Britney Spears Begins Filming New "Mother" Episode

Britney's back on TV! Again!

While future brother-in-law Casey Aldridge celebrates his birthday today, Britney Spears is hard at work on a new episode of How I Met Your Mother.

In an episode set to air May 12, Britney Spears will reprise her role as cute, ditzy receptionist Abby, the show's producers officially announced Monday.

Titled "Everything Must Go," the new How I Met Your Mother episode finds guest star Britney Spears and Neil Patrick Harris' character, Barney, flaunting their "relationship" in front of Josh Radnor's character, Ted.

Desperately seeking a response, Barney pops a surprising question to Abby.

A show source described Spears' return to the show as a "mutual decision to work together more." Her father, Jamie Spears, who is in charge of her legal, medical and financial affairs (while she receives treatment for her bipolar disorder) is also said to support her work in TV. Beats parading around in no pants, for sure!

Britney Spears' initial guest starring turn â€" on a March 24 episode â€" earned critical praise and the show's highest ratings to date.