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. … continue reading

Ratings are God. OK, let me rephrase that before someone chucks a Bible/Koran/Torah/Vedas/dog-eared copy of Atlas Shrugged at my head (what, no radical individualists here?). In the world of television, ratings are God. Sure, good writing and strong acting are minor gods. But the Big Kahuna is, and always will be, ratings. In the quest for more and bigger ones, television has a long and sordid history of sacrificial offerings stunt casting. Though, sometimes when you consider who they’re offering up, you wonder if we the audience aren’t the ones being sacrificed instead. Case in point:

Oy. Two well-regarded (if not on my must-see list) shows, How I Met Your Mother and My Name Is Earl, are bringing on guest starlets Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, respectively. Both shows are no doubt relying on the high-profile cameos to help them build buzz for their new episodes as they return post–writers' strike. And, dagnabbit, if it hasn’t worked. Still, as the doomed character in any sci-fi film would say, “Dear God, what have we done?!”

Brit-Brit, who will appear on How I Met Your Mother March 24, is no doubt using her one-episode appearance as yet another comeback launching pad. She will play “Abby,” a receptionist for Ted’s dermatologist who becomes smitten with him. Scrubs star Sarah Chalke will play the dermatologist. Not like anyone noticed with all the “Oh, my God, that Britney’s shameless” hoopla going around. In fact, Alicia Silverstone dropped out from the dermatologist role precisely for that reason. … continue reading