Britney Spears was one of many celebrity guests to appear on How I Met Your Mother during its nine-season run.
Surrounded by the likes of Lucy Hale, Kyle MacLachlan, Bryan Cranston, Katie Holmes, Nicole Scherzinger, and Katy Perry, Spears made a couple of cameo appearances in 2008 as her character attempted to become the love interest of Josh Radnor’s character, Ted Mosby.
In her first episode, called "Ten Sessions," Ted visited his dermatologist, played by Scrubs actress Sarah Chalke, in hopes of getting his butterfly tattoo removed.
Britney Spears’ Character Was Determined To Get Josh Radnor’s Character’s Attention
While Ted hoped to hit it off with his doctor, he got the attention of Spears’ character, Abby, instead.
Although Abby first appears to be a bit nerdy, wearing glasses and cardigans, she changes up her look in an effort to get attention from Ted.
"She has a total spazzy crush on Ted," Craig Thomas, the co-creator of How I Met Your Mother, told TV Guide, via MTV.
As Ted continued to visit the doctor’s office, Abby’s appearance got more and more sexier with over-the-top hairdos and racier clothing.
Alyson Hannigan And Jason Segel Applauded Britney Spears’ Performance
"[Spears] was so funny, and she already had her character down pat," Alyson Hannigan, who played Lily on the show, told TV Guide. "I had no idea she had such great comic timing."
Meanwhile, Jason Segel, who starred in the role of Marshall, said Spears’ improvisations were "really good."
"She came up with stuff that had everyone laughing," he recalled. "She’s definitely a comedian."
In addition to her cameo in "Ten Sessions," Spears was also seen on an episode titled "Everything Must Go," as Screen Rant revealed.
Neil Patrick Harris Wasn’t A Fan Of Britney Spears’ Cameo
While certain cast members applauded Spears for her rendition of Abby on How I Met Your Mother, Neil Patrick Harris, who played the role of Barney Stinson, wasn’t on board with her cameo role.
As a Screen Rant report explained, Harris actually voiced an objection to the singer’s appearance, claiming to feel that the show would become too reliant on big-name guest stars.
According to an L.A. Times article, Harris claimed he was “in a small minority that thinks the show doesn’t need stunt casting.”
Carter Bays Claimed Britney Spears ‘Rescued’ The Show
According to a report shared by the Insider, Carter Bays, another co-creator of How I Met Your Mother, applauded Spears not only for her cameo role on his series years ago, but also said on Reddit that the pop star’s appearance resulted in an increase in viewership on the CBS comedy show.
"By golly she put our show on the map. It can’t be overstated," he wrote. "Britney Spears rescued us from ever being on the [renewal] bubble again. Thanks Britney!"
