So, after six seasons we still don't know who is the mother of Ted's kids, but now we do know that all will be revealed before the end of 'How I Met Your Mother' Season 8.

Creator and executive producer Craig Thomas told 'TV Guide' that the upcoming Season 7 will offer answers and even more changes for the 'HIMYM' gang. He also let slip that there will (probably) be only two more seasons left for the comedy.

"All of our contracts are up after [Season] 8," he said, "So we're preparing for that to possibly be the end. As long as we know that a year from now, that's fine. But if we don't, then that's a problem!"

He added that "We know exactly the ending minute or two of Season 7. It's going to take place in the future at that wedding day and we're going to end Season 7 there. It's going to be something! And we'll also end with a baby being born and then head into 8. And maybe there'll be more."

Thomas confirmed some juicy tidbits about Season 7 -- Robin gets a new love interest (played by Kal Penn), Marshall gets his dream job and a new boss (Martin Short) and Ted gets to be a hotshot architect.

He also revealed that Barney will get married -- "It's not the smoothest wedding day, but it's epic ... truly epic" -- and how the comedy will trace the path taken to the altar by the defiantly single Barney. "That's Season 7 -- how he gets to that church, puts on that tuxedo and ends up moments away from marrying somebody."

So will 'HIMYM' really end after Season 8? A lot at CBS is riding on what happens with the new Charlie Sheen-less 'Two and a Half Men.' Should the Ashton Kutcher version prove unpopular with audiences CBS may want to keep the ever-dependable 'HIMYM' on the air for an extra season or two while it develops a replacement.

CBS renewed 'HIMYM' for two additional seasons back in March and at the time Thomas's co-creator, Carter Bays hinted that they could be persuaded to continue beyond eight seasons if it felt right.

Bays told AOL TV's Maureen Ryan that "Right now we're contracted to go through Season 8, and at that point, there is every chance that that's the end of 'How I Met Your Mother.' If that's the case, then that's our end point."

But, he added, "we are open to doing this as long as we feel we have stories to tell, and, of equal importance, as long as people want to watch it. If it still feels exciting going into a Season 9, then we'll keep doing it."

'How I Met Your Mother' Season 7 premieres Monday Sept. 19, 8PM ET on CBS.

http://www.aoltv.com/2011/07/19/how-i-met-your-mother-creator-craig-thomas-says-season-8-will/

I wish I could remember the title of the episode, I was watching the other night on WGN, In the episode that Ted & Barney pretend to be out of towners to pick up women, in the opening when he is talking to his kids on the couch in the future he says...."You know kids when you go to New York and there is so much to see"

I thought wait a minute, he is always referring to the gang as Aunt Robin, Aunt Lily, Uncle Marshall, etc....and how they seem to still be together for life in the future......so why would he describe New York to his children?....the whole gang would then have to have left their precious NYC in the future, which seems highly unlikely. And Yes as a NJ resident I do get slightly offended...lol....of their constant disgust of the Garden State.

I love the series, but I think it ending after season 8 is a good idea, we are attached to these characters and I think by the time we find out who the mother is, we won't care or have the same emotional attachment.

He really should marry Robin and I am hoping she has some type of twin sister or something, so that would be the Aunt Robin he is always referring to....also I still maintain if he doesn't marry Robin (which is unlikely), why am I the only one who seems to think that this older man/father in his late 50's is explaining in great detail to his children how close he came to marrying "Aunt Robin" and all the other sexual conquests he had before, who really discusses this stuff with their kids? Usually kids don't even think about their own parents having sex, let alone all the people their share holidays with and consider them family.

Anyway, with 8 years of story telling, I think there will be alot of mistakes like the one I mentioned once we find out who he marries.

I know I am over thinking this...lol

Wow, I can't believe this show has lasted that long.

To each his own, but I caught a few episodes of it and I seriously never laughed once. Different strokes!

I wish I could remember the title of the episode, I was watching the other night on WGN, In the episode that Ted & Barney pretend to be out of towners to pick up women, in the opening when he is talking to his kids on the couch in the future he says...."You know kids when you go to New York and there is so much to see"

I thought wait a minute, he is always referring to the gang as Aunt Robin, Aunt Lily, Uncle Marshall, etc....and how they seem to still be together for life in the future......so why would he describe New York to his children?....the whole gang would then have to have left their precious NYC in the future, which seems highly unlikely. And Yes as a NJ resident I do get slightly offended...lol....of their constant disgust of the Garden State.

I love the series, but I think it ending after season 8 is a good idea, we are attached to these characters and I think by the time we find out who the mother is, we won't care or have the same emotional attachment.

He really should marry Robin and I am hoping she has some type of twin sister or something, so that would be the Aunt Robin he is always referring to....also I still maintain if he doesn't marry Robin (which is unlikely), why am I the only one who seems to think that this older man/father in his late 50's is explaining in great detail to his children how close he came to marrying "Aunt Robin" and all the other sexual conquests he had before, who really discusses this stuff with their kids? Usually kids don't even think about their own parents having sex, let alone all the people their share holidays with and consider them family.

Anyway, with 8 years of story telling, I think there will be alot of mistakes like the one I mentioned once we find out who he marries.

I know I am over thinking this...lol
Ha! @TeeVeeCloset - That's a great episode (even though he takes shots at NJ).

It's said to hear, but all good things must come to an end, and 8 years is a great run. Plus, this is one of those shows that will be in syndication for...ever...

At least we've got that.