HIMYM by Mariana - Reviews - Your Texts - Your Stuff!

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About 600 words

On the TV Show "How I Met Your Mother" (HIMYM)
by Mariana (C1, 2014-15)

HIMYM is an American TV sitcom that was aired on CBS from September 2005 to March 2014. The main character is Ted Mosby, an architect who tells his children the story of the events that led him to meet their mother. In fact, every episode has an opening his scene with two teenagers, Ted's daughter and son, sitting on a couch watching TV in the year 2030. Their father is telling them stories with his group of friends.

The cast is Josh Radnor as Ted Mosby, the central character, Jason Segel as Marschall Eriksen, Ted's best friend -- a relationship often disrupted by Barney. Cobre Smulders performs Robin Scherbastsky, a Canadian news anchor and Ted's exgirlfriend. Robin emigrates from Canada to take a job in a news station and meets Ted setting him on his journey to find "The One". Neil Patrick Harn, performing as Barney Stinson, is a playboy who is only interested in sexual relationships with women and the holder of an unknown position at Goliath National Bank -- and Ted's "bro", too. Alyson Hannigan plays Lily Aldryn, a kindergarden teacher, an aspiring artist, and Marshall's wife (both are the adorable long-lasting couple). Cristin Milioti is Tracy McConnell, the future wife of Ted Mosby's, The Mother.

The show is set in several bars and taverns in Manhattan. There are at least three strong lines in each episode and they show diffrent kinds of relationships, mainly friendship and love. The theme song is a portion of "Gley Beautiful" but the solids of which [I don't understand this part] Carter Bays and Craig Thomas (show producers) are members. Episodes were generally shot over a three-day period in the Los Angeles-based soundstage studio 22. The laugh track was later created by recording a live audience.

HIMYM has become a cult show over the years. It is known for its eccentric humor based on a clever script. Is has won nine Emmy Awards. The show's most viewed episode was the series finale Last Forever watched by 13.13 million viewers.

One of the series' traditions involves giving guest roles to actors that are "huge fans", such as Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Kyle MacLanchlan. Another tradition involves the use of euphemisms for culturally sensitive issues. These include "eating a sandwich" for smoking marijuana, "thumbs up" for giving the middle finger as well as "playing the bagpipes" for loud, sex acts.

You have to be a regular viewer to enjoy the catchy strongline since it incorporates references to earlier seasons and episodes. The plot is somewhat monotonous but its central element of random hilarious situations is very strong and unique. The script is well written and interesting, it never bores you and it manages to make you laugh with simple ideas. The drama includes a romantic story that involves all characters. It has been said that it is a poor cloned version of "Friends" -- in fact some characters are similar (Ted Mosby - Ross) but HIMYM is funnier and more touching when it comes to adressing happiness and love. Boh Jason Segel and Alyson Hannigan play their roles incredible well, and whilst some may understandbly find Neil Patrick Harris' character annoying, he does perform well.

For years I was reticent to watch this show because I figured I wouldn't like it. Surprisingly, I was completely hooked from the first episode when I watched it in English. (I have to say in Spanish I did not find it interesting.) I would recommend it because it has/includes humor and some romance and it blends those to create a pleasant show.

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Listen to an episode of Everyday Language taken from this show at the Talking People Podcast