Britney bit boosts ‘Mother’

The “Britney bounce” came to CBS again Monday night, although not as impressively as the first time around.

Rehabilitating pop star Britney Spears delivered a ratings boost for the second time in a bit part on CBS’ sitcom “How I Met Your Mother.” The episode, whose main gag had Spears turning up as the girlfriend of Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), was watched by about 9 million viewers, slightly higher than the season average of 8.5 million, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Spears’ first appearance on the show, on March 24, drew wider attention, with 10.7 million tuning in.

But no matter. While “Mother’s” prospects once looked dicey, CBS this week picked up the show for a fourth season.

-- Scott Collins