Pop star Britney Spears might have been pretty influential to the success of "How I Met Your Mother," at least according to one of the series' co-creators. The "Toxic" singer played Abby, the sweet but slightly scatterbrained receptionist in the CBS sitcom. She appeared in two episodes during season 3: episode 13, titled "Ten Sessions," and episode 19, "Everything Must Go." Inside Britney Spears' 'How I Met Your Mother' Appearance In season 3, Abby works as the receptionist at Stella Zinman's dermatology clinic. Stel la is played by "Scrubs" alum Sarah Chalke . Although Abby develops an unrequited crush on Ted Mosby ( Josh Radnor ) while he is visiting the clinic to get a tattoo removed, Ted remains focused on Stella. After being ignored by Ted, Abby has a one-night stand with Barney Stinson ( Neil Patrick Harris ). When Barney fails to call her back, she decides to "sabotage" him by warning other ...