If the best thing one can say about Britney Spears' March 24 guest appearance on How I Met Your Mother is that her performance did not debase or degrade the CBS show hey, we'll take it. In the role of Abby, a dizzy receptionist, Spears utilized a stronger will to live than we saw during last year's VMA debacle and a greater sense of self than she exhibits in your average TMZ video. Her line readings were generally sharp (though occasionally rushed) and her characterization was consistent. But to her credit and that of HIMYM director Pamela Fryman she also disappeared sufficiently into her supporting role. That allowed viewers to revel in the episode's real guest star: Scrubs' Sarah Chalke, whose warmth, intelligence, and skill as a physical comedian were on copious display. Spears may have delivered dialogue without falling on her face, but when Chalke fell out of her chair, Ted (Josh Radnor) fell in love and so did we. Ah, to live in a world where that sort of artistic achievement merits headlines, too.


Add your comment
The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.