View Full Version : “How I Met Your Mother” exits as the “old soul” of network sitcoms


TMC
03-29-2014, 01:34 AM
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/03/what-tv-will-lose-when-em-how-i-met-your-mother-em-goes-off-the-air/359788/

Compared to more recent comedies like “Modern Family,” “Girls” and “Louie,” "the multi-camera, laugh-tracked comedy of HIMYM often seemed like a throwback to the ‘Cheers’ era,” says Kevin Craft. "Or, even more specifically, it often seemed like a faster-paced version of ‘Friends.' The premise, after all, is awfully similar: Five young New Yorkers spend an inordinate amount of time in a neighborhood bar (rather than a neighborhood coffeehouse), enjoy sleeping with one another, and engage in various shenanigans as they navigate the space between adolescence and adulthood. The primary difference between the two shows is that while ‘Friends' usually attempted to suppress the cheesier aspects of its plot, ‘HIMYM' has always been unapologetically sentimental. From its title to its overarching narrative, ‘HIMYM' offered a schmaltzy celebration of a hapless romantic and the four friends who endlessly support him in his quest to find Mrs. Right.” PLUS: Ranking the Top 50 episodes (http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/03/28/how-i-met-your-mother-best-episodes/), ranking the 10 best episodes (http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/slap-bet-ten-sessions-more-the-10-best-how-i-met-your-mother-episodes-ever), “HIMYM” was a sitcom based on a philosophical principal (http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/tv-zone-1.811968/how-i-met-your-mother-wait-for-it-an-appreciation-1.7536320), the 10 most important things we learned from “HIMYM,” Josh Radnor on why “HIMYM” connected with younger generations (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2014/03/28/why-how-i-met-your-mother-connected-so-deeply-with-the-younger-generation/), director Pamela Fryman is the “real mother” (http://www.tvguide.com/News/HIMYM-Finale-Pamela-Fryman-1079790.aspx) after directing nearly every episode, the cast reveals their favorite swear words (http://www.vulture.com/2014/03/himym-inside-the-actors-studio.html), and Ashley Williams was The Mother backup (http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/entertainment2/57677391-223/victoria-met-season-plan.html.csp) plan.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#v2oPc1Y5zppxjQYc.99

Mr. Drucker
03-31-2014, 11:20 AM
Right from the get-go in 2005,I was certainly impressed by the originality of premise.As far as the "Friends" comparison goes,I think HIMYM did a much better job at avoiding sitcom clichés,which I feel "Friends" was chock full of.A great run by a wonderful ensemble cast.Kudos to all involved in its production...................