Ten Sessions
Encyclopedia
"Ten Sessions" is the thirteenth episode of the third season of How I Met Your Mother
, and the 57th episode overall of the series. It originally aired on March 24, 2008 on CBS
. In the episode, Ted
is repeatedly rejected by his dermatologist Stella for a date, so Stella's receptionist, Abby, becomes interested in him.
The episode was written by series co-creators Carter Bays
and Craig Thomas
, and directed by Pamela Fryman
. Singer Britney Spears
guest starred as Abby, and Sarah Chalke
and Marshall Manesh
guest starred as Stella and Ranjit, respectively. According to the Nielsen ratings
, "Ten Sessions" was watched by 10.64 million households, which was the show's highest rating for season 3. The episode received generally positive reviews.
(Josh Radnor
) is at the clinic to remove his tattoo, where he is attracted to his doctor, Stella (Sarah Chalke
). They agree to go to a movie, but Ted doesn't realize Stella had brought her friends along with her, and it was not a date, as this is against AMA rules. At the next session, Ted suggests waiting till his ten sessions are over before asking her out, but Stella tells him she will still say no. Ted still feels that over ten weeks, she will start to like him, so decides to keep trying. Even though the first five sessions go well, Stella confirms her answer is still no. Ted decides that being nice to the receptionist, Abby (Britney Spears
), would be a good way to let Stella see his good side, but instead, Abby starts to show interest in him. Upset that this didn't work, Ted tries using a self help book he saw in Stella's clinic. When he tries talking to her about this, she reveals it isn't her book, and she detests it, while Abby confirms that Ted was reading the book in the reception.
Robin
(Cobie Smulders
) suggests Ted give up on Stella and instead focus on Abby. Barney
(Neil Patrick Harris
) agrees, as he made an appointment with Stella to check what she was like, and discovered she had a condition where she is only attracted to men with mustaches. Although Ted doesn't believe him, he still tries to grow a mustache, which Stella laughs at (a year earlier, Barney had made a ten-dollar bet with Ted that he could get him to grow a mustache). Upset, Ted says he gives up, but Lily
(Alyson Hannigan
) tells him to try again, as Stella is interested in him, though she says she has not been to see her. It is then revealed that Marshall
(Jason Segel
) had gone to see Stella to talk up Ted, and found out Stella had a crush on him. Happy that Stella is interested in him, Ted asks her out after his last session, but she says she does not have a time for dating because she has a daughter.
After a while, Ted realizes she didn't actually say the word 'no', just that she didn't have time, and so decides to take her out on a "two minute date" - to dinner at a table at the café next door to her practice and a "movie" in clips at the electronics store two doors down, with help from Ranjit (Marshall Manesh
). The date goes well, and Stella promises to call if she ever has time. Finally, Abby sees Ted outside the clinic holding flowers he tried to give to Stella, and chases him down the street. She is then seen at the reception telling Barney about how he toyed with her emotions, after which they go out to have sex.
"Ten Sessions" was written by series co-creators Carter Bays
and Craig Thomas
, and directed by Pamela Fryman
. In early March 2008, it was confirmed that singer Britney Spears
would guest star on the show. Neil Patrick Harris
was "shocked" that Spears was willing to "come and do some acting", noting that she had not acted in a while. Spears's last acting role was on Will & Grace
in 2006. Harris told Entertainment Tonight
that the paparazzi would not be a problem, since the show is shot on the Fox
secure lot. Before Sarah Chalke
was given the role as Stella, Alicia Silverstone
was originally set to guest star, but dropped out when her representatives feared she would be "overshadowed" by Spears. Co-creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas "love" Silverstone and hope she will eventually guest star on the show.
Alyson Hannigan
said that Spears "was so funny" and that she had "no idea she [Spears] had such great comic timing". According to Jason Segel
, Spears improvised a few lines that were "really good" and set "everyone laughing". Spears was nominated for a People's Choice Award in the Favorite Scene-Stealing Guest Star category for her performance in the episode. In May 2008, it was announced that Spears would return for another episode. The episode, entitled "Everything Must Go", aired on May 12, 2008, and was written "to leave the door open for the pop singer to make a return appearance next season", according to series co-creator Craig Thomas.
"Ten Sessions" first aired on CBS in the United States on March 24, 2008. The song "Thirteen
" by Big Star is featured in the episode. Spears's wardrobe in the episode was put up for an online auction to benefit the Natural Resources Defense Council
. The auction began just after the episode aired and would be going on for a week. The yellow Nanette Lepore
lace dress Spears wore in the episode was sold for $1,525, and the embroidered rust dress was sold for $1,925.
. The episode achieved the show's highest rating ever in the 18–49 demographic. It attracted 1 million more viewers than the previous episode, and 2.4 million more than the show's average before the writer's strike
. The episode achieved a 4.5/12 rating in the key 18–49 demographic among adults, and was the fourth highest-rated show of the evening. Since airing, the episode has received generally positive reviews from television critics. Linda Stasi of the New York Post
said that Spears looked "slim [...] trim and gorgeous" and that "her acting was nothing short of adorably believable". Stasi said that "Britney's few minutes on camera made the whole show worth watching". David Hinckley of NY Daily News said that Spears "proved she can act every bit as well as she can sing". Michelle Zoromski of IGN
called Spears's appearance a "nice change of pace from her latest public appearances", but a "bit clunky and not as seamless as other guest roles have been on the show".
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 19, 2005, created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays.As a framing device, the main character, Ted Mosby with narration by Bob Saget, in the year 2030 recounts to his son and daughter the events that led to his meeting...
, and the 57th episode overall of the series. It originally aired on March 24, 2008 on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
. In the episode, Ted
Ted Mosby
Theodore Evelyn "Ted" Mosby is the titular fictional character of the U.S. television sitcom How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Josh Radnor...
is repeatedly rejected by his dermatologist Stella for a date, so Stella's receptionist, Abby, becomes interested in him.
The episode was written by series co-creators Carter Bays
Carter Bays
Carter Bays is an American television writer. Along with writing partner Craig Thomas, he is best known as creator, writer, and executive producer of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother. He has 70 episodes of the show under his belt from 2005-2009, and has been nominated for six primetime Emmy...
and Craig Thomas
Craig Thomas (screenwriter)
Craig Thomas is an American television writer, he, along with writing partner Carter Bays, has written episodes of American Dad!, Oliver Beene, Quintuplets and the hit CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, which they created in 2005. He has been nominated for six primetime Emmy Awards...
, and directed by Pamela Fryman
Pamela Fryman
Pamela Fryman is an American sitcom director and producer.-Career:Fryman got her first job on The John Davidson Show as an assistant to the talent coordinator, and went on to be a booth production assistant and secretary on Santa Barbara, eventually moving up to Assistant Director , and...
. Singer Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
guest starred as Abby, and Sarah Chalke
Sarah Chalke
Sarah Chalke is a Canadian-American actress known for portraying Dr. Elliot Reid on the NBC/ABC comedy Scrubs, "Second Becky" Conner Healy on Roseanne, and Stella Zinman in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother...
and Marshall Manesh
Marshall Manesh
Marshall Manesh is an Iranian/American actor.Manesh was born in Mashhad, Iran. He has appeared in the television shows Will & Grace, Entourage, Scrubs, How I Met Your Mother in a recurring role as the Bangladeshi taxi/town car/limo driver Ranjit, Burn Notice, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,...
guest starred as Stella and Ranjit, respectively. According to the Nielsen ratings
Nielsen Ratings
Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
, "Ten Sessions" was watched by 10.64 million households, which was the show's highest rating for season 3. The episode received generally positive reviews.
Plot
TedTed Mosby
Theodore Evelyn "Ted" Mosby is the titular fictional character of the U.S. television sitcom How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Josh Radnor...
(Josh Radnor
Josh Radnor
Joshua Michael "Josh" Radnor is an American actor, director, and writer, best known for portraying the main character Ted Mosby on the popular, Emmy Award-winning CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, for which he has received worldwide fame and recognitions.He made his writing and directorial debut...
) is at the clinic to remove his tattoo, where he is attracted to his doctor, Stella (Sarah Chalke
Sarah Chalke
Sarah Chalke is a Canadian-American actress known for portraying Dr. Elliot Reid on the NBC/ABC comedy Scrubs, "Second Becky" Conner Healy on Roseanne, and Stella Zinman in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother...
). They agree to go to a movie, but Ted doesn't realize Stella had brought her friends along with her, and it was not a date, as this is against AMA rules. At the next session, Ted suggests waiting till his ten sessions are over before asking her out, but Stella tells him she will still say no. Ted still feels that over ten weeks, she will start to like him, so decides to keep trying. Even though the first five sessions go well, Stella confirms her answer is still no. Ted decides that being nice to the receptionist, Abby (Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
), would be a good way to let Stella see his good side, but instead, Abby starts to show interest in him. Upset that this didn't work, Ted tries using a self help book he saw in Stella's clinic. When he tries talking to her about this, she reveals it isn't her book, and she detests it, while Abby confirms that Ted was reading the book in the reception.
Robin
Robin Scherbatsky
Robin Charles Scherbatsky, Jr. is a fictional character created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Canadian actress Cobie Smulders.- Early life :...
(Cobie Smulders
Cobie Smulders
Jacoba Francisca Maria "Cobie" Smulders is a Canadian actress and former model, known for her role as Robin Scherbatsky on the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother.-Early life:...
) suggests Ted give up on Stella and instead focus on Abby. Barney
Barney Stinson
Barnabas "Barney" Stinson is a fictional character created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris. The character has been extremely well received by critics and has been credited for much of the show's success...
(Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris is an American actor, singer, director, and magician.Prominent roles of his career include the title role in Doogie Howser, M.D., Colonel Carl Jenkins in Starship Troopers, the womanizing Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, a fictionalized version of himself in the Harold...
) agrees, as he made an appointment with Stella to check what she was like, and discovered she had a condition where she is only attracted to men with mustaches. Although Ted doesn't believe him, he still tries to grow a mustache, which Stella laughs at (a year earlier, Barney had made a ten-dollar bet with Ted that he could get him to grow a mustache). Upset, Ted says he gives up, but Lily
Lily Aldrin
Lillian "Lily" Aldrin is a fictional character created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by American actress Alyson Hannigan. She is the wife of Marshall Eriksen and the best friend of Robin Scherbatsky...
(Alyson Hannigan
Alyson Hannigan
Alyson Lee Hannigan is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Willow Rosenberg in the cult classic television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Michelle Flaherty in three American Pie films, and Lily Aldrin on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.-Early life:Hannigan was born in...
) tells him to try again, as Stella is interested in him, though she says she has not been to see her. It is then revealed that Marshall
Marshall Eriksen
Marshall Eriksen is a fictional character in the American sitcom How I Met Your Mother, created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas and portrayed by Jason Segel.-Character profile:Marshall is an easy-going, naive optimist from St. Cloud, Minnesota...
(Jason Segel
Jason Segel
Jason Jordan Segel is an American television and film actor, screenwriter, composer, puppeteer and musician, known for his work with producer Judd Apatow on the short-lived television series Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared, the films Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up, I Love You, Man,...
) had gone to see Stella to talk up Ted, and found out Stella had a crush on him. Happy that Stella is interested in him, Ted asks her out after his last session, but she says she does not have a time for dating because she has a daughter.
After a while, Ted realizes she didn't actually say the word 'no', just that she didn't have time, and so decides to take her out on a "two minute date" - to dinner at a table at the café next door to her practice and a "movie" in clips at the electronics store two doors down, with help from Ranjit (Marshall Manesh
Marshall Manesh
Marshall Manesh is an Iranian/American actor.Manesh was born in Mashhad, Iran. He has appeared in the television shows Will & Grace, Entourage, Scrubs, How I Met Your Mother in a recurring role as the Bangladeshi taxi/town car/limo driver Ranjit, Burn Notice, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,...
). The date goes well, and Stella promises to call if she ever has time. Finally, Abby sees Ted outside the clinic holding flowers he tried to give to Stella, and chases him down the street. She is then seen at the reception telling Barney about how he toyed with her emotions, after which they go out to have sex.
Continuity
- After the first session, Marshall says that in ten weeks, he will want "Sloppy Joe, shrimp cocktail with a milkshake" for lunch. After the tenth session, he does in fact have that for lunch, where he offers Ted a shrimp.
- Ted got his butterfly tramp stamp tattoo on his wild night out with Amy in "Wait for ItWait for It"Wait for It" is the first episode in the third season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 45th episode overall. It originally aired on September 24, 2007.- Plot :...
". - In "The Platinum Rule", Ted tells the group about his crush on his doctor and they try to convince him that he shouldn't date someone he sees regularly. The Platinum Rule takes place during the evening of Ted's first meeting with Stella and his movie "date" with her and her friends. Ted is wearing the same clothes to the movies that he wore during The Platinum Rule.
- In "Brunch", Ted states that Barney always uses 83 percent when he makes up a statistic. Barney says in this episode that it takes a woman 8.3 seconds to find out if she's going to sleep with a man or not.
- The waitress who quickly serves Ted and Stella their lunch at the Gyro Cafe is Wendy the Waitress, who frequently serves Ted and his friends drinks at MacLaren's Pub. Similarly, the taxi driver who drives Ted and Stella from stop to stop during their date is Ranjit, who frequently serves as a taxi or limo driver to the group.
Cultural references
- Ted refers to himself as complex and requiring multiple listens like the song Stairway to HeavenStairway to Heaven"Stairway to Heaven" is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in late 1971. It was composed by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant for the band's untitled fourth studio album . The song, running eight minutes and two seconds, is composed of several sections, which...
by Led ZeppelinLed ZeppelinLed Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, to which Robin replies "Roger DaltreyRoger DaltreyRoger Harry Daltrey, CBE , is an English singer and actor, best known as the founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who. He has maintained a musical career as a solo artist and has also worked in the film industry, acting in a large number of films, theatre and television roles and also...
just rolled over in his grave" who was not in Led Zeppelin, but the lead singer of the band The WhoThe WhoThe Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
and who isn't even dead. The dead member of Led Zeppelin is drummer John BonhamJohn BonhamJohn Henry Bonham was an English musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer of Led Zeppelin. Bonham was esteemed for his speed, power, fast right foot, distinctive sound, and "feel" for the groove...
. - When talking to Stella, Ted says he has a high threshold for pain: "Just last night I sat through the worst movie ever made." Stella says: "Oh, Plan 9 from Outer SpacePlan 9 from Outer SpacePlan 9 from Outer Space is a 1959 science fiction film written and directed by Edward D. Wood, Jr. The film features Gregory Walcott, Mona McKinnon, Tor Johnson and Maila "Vampira" Nurmi...
?" - and Ted replies: "No...the Worst Movie, Manos: The Hands of FateManos: The Hands of FateManos: The Hands of Fate is an American horror film written, directed, produced by, and starring Harold P. Warren. It is widely recognized to be one of the worst films ever made...
." - After stating that Ted (with his mustache) looks like a young Tom SelleckTom SelleckThomas William "Tom" Selleck is an American actor, and film producer. He is best known for his starring role as Hawaii-based private investigator Thomas Magnum on the 1980s television show Magnum, P.I.. He also plays Police Chief Jesse Stone in a series of made-for-TV movies based on the Robert B....
, Abby jokingly picks up the phone and announces that "Magnum's here to see you," referring to Tom Selleck's character on Magnum, P.I.Magnum, P.I.Magnum, P.I. is an American television series starring Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum, a private investigator living on Oahu, Hawaii. The series ran from 1980 to 1988 in first-run broadcast on the American CBS television network.... - Stella tells Ted to come back and see her if he ever ends up with dolphins tattooed on his ankle. This is a reference to cast member Alyson Hannigan who has just such a tattoo.
Production
Carter Bays
Carter Bays is an American television writer. Along with writing partner Craig Thomas, he is best known as creator, writer, and executive producer of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother. He has 70 episodes of the show under his belt from 2005-2009, and has been nominated for six primetime Emmy...
and Craig Thomas
Craig Thomas (screenwriter)
Craig Thomas is an American television writer, he, along with writing partner Carter Bays, has written episodes of American Dad!, Oliver Beene, Quintuplets and the hit CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, which they created in 2005. He has been nominated for six primetime Emmy Awards...
, and directed by Pamela Fryman
Pamela Fryman
Pamela Fryman is an American sitcom director and producer.-Career:Fryman got her first job on The John Davidson Show as an assistant to the talent coordinator, and went on to be a booth production assistant and secretary on Santa Barbara, eventually moving up to Assistant Director , and...
. In early March 2008, it was confirmed that singer Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
would guest star on the show. Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris is an American actor, singer, director, and magician.Prominent roles of his career include the title role in Doogie Howser, M.D., Colonel Carl Jenkins in Starship Troopers, the womanizing Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, a fictionalized version of himself in the Harold...
was "shocked" that Spears was willing to "come and do some acting", noting that she had not acted in a while. Spears's last acting role was on Will & Grace
Will & Grace
Will & Grace was an American television sitcom that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 21, 1998 to May 18, 2006 for a total of eight seasons. Will & Grace remains the most successful television series with gay principal characters...
in 2006. Harris told Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight is a daily tabloid television entertainment television news show that is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution throughout the United States, Canada and in many countries around the world. Linda Bell Blue is currently the program's executive producer...
that the paparazzi would not be a problem, since the show is shot on the Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
secure lot. Before Sarah Chalke
Sarah Chalke
Sarah Chalke is a Canadian-American actress known for portraying Dr. Elliot Reid on the NBC/ABC comedy Scrubs, "Second Becky" Conner Healy on Roseanne, and Stella Zinman in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother...
was given the role as Stella, Alicia Silverstone
Alicia Silverstone
Alicia Silverstone is an American actress, author, and former fashion model. She first came to widespread attention in music videos for Aerosmith, and is perhaps best known for her roles in Hollywood films such as Clueless and her portrayal of Batgirl in Batman & Robin .-Early life:Silverstone...
was originally set to guest star, but dropped out when her representatives feared she would be "overshadowed" by Spears. Co-creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas "love" Silverstone and hope she will eventually guest star on the show.
Alyson Hannigan
Alyson Hannigan
Alyson Lee Hannigan is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Willow Rosenberg in the cult classic television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Michelle Flaherty in three American Pie films, and Lily Aldrin on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.-Early life:Hannigan was born in...
said that Spears "was so funny" and that she had "no idea she [Spears] had such great comic timing". According to Jason Segel
Jason Segel
Jason Jordan Segel is an American television and film actor, screenwriter, composer, puppeteer and musician, known for his work with producer Judd Apatow on the short-lived television series Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared, the films Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up, I Love You, Man,...
, Spears improvised a few lines that were "really good" and set "everyone laughing". Spears was nominated for a People's Choice Award in the Favorite Scene-Stealing Guest Star category for her performance in the episode. In May 2008, it was announced that Spears would return for another episode. The episode, entitled "Everything Must Go", aired on May 12, 2008, and was written "to leave the door open for the pop singer to make a return appearance next season", according to series co-creator Craig Thomas.
"Ten Sessions" first aired on CBS in the United States on March 24, 2008. The song "Thirteen
Thirteen (song)
"Thirteen" is a song by the American rock band Big Star. Rolling Stone describes it "one of rock's most beautiful celebrations of adolescence", and rated it #396 in a list of the 500 greatest songs of all time...
" by Big Star is featured in the episode. Spears's wardrobe in the episode was put up for an online auction to benefit the Natural Resources Defense Council
Natural Resources Defense Council
The Natural Resources Defense Council is a New York City-based, non-profit, non-partisan international environmental advocacy group, with offices in Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Beijing...
. The auction began just after the episode aired and would be going on for a week. The yellow Nanette Lepore
Nanette Lepore
Nanette Lepore is a well known fashion designer based in New York City. New York magazine has said that she is "Known for her feminine style and fine detailing, Nanette Lepore makes ultra-chic clothes that are at the same time easy to wear."-Biography:Lepore's father, James, was a professor of art...
lace dress Spears wore in the episode was sold for $1,525, and the embroidered rust dress was sold for $1,925.
Reception
In its original broadcast in the United States, "Ten Sessions" was watched by 10.62 million households according to the Nielsen ratingsNielsen Ratings
Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
. The episode achieved the show's highest rating ever in the 18–49 demographic. It attracted 1 million more viewers than the previous episode, and 2.4 million more than the show's average before the writer's strike
2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike
The 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, more commonly referred to as simply the Writers' Strike, was a strike by the Writers Guild of America, East and the Writers Guild of America, West ....
. The episode achieved a 4.5/12 rating in the key 18–49 demographic among adults, and was the fourth highest-rated show of the evening. Since airing, the episode has received generally positive reviews from television critics. Linda Stasi of the New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
said that Spears looked "slim [...] trim and gorgeous" and that "her acting was nothing short of adorably believable". Stasi said that "Britney's few minutes on camera made the whole show worth watching". David Hinckley of NY Daily News said that Spears "proved she can act every bit as well as she can sing". Michelle Zoromski of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
called Spears's appearance a "nice change of pace from her latest public appearances", but a "bit clunky and not as seamless as other guest roles have been on the show".