Dan Gross: Bolaris boo-hoos about life after 'Do shot!'

 J OHN BOLARIS was on the verge of tears on Wednesday's "Dr. Phil" show while recounting the loss of his credibility and job at Fox 29 after media coverage of the 2010 Miami episode in which he was drugged and scammed by two women.

Bolaris appeared on the CBS show with fiancee Erica Smitheman, who discussed his mental state and the heart-attack scare he had last Christmastime, after being suspended by Fox 29. He and Fox later reached an undisclosed deal in which he left the news station.

"I think you got an incredibly raw deal in the media and in your career," Dr. Phil McGraw told the meteorologist, adding that he hoped that Bolaris will work again soon in television.

Bolaris discussed how upset he was by a Philadelphia magazine online report that he had defecated in his pants while passed out after being drugged by the women, who were part of a Russian crime ring and who urged him to "Do shot." Bolaris recently testified against the ring in federal court in Miami.

Bolaris and Smitheman also said they were upset when an old topless photo of Smitheman from a Playboy special edition mistakenly appeared on Philly.com. The photo appeared in a more tasteful version in the Daily News the same day.

Despite rumors to the contrary, tickets are still available for the farewell performance of legendary rock band Renegade, Dec. 22 at Johnny Brenda's (Frankford & Girard.) Renegade features Your Humble Narrator on bass, vocalist Brian Adoff (Damage, Punk Rock Boot Camp), Richie Roxas (Pet Milk, Hail Social) on guitar, Dave Adoff (Hey Angel) on guitar, drummer Matt Maraldo (Hail Social) and Jeff Ziga (Little Baby's Ice Cream, Gods and Queens) on keyboard, and last played a patriotic, rockin' set on July 4, 2008, at Johnny Brenda's.

Sweatheart and Danzig-cover band How the Gods Chill will also perform at the 21+ show.

Tickets are $10 and available (for now) at johnnybrendas.com.

You can find a clip of Renegade performing "Kids in America" on our blog at PhillyGossip.com

Rehabbing Sixers center Andrew Bynum had drinks at the Penthouse Club (3001 Castor) Tuesday night, according to photos CrossingBroad.com posted of him and a cocktail server at the strip club from her Instagram account. While playing for the Lakers in February, we reported that Bynum had accompanied Kobe Bryant to Delilah's (100 Spring Garden) after a loss to the Sixers.

Meteorologist Brittney Shipp will join NBC10 in January. She has worked for five years at KTVK-3 in Phoenix. Her arrival led us to ask about the future of Dave Warren, who we're told has been working without a contract for several months. "Dave Warren is an employee of NBC10," is all a station spokeswoman replied when we asked if Shipp's arrival signaled his departure.

Balance Chestnut Hill (12 W. Willow Grove) is holding small group-fitness classes from 8 to 11 Saturday morning to benefit the Cradles to Crayons organization.

The boutique fitness studio, where Phillies prospect Jesse Biddle has been training, will donate all proceeds during its Winter Warm-Up to the charity, which provides clothing and supplies year-round to local children in need. Minimum donation for classes Saturday is $10. For more info, visit balancech.com. For more on Cradles to Crayons, check out cradlestocrayons.org.

* Local Clear Channel radio stations will broadcast live from Parx Casino in Bensalem this weekend while collecting toys in conjunction with the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Power 99, Radio 104.5, Q102, Mix 106.1 and 105.3 WDAS FM will encourage listeners to "Stuff a SEPTA bus" full of toys to accompany those that Parx is donating. The live broadcasts will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

You're reading our last column of 2012. Have a wonderful holiday season and we hope you'll keep reading in the new year.