Though I have to admit that I'm a late bloomer, I adore How I Met Your Mother. This is how I want to be when I am in my late-twenties. (And I realize only one of the actors is actually in his late twenties. The rest are either mid twenties or mid thirties. I think this is why it's so awesome. Technically they should be playing high school seniors. That is with the exception of the twenty something. She should be in middle school.) I like that there is no such thing as too much use of the word awesome. I love elaborate high fives. I love use of the word legendary. Most importantly, I care about these characters. I root for the waaaayyyy too comfortable couple. The nice guy should get the girl. And the womanizing ass, well, I'm an American, so we embrace these men lovingly. But he's quick and funny so rock on!
I must take this time now to explain my theory as to why Barney is so awesome. It can't be just the suits. Though it does account for a lot, don't get me wrong. No, Barney has a certain charm about him that I have deciphered. He is a combination of two tried and tested characters. Beloved sarcastic Chandler Bing and and The Todd (Does this character have a real name? According to imdb he's Todd Quinlan. But he's The Todd!) Think about it. Barney: sarcastic, witty, works at a well paying job, but sidesteps the question of what the hell do you do? Could he be any more Chandler? He doesn't do that so that's a good thing. Barney: All about the ladies, looks and is creative with high fives. The Todd takes a slap to the face as a face five! The defense rests your honor!
Miss Chanalder Bong +
"Tis better to have loved and lost then to have never loved at all" Five =
Awesomeness in concentrated form
Oh, wait I forgot. The combo-character argument is part one of Barney's awesomeness. Part two is NPH himself. That's right. NPH is awesome in ways I cannot really explain. He brings to Barney what no writer can concoct after being threatened with unemployment or a bottle of tequila. Bless you Neil Patrick Harris for not giving up after so many canceled TV shows and strange movie roles. Thank you for you part in the awesomeness that was Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. I salute you NPH. My hand goes up to you! Salute five!
And now for my final thought. An honorable mention has to go to Bob Saget. It takes guts to pull yourself up from your sorted Full House past. I didn't believe that you directed Dirty Work. I was confused, but then delighted with your cameo on Entourage. The show that proves self-parody is the way to people's hearts (you ROCK Ralph Macchio!) Then on Law and Order SVU, we all knew the second you were on screen you did it. But then a beautiful thing happened. Danny Tanner died. And we were able to embrace the voice of older Ted Mosbey. You know what we all want to know. Tell your story! I will be listening without the fear of an Olsen twin showing up at any second.
