A re-branded Britney Spears joined British comedian Russell Brand and an elephant in a series of comedy promos for the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards fueling older speculation she will perform on the show.

The troubled pop singer "looked really good" in a body-hugging black dress as she performed a question-and-answer session with the little-known funnyman calling him "Russell Brown" referring to the fact the British comedian isn’t very popular in the States.

"Britney looked really good," a source told People.com. "It was improvisational questions and answers with [host] Russell Brand just like [other promo guest stars] LL Cool J and Pete Wentz did. Russell joked about there being sexual tension, and Britney shot back, 'I don't feel the tension'. The other joke was about no one knowing who Russell was so she called him by the wrong name. LL called him Russell Bland and Britney called him Russell Brown."

In addition to Britney and Russell, the clip also features a giant elephant literally in the room with them, used as a reminder for the singer's disastrous performance last year.  The phrase 'The elephant in the room" is usually used when someone pointedly ignores an embarrassing personal fact about their companion.

Britney Spears’ much talked-about comeback at the MTV Video Music Awards show last year has left viewers confused, frustrated and displeased. While on stage at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Britney did not appear to be well. Dressed in sequined black underpants and bra, uncomfortable-looking black boots, somewhat disheveled, in pretty good physical shape, she seemed to have difficulties following her own backing track.

She moved around the stage, did some unsynchronized lip-synching and generally looked confused. Comedienne Sarah Silverman was probably the first to publicly criticize Britney after her failed performance. "She is amazing. She is 25 years old and has already accomplished everything she is going to accomplish in her life," Silverman mercilessly said last year.

Actor and comedian Russell Brand will be hosting this year's Video Music Awards, set to air live from Paramount Pictures Studios in Los Angeles on Sept. 7. He already told interviewers he is excited about the show, adding: "I'm planning to have lesbian kisses with Britney and Madonna individually. It's not going to be easy with my genitals, but God, I will try."

While MTV is keeping mum on whether Britney will perform, the singer, who has been nominated for best female and best pop video, is struggling to revive her career after her major downfall since getting divorced from Kevin Federline. Her erratic behavior including heavy partying which led to three stints in rehab, also caused Britney to lose the custody of her two children, Sean Preston and Jayden James. After a lengthy custody battle, Britney and her former hubby reached an agreement last month.
 
The singer raised her child support payments to Federline from $15,000 to $20,000 a month, and is allowed two visits and one overnight stay per week with her sons.

Career-wise, Britney is currently working on a follow-up album to last year's critically-acclaimed "Blackout", another sign that her condition is improving after almost two years of odd behavior. Her father was named her conservator earlier this year following a nervous breakdown, which landed her in a psychiatric ward.