aaron Carter, and out popped Mr. Golden Voice himself, Ted Williams.
The former homeless man turned overnight sensation entered the facility after being put through the media wringer earlier this month. Then yesterday, after less than two weeks in treatment (which incidentally comprises two-thirds of his total time in the public eye), he left.
And no, despite the country looking for a happy ending to this story, not because he was suddenly and miraculously cured.
Instead, the 53-year-old Williams checked himself out of the south Texas rehab facility just 12 days after voluntarily entering it.
Well, he voluntarily entered it after a high-profile, police-involving bustup with his formerly estranged daughter and after being pressured to do so on national television by none other than Dr. Phil.
"He did leave, so we can bring him here to L.A. to an outpatient program," Williams' manager Alfred Battle told E! News. "We're in L.A. now.
"We didn't like the whole idea of filming [with a television crew] inside a rehab facility. We were all pretty upset about that. I mean, where's the anonymity?"
As for Dr. Phil, he—surprise!—had something to say about Williams' decision to quit at the start of his recovery.
"Ted was given the chance to voluntarily enter a drug rehabilitation facility in order to help him in dealing with his dependency on drugs and alcohol," McGraw said. "In that it is voluntary, the decision to remain in treatment is Ted's to make.
"We certainly hope that he continues his commitment to sobriety, and we will continue to help and support him in any way that we can. We wish him well."
At least until The Dr. Phil Show needs another booking. How many days until sweeps?