The troubled performer makes a good impression with critics.

Finally, good news for BRITNEY SPEARS!

Her turn as a goofy secretary on Monday night's "How I Met Your Mother" paid off in favorable reviews from critics.

"She did pretty good," CHARNA HALPERN, artistic director of Chicago's Improv Olympic Comedy Club, tells Usmagazine.com. "There was a sweetness to her, a vulnerability."

Charna, who has trained comedic actresses such as TINA FEY, said Britney "looked beautiful and had screen presence. Even when she was behind the desk and they made her look kind of homely, she was adorable."

Idol Camp Director DEAN CUDWORTH agrees, saying her comedic timing "was good at some parts, especially in some of her reactions. She was listening to the other characters and played off their performances with ease."