Over the protests of How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris—who in the wake of Britney Spears's recent guest appearance openly bemoaned the slippery stunt-casting slope that threatened to compromise the integrity of his politely tolerated CBS sitcom—the singer has been reportedly asked by producers to return for another ratings-goosing helping of her comic chops. People reports:

"The show is ecstatic and so is Britney," a source said. "She had so much fun the first time around she really wanted to come back. It was a mutual decision to work together more."

The singer/actress will do one episode, the source says.

CBS refuses to verify if the tip is correct, much less divulge any plot details. It's widely believed, however, that Britney would be reprising her role as an emotionally fragile receptionist, picking up from her cliffhanger proposition ("Can we have sex on [your bed], and then go shopping?") for Neil's playboy character. The ensuing real-time sex-romp episode will require Harris to roll around nearly naked with his KFC-breathed co-star for a total of 17 rehearsal and shooting hours, fiendish retribution from producers for having become a little too forthcoming with his thoughts on how best to proceed creatively with the yet-to-be-renewed series.

• EXCLUSIVE: Britney Returning to How I Met Your Mother [People]