Trediz’s Weblog

The past few years have not been the best for the former reigning queen of pop, Britney Spears.  She has been living a real life soap opera right before our very eyes.  With multiple trips to rehab, trips to psychiatric hospital, underwear battles, and divorce/custody battles, Britney’s life seems to be a plotline from “The Young and the Restless.”  With relentless bad press and constant stalking by the paparazzi, Spears’ professional life has also suffered.  Her 2007 album “Blackout” sold 290,000 copies in its first week.  These numbers may seem impressive to some people, but “Blackout” was Spears’ first album not to reach number one on the Billboard charts.  Also, Spears’ performance at the 2007 Video Music Awards, left critics and fans disappointed by her bad lip synching and poorly executed dance moves.  For the past two years, you couldn’t turn on the television or pick up a magazine without hearing about Britney’s daily routines and struggles.  Britney’s erratic behavior has even made headlines for “legitimate” news sources such as CNN and MSNBC.

Recently it was announced that Spears would guest star on the CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother.”  I must admit that when I heard this, I thought that it was a terrible idea.  Britney Spears couldn’t get good press if she paid for it.   I was left wondering why CBS would become associated with the train wreck that is Spears’ life.  But once the entertainment news shows got wind of Spears’ guest spot, it was nothing but good PR for Spears and “How I Met Your Mother.”  The stars of the CBS show had nothing but positive comments about Britney and her professionalism on set.  After hearing about Britney’s professionalism, I slowly got behind CBS’ decision to have Britney guest star.

From a PR perspective, I think that this was a smart move for Britney to do the guest spot.  It got people talking about her in a positive way instead of talking about her many personal problems.  Personally I watched the episode that aired on Mar. 24, 2008 and thought that Britney did a decent job.  She probably won’t be nominated for any Emmys or Golden Globes anytime soon, but it showed that she could be serious about her work.  Britney’s stint on “How I Met Your Mother” could also help her music career.  People who are uneasy about working with Spears would see that she is ready and willing to do the work.  Although I was skeptical at first, I think this was also a good PR move for CBS and “How I Met Your Mother.”  You can’t pay for the press that Britney brought the CBS show.  Britney’s episode was also the shows highest rated episode in its three-season run.