Behind-the-scenes revelations about "How I Met Your Mother" alter the show's perceived context, as uncovered by 35 intriguing facts.
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In the nine-season run of How I Met Your Mother, the hit sitcom that captivated audiences worldwide, many fascinating stories unfolded both on and off-screen. Here are some intriguing tidbits about the show that you might not have known.
Cast Connections
The show's creators, Craig Thomas and Carter Bays, took the concept of casting spouses in minor roles to a whole new level. Cobie Smulders' husband, Taran Killam, portrayed Barney's coworker Gary Blauman, while Neil Patrick Harris's husband, David Burtka, made an appearance as Lily's high school boyfriend, Scooter.
However, it seems that only two main cast members' spouses appeared in the show in minor roles, as no other spouse was explicitly mentioned in the provided information.
Character Origins
The characters of Ted, Marshall, and Lily were based on the lives of the show's creators, Craig and Carter, and their respective wives, Rebecca. Barney, on the other hand, was Neil Patrick Harris's idea.
The Mother's Identity
The controversial ending, which left many fans divided, was the creators' plan from the very beginning and was never altered. If the series had been canceled earlier, the mother would have been Victoria, the baker Ted dated in Season 1.
Iconic Moments
The "slap bet" was inspired by a running gag between the show's creators, and Jason Segel actually hit Neil Patrick Harris in the face for real during the "Slapsgiving" episode. Alyson Hannigan, who played Lily, didn't enjoy kissing Jason Segel because he was a smoker.
Cameos and Rejections
Britney Spears's guest appearance helped "save" the show, while Jim Parsons tried out for the role of Barney Stinson but was not a fit for the part. MacLaren's Pub, the show's main setting, was inspired by a real bar in New York City called McGee's Pub.
Character Evolution
Cobie Smulders revealed that Robin was not a Canadian character initially, but the creators decided to make her one because they found her exotic. Alyson Hannigan's second pregnancy was written into Season 6, with Lily being pregnant for the first time.
Creative Decisions
The character Robin Sparkles was inspired by Alanis Morissette and Cobie Smulders' ability to sing and dance. Barney's catchphrase "Legen...wait for it...dary" was almost struck because the showrunners initially didn't want him to have a catchphrase. Carter Bays, one of the show's creators, chose not to read Lily's dialogue before the scene where her father dies, to make Marshall's shock feel more real.
The Twist Ending
Josh Radnor was aware of the twist ending early on and talked to the creators about a scene that was cut from the finale. David Henrie and Lyndsy Fonseca, who played Ted's kids, shot their final scene eight years before the series ended. Cristin Milioti, who played the mother, didn't know she was auditioning for that role and was worried the production was a red herring.
Robin and Barney's Relationship
Cobie Smulders and Neil Patrick Harris agreed that Barney liking the chick that Ted wants was an interesting and comical pairing.
In conclusion, How I Met Your Mother was not just a show—it was a tapestry of interconnected stories and creative decisions that brought it to life. From casting spouses in minor roles to basing characters on the creators' lives, the show's behind-the-scenes moments are as captivating as the episodes themselves.
[1] Information obtained from a search of the provided data.
- Evergreen conversations about How I Met Your Mother often touch upon theknotty web of connections between the show's cast, such as Neil Patrick Harris's husband, David Burtka, briefly appearing as Lily's high school boyfriend, and Cobie Smulders' husband, Taran Killam, portraying Barney's coworker.
- When it comes to modern entertainment icons, the characters and stories of How I Met Your Mother have etched their mark in pop-culture, with showstopping moments like the "slap bet" and Robin Sparkles' memorable performances standing out among Netflix viewings and television show discussions.
- The evolution of the characters' lifestyles over the nine seasons of How I Met Your Mother captivated audiences worldwide, with intriguing choices like Cobie Smulders' Canadian character Robin and Alyson Hannigan's pregnancy being written into Lily's storyline that added depth to the evergreen tales of the sitcom.
