LOS ANGELES, March 31 — After nine seasons and 208 episodes, “How I Met Your Mother” takes its final bow today on CBS.
Although its ratings have never been through the roof, the sitcom has become a cultural phenomenon since 2005 and has even been compared with the ever-beloved “Friends”.
Taken on its own, the plot of “HIMYM” doesn’t seem like anything special. The show focuses on the romantic and sentimental life of Ted Mosby, a bachelor living in New York and surrounded by a tight-knit group of friends.
But the expertise of creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas made all the difference, as the pair succeeded in developing a show that stands out from the rest.
Here, we take a look at five reasons behind the show’s popularity and the diehard nature of its fans.
Flashback-based narrative
One of the most original aspects of “How I Met Your Mother”, the unique narrative structure, is without a doubt one of the ways it has managed to stay on the air for so long.
Part of the story takes place in 2030, when the protagonist Ted Mosby is telling his two children how he met their mother. The lengthy tale begins 25 years earlier, in 2005, when Ted was 27.
The sitcom’s multiple flashbacks add depth to the story and to the characters, who are shown at different stages of life. Over the years, viewers have watched as Lily, Marshall and Ted met at college, as Barney transformed from a hippie into a suited professional following a failed relationship, and as Robin enjoyed a stint as a teenage pop star in Canada.
Catch phrases
Over the course of its 208 episodes, “How I Met Your Mother” has developed a catalogue of signature phrases heard in almost every chapter of Ted Mosby’s story. Barney Stinson is the character behind several of these, including “Suit up”, “High five”, “Hi, have you met Ted?”, “Challenge accepted”, and “It’s gonna be legend... wait for it... dary. Legendary!”
“Awesome” is another expression often heard among the group of friends. Lily, meanwhile, has become known for her delivery of the phrase “You son of a bitch!” when provoked.
Anecdotes and side plots
In nine seasons, the CBS comedy has depicted hundreds of different situations, giving rise to multiple anecdotes and tangents that may or may not be related to the main plot.
The goat and the pineapple that turn up without explanation in Ted’s apartment one morning, the clue of the yellow umbrella whose owner turns out to be the future mother, the “Slap bet” lost by Barney, meaning that Marshall has the right to give him five slaps at any time...
All of these quirky details are part of the unique HIMYM lore, known in and out by the show’s die-hard fans around the world.
Multiple theories and rules
The characters consistently adhere to certain rules and theories, many of which are arbitrary, throughout all 208 episodes, adding an additional layer to the show’s mythology.
Olive Theory, Ted’s mom’s principle that “Nothing good happens after 2am”, the Three-Day Rule (wait three days after a date before calling a woman), the Platinum Rule and the Cheerleader Effect are just some of the theories the show’s fans know so well.
Barney Stinson, the real star
A significant portion of the catch phrases, anecdotes, rules and theories that have contributed to the show’s reputation come from Barney Stinson, the slick womaniser in a suit. Played by Neil Patrick Harris, Barney is the sitcom’s true star, and perhaps the main reason for its popularity and its presence at prestigious TV awards ceremonies.
The character’s Bro Code, which governs friendship among men, and his Playbook, an anthology of schemes to getting one’s way with a woman, make him without a doubt the most colorful, fun, politically incorrect and unpredictable character in the bunch. In light of this, it’s no surprise that Barney’s wedding will take place during the show’s final episode. — AFP/Relaxnews
