Neil Patrick Harris takes a stab at Britney Spears
Britney Spears may have wowed fans with her cameo on CBS’ How I Met Your Mother, but she apparently still has something to prove to a few of the show’s cast members.
“I’m in the minority that feels our show does not need stunt casting in order to succeed,” HIMYM star Neil Patrick Harris declared during a break from taping the sitcom. “I worry that if they start Will and Grace-ing us too much, that the show will suffer. We’re all really proud of the content of the show.”
Britney has been the most high-profile guest star to visit the set, following past appearances by Mandy Moore, Enrique Iglesias and Heidi Klum. Spears’ cameo as a bubbly, sweet receptionist created so much buzz that 10.6 million viewers tuned in to watch the March 24 episode — that’s roughly two million more than the sitcom averages per showing. Among the 18- to 49-year-old demographic, it was the most-watched episode of the series ever.
HIMYM executive producer Carter Bays told the AP he’s proud of the result. “We had no illusions about what the stakes were,” he said. “And if it was classic stunt casting like, ‘Oh, my tour bus broke down outside’ and I just go, ‘Wow, Britney Spears! What are you doing here?’ then, like, we’re just flying over that shark real fast.”
Bays adds, “It was a great character and I think she played it well… I’m glad that we didn’t sensationalize the character in any way.”
Last Monday, the show introduced a “mystery woman” who warns women not to date the single-minded Barney, played by Neil Patrick Harris. When asked who he thinks the network may cast to play the woman, Harris replied, “No telling, but based on the stunt casting we’ve done in the past, I’m guessing Tara Reid.”
All righty-then!
WENN
April 11th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
He sounds like a pompous, arrogant ass. No matter how good a show is, if no one watches it, then it doesn’t matter. It gets pulled. So-called “stunt casting” has pretty much become a staple on sitcoms. My favorite of all time were the callers on Frasier. I never could guess the voices.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Yes, he didn’t do much for his image. I’ll have to say I’m a little bit surprised. I hear what he is saying, but it’s a sitcom, not a freakin’ documentary. A sitcom needs guests every once in a while to keep it interesting!
April 12th, 2008 at 7:56 am
I agree with what he said 100 %. That show has an awesome cast all on its own, and it doesnt add any value to a show to get these washed up stars on there for a couple seconds. I thought she sucked on the show, and it takes time away from the characters that you watch the show for!!
April 12th, 2008 at 11:07 am
I just think he’s an ass.