499:") as episodes where he "will still laugh, and be touched, and marvel at just how inventive a traditional-looking sitcom can be". Bowman gave the episode a 'B' grade, and was more critical of "Ten Sessions". She expressed: "the timing wasn't spot-on all the way through 'Ten Sessions'. The episode was slow starting, and as with many of the series' 'Ted is a master of romance' attempts, the two-minute date seemed as likely to be annoying-quirky as endearing-quirky, if you were the one being
291:, but Ted does not realize Stella had brought her friends along with her and it was not a date. At the next session, Ted suggests waiting until his ten tattoo removal sessions are over before asking her out, but Stella tells him she will still say no. Even though the first five sessions go well with Ted and Stella getting to know each other better, Stella confirms her answer is still no. Ted tries to show Stella his good side by being nice to the receptionist, Abby (
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445:. The episode achieved a 4.5/12 rating in the key 18–49 demographic among adults, and was the fourth highest-rated show of the evening; it subsequently achieved the show's highest rating ever in the 18–49 demographic. Show co-creator Bays later said that Britney Spears' appearance greatly benefited ratings: "And by golly she put our show on the map. It can't be overstated. Britney Spears rescued us from ever being
341:) and Wendy the Waitress. The date goes well, and Stella kisses Ted and promises to call him if she ever has time. Finally, Abby sees Ted outside the clinic holding flowers he tried to give to Stella, and chases him down the street. At the reception, Abby complains to Barney about how Ted toyed with her emotions, after which she and Barney go out to have sex.
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would have really liked it, ditzy romantic that she is. But no—it's just an ounce heavy on the trying-too-hard scale." In contrast, Zoromski gave the episode an 8.9 out of ten, signifying a "great" rating. He thought that the episode was superior to the previous episode, adding that the show returned
322:
had gone to see Stella to talk up Ted, and found out Stella had a crush on him; Marshall left his self-help book at her clinic. Happy that Stella is interested in him, Ted asks her out after his last session, but she says she does not have time for dating because she has a daughter. However, Ted soon
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was originally set to guest star, but dropped out when her representatives feared she would be "overshadowed" by Spears. Co-creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas "love" Silverstone and hoped she would eventually guest star on the show, although she never did.
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in the
Favorite Scene-Stealing Guest Star category for her performance in the episode. "Ten Sessions" first aired on CBS in the United States on March 24, 2008. Spears's wardrobe in the episode was put up for an online auction to benefit the
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was also less enthusiastic about the singer's performance. Bowman opined: "The Big
Britney Episode, as it will henceforth be known, wasn't really much to get all huffy over. You can say this for the team: They tend to minimize the
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argued however that while Spears' appearance was a "nice change of pace from her latest public appearances", it was nonetheless a "bit clunky and not as seamless as other guest roles have been on the show". Donna Bowman of
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Recalling Stella saying that she only has two minutes out for lunch every day, Ted takes her out on a "two-minute date" — to dinner at a table at the café next door to her practice and "the important parts" of
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suggest that Ted give up on Stella and instead focus on Abby. Barney claims to a disbelieving Ted that he made an appointment with Stella to meet her and discovered that she is only attracted to men with
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he saw in Stella's clinic, but she reveals it is not her book and she detests it, while Abby confirms that Ted was reading the book in the reception.
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Along with Spears's performance specifically, "Ten
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was "shocked" that Spears was willing to "come and do some acting", noting that she had not acted in a while. Spears's last acting role was on
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tells an embarrassed Ted to try again, as Stella is interested in him, though she says she has not been to see her. It is then revealed that
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of their special guest stars. Britney was a sideshow, and she got her couple of laughs, but she didn't hog the screen time."
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echoed similar sentiments, avouching that she "proved she can act every bit as well as she can sing". Michelle
Zoromski of
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In its original broadcast in the United States, "Ten
Sessions" was watched by 10.62 million viewers according to the
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lace dress Spears wore in the episode was sold for US$ 1,525, and the embroidered rust dress was sold for US$ 1,925.
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would make a guest appearance on the show as Abby. Alongside Spears, "Ten
Sessions" featured guest appearances from
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said that Spears "was so funny" and that she had "no idea she had such great comic timing". According to
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910:"Jennifer Love Hewitt Turned Down How I Met Your Mother?! (Plus, Series Finale Secrets Revealed...)"
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295:), but instead, Abby starts to show interest in him. Then, Ted tries using a
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at the electronics store two doors down, with help from Ranjit (
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In March 2008, it was announced that
American recording artist
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Critics commended Spears for her performance in the episode.
856:"Britney Spears boosts 'How I Met Your Mother' ratings"
827:"Britney Spears' Nanette Lepore Embroidered Rust Dress"
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13th episode of the 3rd season of How I Met Your Mother
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would not be a problem, since the show is shot on the
622:"Britney Spears scores highest rating for US sitcom"
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Spears' appearance was critically acclaimed by most
361:. In early March 2008, it was confirmed that singer
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588:"Neil Patrick Harries 'shocked' by Britney casting"
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802:"Britney Spears' Nanette Lepore Yellow Lace dress"
495:, Sepinwall singles out this episode (along with "
349:"Ten Sessions" was written by series co-creators
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553:"Britney to guest star on How I Met Your Mother"
209:. The episode was written by series co-creators
281:, where he is attracted to his doctor, Stella (
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527:"Britney on 'How I Met Your Mother' March 24"
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586:M. Silverman, Stephen (2008-03-11).
240:, Abby, becomes interested in him.
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1024:TV (The Book), softcover, page 278
964:Zoromiski, Michelle (2008-03-25).
829:. Seen On! Auction. Archived from
804:. Seen On! Auction. Archived from
14:
1323:2008 American television episodes
709:Vineyard, Jennifer (2008-03-21).
415:Natural Resources Defense Council
285:). They agree to go to a movie,
908:Aguilera, Leanne (2014-02-03).
934:Hinckley, David (2008-03-25).
393:was given the role as Stella,
365:would guest star on the show.
225:is repeatedly rejected by his
44:
1:
648:Claustro, Lisa (2008-03-07).
195:" is the 13th episode of the
994:Bowman, Donna (2008-03-25).
854:Huff, Richard (2008-03-26).
743:Vena, Jocelyn (2008-11-10).
681:Goldman, Eric (2008-03-11).
551:Orloff, Brian (2009-03-10).
327:actually say the word "no".
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751:(Viacom). Archived from
449:again. Thanks Britney!"
334:Manos: The Hands of Fate
267:Ted is at the clinic to
91:March 24, 2008
1260:Sandcastles in the Sand
1183:How I Met Everyone Else
288:Plan 9 from Outer Space
1253:The Chain of Screaming
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323:realizes that she did
175:How I Met Your Mother
1078:How I Met Your Mother
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410:People's Choice Award
378:Entertainment Tonight
375:in 2006. Harris told
202:How I Met Your Mother
35:How I Met Your Mother
887:Entertainment Weekly
755:on December 23, 2008
456:. David Hinckley of
1162:We're Not from Here
941:New York Daily News
861:New York Daily News
459:New York Daily News
389:secure lot. Before
367:Neil Patrick Harris
1281:Everything Must Go
435:
395:Alicia Silverstone
357:, and directed by
221:. In the episode,
217:, and directed by
134:Episode chronology
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1225:The Platinum Rule
725:on March 25, 2008
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238:receptionist
215:Craig Thomas
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193:Ten Sessions
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113:Sarah Chalke
74:Craig Thomas
33:
26:Ten Sessions
25:
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1274:Rebound Bro
1246:The Bracket
1232:No Tomorrow
1211:Slapsgiving
1176:Little Boys
1169:Third Wheel
1155:Wait for It
406:Jason Segel
351:Carter Bays
211:Carter Bays
162:The Bracket
150:No Tomorrow
70:Carter Bays
56:Directed by
1317:Categories
1011:2011-12-10
975:2010-01-28
947:2010-01-28
894:2010-01-30
867:2010-01-30
837:2010-01-28
812:2010-01-28
787:2009-01-28
759:2010-01-28
729:2010-01-28
692:2010-01-29
664:2010-01-28
634:2010-01-30
604:2010-01-28
569:2010-01-28
537:2010-01-28
514:References
345:Production
273:lower-back
95:2008-03-24
66:Written by
51:Episode 13
1006:The Onion
531:Today.com
425:Reception
383:paparazzi
381:that the
312:mustaches
276:butterfly
127:as Ranjit
115:as Stella
1302:Category
1288:Miracles
1267:The Goat
1218:The Yips
1146:Season 3
1093:Seasons:
1082:episodes
919:19 March
781:Fox News
497:Slap Bet
320:Marshall
177:season 3
145:Previous
43:Episode
654:BuddyTV
454:critics
158: →
143:←
121:as Abby
93: (
38:episode
719:Viacom
593:People
558:People
506:Scrubs
307:Barney
279:tattoo
269:remove
232:for a
230:Stella
83:3ALH14
501:wooed
303:Robin
1041:IMDb
921:2014
485:and
353:and
316:Lily
305:and
271:his
263:Plot
251:and
234:date
213:and
156:Next
1039:at
970:IGN
749:MTV
715:MTV
687:IGN
627:NME
464:IGN
387:Fox
325:not
223:Ted
207:CBS
199:of
45:no.
1319::
1004:.
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984:^
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956:^
938:.
914:E!
912:.
884:.
858:.
846:^
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768:^
747:.
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