Problems? What problems? Britney Spears is a comic genius on "How I Met Your Mother"

You know that Britney Spears we’ve all been hearing about ad nauseum for the past year or so, the one in a downward spiral who refuses to listen to reason and is so crazy that not only did she lose custody of her children, she briefly lost permission to even see them?

Apparently, she has been replaced by the sweetest, kindest, humblest, most professional person on the face of the planet.

TV Guide has a story (on newsstands today) about Britney’s stunt-casting appearance on an episode of “How I Met Your Mother,” a show that could use a ratings bump if it’s going to survive into another season, and everyone in the cast lovedlovedloved her, and only because she was such a consummate pro, not because she’ll provide them with that much-needed added viewership.

The piece immediately vaunts to the top of the very large pile of entertainment puff pieces. It seems to have come from a distant planet where no one has ever heard of strife or challenges or unhappiness. Consider these quotes, and vote for the one you consider most obsequious!

* Josh Radnor (Ted): “She’s friendly, shows up on time, knows all her lines, nails all of her jokes. The only thing scandalous about all of this is how nonscandalous it is.”

* Craig Thomas (executive producer): “She wanted to work on her acting chops and play a specific comedic role. (Editor’s note: Yeah, I’m certain that at this point in her life, what Britney wanted most was to “work on her acting chops and play a specific comedic role” on a nominally rated sitcom.) She seemed nervous at first. [But] when she started getting laughs she started having a good time. We don’t have a high-pressure environment. We don’t shoot in front of a live studio audience so we can do as many takes as we want. I think that atmosphere really appealed to her and she felt comfortable.”

* Alyson Hannigan (Lily): “She was so funny and she already had her character down pat. I had no idea she had such great comic timing.”

* Jason Segal (Marshall): “Her improvs were really good. Sometimes at table reads you play around with lines and try different things. She came up with stuff that had everyone laughing. She’s definitely a comedian.” (Editor’s note: This one gets my vote for most obsequious.)

For her part, Spears merely issued a bland statement: “I’m having a blast. Working at ‘How I Met Your Mother’ has been so terrific. Everyone has been wonderful.”

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In other stunt-casting news, Robin Williams will the villain du jour – and no, we don’t mean “Patch Adams” – on the 200th episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” which will air April 29.