The sitcoms I’ve reviewed so far from last night both had strong casts, workable concepts, and potential that may yet be fulfilled.
In contrast, How I Met Your Mother had a strong cast, workable concept, and was firing on all cylinders from the get-go. This is a romance comedy set in present day, told as flashbacks from the future, about a single young man who realizes he is ready for marriage.
Like the rest of the night’s shows, the lead is someone relatively unknown to me, but he acquits himself well as a charming guy who could stand to visit the wizard for some confidence. His supporting cast of friends is far better known, and they do a wonderful job. Neil “Doogie” Patrick “Howser” Harris plays the lecherous wingman in the blunt, intelligent, master-of-the-world delivery that has served him well in recent years. Alyson Hannigan and Jason Segel exude sheer likable enthusiasm in their role as the couple-friends, bringing the light of romance into it. And Cobie Smulders (I love paying attention to credits just to see names that I would never invent) exudes charm and beauty as the object of our lead’s affection… and the lead somehow manages to avoid making that attraction seem unearned. Unlike so many shows and movie where the pretty girl falls for the goofy guy despite all apparent unlikelihood, this works here.
Look, I’m better at explaining why something doesn’t work than why something does. Something works because it works. This works. This is my first “yes, watch this!” review of the season. I hope it won’t be my last, but at the very least, here it is.
