Chalk one up for Britney Spears - and her fellow guest star

March 25, 2008|Matthew Gilbert, Globe Staff

No, Britney Spears did not become an overnight comedy sensation last night during her guest spot on "How I Met Your Mother." Viewers were nor left crying out, "Gimme More." But then Our Lady of Perpetual Melodrama won't be an object of ridicule today, either, as she was after her schleppy MTV Awards performance last fall. She was O - wait for it - K.

Phew. The last thing this underrated CBS series needs is to become part of the endless Britney Goes Down the Tubes narrative. You know, it used to be the clever sitcom "How I Met Your Mother," but now it's just that show where Brit wrecked what was left of her train while we watched, agog. Spears evoked only good will last night, and also remnant feelings that maybe she will indeed come back from the far reaches of Never-Never-Land.

She was as sweet and vapid as she needed to be in the episode, playing a ditzy receptionist named Abby in a dermatologist's office. She delivered her punch lines like she sings and dances - just passably. The plot: Ted had a crush on her boss, Stella, played by Sarah Chalke of "Scrubs," while Abby had a crush on Ted. Spears seemed to be following the footsteps of Madonna, who has also tried to finesse her way through comedy by playing the dumb blonde. Truth be told, Spears really didn't need to reach very far.

Spears' best moment came early on, when Stella first begins to remove Ted's butterfly tattoo - his "tramp stamp," which has been mentioned in earlier episodes. Ted screams, upon which Spears' Abby rushes into the office exclaiming, "Doctor, are you all right? I heard a woman screaming in here." How many times did Spears shoot the scene? Who knows, but she got it right.

The best thing about the Britney spot - aside from all the much-needed publicity for a show that CBS still has not renewed - was the way it highlighted the talents of Chalke. Next to Spears, Chalke showed just how good a comic actress she is. She fit into the ensemble perfectly - something that doesn't come easily for actors better known for other series. Her timing was swift, and her chemistry with Josh Radnor was pleasing. If she is the mother of the title - and I don't think she is - that wouldn't be a bad thing. Their two-minute date was the kind of romantic resolution that "How I Met Your Mother" arrives at without inducing nausea.