Britney Gets Big Laughs On Sitcom Guest Spot

NEW YORK — Britney the Trainwreck showed how she can still be Britney the Performer.

Britney Spears made her much-hyped guest appearance Monday night's "How I Met Your Mother," submersing her tumultuous personal life and portraying a sweet-natured receptionist, Abby, with a crush on unlucky-in-love Ted (Josh Radnor).

Problem is: Ted only has eyes for Abby's boss Stella (Sarah Chalke), a dermatologist. Ted's goal: to win a date by his 10th session with Stella. Nothing's working.

Finally, he figures: "The receptionist _ that's my way in."

So he brings Abby coffee in a bid to impress Stella, but it charms Abby even more. During one visit, Abby trails him and Stella into an office to deliver a book _ a self-help tome called "The Power of Me" _ that he left behind in the waiting room.

The 26-year-old pop star, who previously was on a 2006 episode of "Will and Grace," appeared fresh-faced and relaxed, capably filling the small role. She was also the host and musical guest on "Saturday Night Live" in 2000.

Of course, she's made news in recent months not for being Britney the Performer but for her split with ex-husband Kevin Federline in late 2006, their subseqent custody battle, Spears' bizarre behavior and two hospitalizations.

Spears' cameo on the CBS sitcom may mark the beginnings of a more successful comeback attempt than last September's MTV Video Music Awards.

She remains under the conservatorship of her father, James.

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On the Net:

/ http://www.cbs.com/primetime/how_i_met_your_mother

Comments

[JaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin]

I'm glad she didn't have a meltdown (or maybe she did and those outtakes will be on youtube soon), but this praise she's getting is ridiculous. It's not particularly hard to do a sitcom part.

The way some in the MSM are talking you'd think she was up for an Emmy nomination.

[Lucille]

Ah, I'm so happy for Brit. She did good.

[ProfessorVP]

Who ever works the electronic console that provides laughter, applause, and "oooooohs"
at CBS must certainly have carpal tunnel. Well, actually, same thing at Fox.

[KellyGrace]

Big laughs from whom? Love the show. Hated her two minutes of screen time. "HIMYM" is better than this. Bring back Wayne Brady.

[JennyG3]

I usually don't watch CBS, cuz I'm only 22, and the network seriously lacks competitive shows , but of course I had to watch Brit's "comeback" and she was great! I won't ever watch that show again, but Brit and Sarah Chalke, were funny, interesting, and engaging. Kudos to the casting director...

[LeftVetPatriot]

Attagrrrl. Now go back to being crazy.

[sparkey]

I think it would have been better if she had kept being the ditzy receptionist. She probably would have been on the show a lot longer. Going from ditzy to glam means you're off the show earlier. She should have taken it slow. She would have gotten more air time. People would have tuned in to see her slowly change.

[EdwardEdwards]

4000 soldiers dead. Countless iraqis. Shiny keys, people, shiny keys...

[NYCforObama]

Well done, Brit.

All you needed was a four foot tall barrier between you and the other performers.

I'm delighted that the moat was cut out of the script....

[JCali]

I was skeptical when I tuned in, but I though Britney's performance was very good. Here character on the show was fun and funny. She did well.

[scottyboi84]

i am glad to see some positive words about Britney. I think that the media is way too harsh on her. I am 24, so she is only a couple of years older than me, and to see what she's done with her life thus far, I would say is pretty remarkable, no to mention that she makes mistakes everyone else makes, but hers are constantly captured by how many cameras? Give the girl a break, she deserves it...

[ShigityShank]

I dont know which episode Erin Carlson was watching, but Britney Spears was awful. I've seen dinner theatre that was better than that. And did anyone notice how she always had the crazy eyes?

[NoSillyName]

Maybe Ms. Brit has found her niche!

[grisgris]

Maybe, just maybe, she can slowly put her life back together. She's what, 26 years old? There's still plenty of time.

[NewRiver]

Good for you Brit! Perhaps a well written TV series is what you need...some structure in your life.