Scandal-Free Britney Spears on How I Met Your Mother

-- thelinster from AfterEllen.com

AfterEllen.com tends to shy away from writing about women who get more publicity from their real-life escapades than their talent. But I have to admit, I have kind of a soft spot for Britney Spears. Probably because I still remember her like this.

As Dorothy Snarker reported last week, Spears is guest starring on How I Met Your Mother Monday evening. Cast regulars Alyson Hannigan (Lily) and Jason Segal (Marshall) praised her comic timing, and Cobie Smulders (Robin) called Spears a "true professional." Wait — I almost missed a chance to post a new picture of Alyson.

Britney plays Abby, the nerdy receptionist for Ted's dermatologist (played by Sarah Chalke). CBS released some clips over the weekend, and Britney actually does a pretty good job with the role.

Abby is smitten with Ted and gradually transforms herself from mousy to sexy to get Ted's attention.

At Ted's next appointment, Abby is reading the book that Ted was reading in the previous scene. 

The CBS promotional clip gives us a preview of Abby's interactions with Barney (Neil Patrick Harris). To me, Spears seems to be poking fun at herself — a good sign, IMO.

OK, we're not talking Emmy Award here, but you have to admit that Britney is likeable in this role, and she looks, well, kinda hot. I know putting her in a role like Abby is a publicity move to help clean up her image. But the truth is, it works. I like this Britney — and hope she sticks around.

Comments

[Mike]

I liked her in the role, too, and hope to see her do more of the semi-sexy intelligent woman. If success can breed success, perhaps we can see her on some other prime time shows contributing to the plot and not being the butt of somebody's joke or a disfunctional Hollywood type.