CBS hopes Britney can 'hit them one more time' - Video

By M&C Smallscreen Mar 25, 2008, 21:46 GMT

06/28/2003 - Britney Spears - © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos

The reviews are in: Critics were relatively impressed with the troubled pop star's minor guest shot on CBS' "How I Met Your Mother".  

"Britney the Trainwreck showed how she can still be Britney the Performer," wrote the Associated Press. "Spears proved she can act every bit as well as she can sing," wrote the New York Daily News. "Brit looked slim, trim and gorgeous," wrote the New York Post.

Considering the last TV appearance for Spears was the disastrous 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, where her performance was widely-received as an embarrassing mess, it was good news.

"Oh, Ted I love the stash," Spears said, playing the role of Abby the receptionist, who has a crush on Ted, the lead character, played by Josh Radnor. "You are like a young Tom Selleck, only a million times handsomer."

"She showed up on time, knew her lines, was a good comedian and was able to do improvs," said Bruce Fretts, editor-at-large for TV Guide. "The cast really liked her & the crew really liked her."

Instead of showing up with a big entourage, Spears appeared to be accompanied on set only by one stylist, and her mom and her dad.

Spears has endured a very public breakdowns for the last two years. Fans hope her worst days are behind her.

"This is a step in the right direction for her," TV Guide's Fretts said. "This is the first thing we have seen her do in a while that seems like a smart move & that she's in charge and that she's trying to do something positive for a change."