Pop star's guest appearance will air on March 24

Britney Spears is taking a break from making tabloid headlines to shoot an episode of CBS' "How I Met Your Mother."

Shooting will take place this week on Spears' "HIMYM" guest shot and the episode will air on Monday, March 24. That will be the show's second new half-hour after returning from its strike hiatus and it will also be the show's second episode in its new 8:30 p.m. time slot after "Big Bang Theory."

Sources close to the show say that Spears will play Abby, a meek and unassuming receptionist for Ted's (Josh Radnor) dermatologist. When Ted begins to fall for the dermatologist, Abby begins to fall for Ted and makes an effort to clean up nice.

A visit to the always friendly "HIMYM" set may be the perfect rest cure for Spears, who has spent several months the midst of a general whirlwind involving custody of her children, allegations about her mental health and her always entertaining personal life.

In addition to her reality series "Britney & Kevin: Chaotic," Spears stretched her acting muscles in the feature "Crossroads" and in a guest spot on "Will & Grace."