Neal Patrick Harris didn't slam Britney Spears. Honest.

"How I Met Your Mother" actor Neal Patrick Harris says that his comment about "stunt casting"was not a slam against Britney Spears.

No, really.

He had publicly expressed reservations about "stunt casting," which was interpreted as a smackdown for Spears' small role as a secretary smitten with the show's lead character, Ted Mosby.

"My words were misconstrued," he tells the Chicago Sun Times. "I think she was a huge get for us and it was amazing to work with her," he says. "We hope she will be coming back soon."

Rumors about Spears return "stunt" appearance on the show continue to swirl but, so far, no official word.

Photo: Neal Patrick Harris at the premiere of 'Harold and Kumar: Return to Guantanamo Bay."
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