Britney on ‘How I Met Your Mother’

Britney on ‘How I Met Your Mother’

NEW YORK — Britney Spears’ upcoming appearance on the CBS show ‘How I Met Your Mother” could be — to borrow scene-stealer Barney’s favorite word — legendary. Spears will guest star in a March 24 episode of the cult series, CBS spokeswoman Kelli Raftery told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The pop star will portray a receptionist in a dermatologist’s office who becomes “smitten” with Ted, Raftery said. Craig Thomas, the show’s creator, said Spears attended a table reading with the cast on Monday, and that her scenes will probably be filmed later this week. He said representatives for Spears approached CBS about “Mother” bec!use “she was looking for a small part on a funny show.” Spears has previous TV sitcom experience playing a character on a 2006 episode of “Will and Grace.” She was also the host and musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” in 2000. “How I Met Your Mother” is returning Monday with all-new episodes following the writers strike.

‘Idol’ finalist advises new ex-stripper finalist

LOS ANGELES — First-season “American Idol” finalist Nikki McKibbin says she was upfront with “Idol” producers about her stripping past seven years ago. McKibbin, who came in third during the first season of the Fox singing competition, says she stripped for “five or six months” in Fort Worth, Texas. When asked on an “Idol” application if she had any professional dance experience, McKibbin says she wrote: “Yes — exotic.” Current finalist David Hernandez made headlines last week when it was revealed he steadily worked as a stripper for three years, dancing nude for the “mostly male” clientele at Dick’s Cabaret in Phoenix. McKibbin’s advice to Hernandez: Have “no regrets” about his past. “He did what he did for a reason, whether he loved what he was doing or he needed the money,” said McKibbin. The now-married mother of two is rebutting a report that she had a suicidal breakdown on Feb. 21 over her mother’s death last August. McKibbin said the incident has been “blown out of proportion.” “I broke my foot and had a bad reaction to pain medication,” McKibbin told The Associated Press on Monday.

McKibbin insists she was never suicidal.

Today’s birthdays

Playwright Edward Albee is 80. Former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young is 76. Broadcast journalist Lloyd Dobyns is 72. Singer Al Jarreau is 68. Actress-singer Liza Minnelli is 62. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is 61. Singer-songwriter James Taylor is 60. Rock singer-musician Bill Payne (Little Feat) is 59. Actor Jon Provost (“Lassie”) is 58. Author Carl Hiaasen is 55. Rock musician Steve Harris (Iron Maiden) is 52. Actor Jerry Levine is 51. Singer Marlon Jackson (The Jackson Five) is 51. Actor Courtney B. Vance is 48. Actor Titus Welliver is 47. Former baseball player Darryl Strawberry is 46. Actress Julia Campbell is 45. Actor Aaron Eckhart is 40. Rock musician Graham Coxon is 39. Country musician Tommy Bales (Flynnville Train) is 35. Actor Samm Levine is 26. Actor Tyler Patrick Jones is 14.