By name, I had never heard of this series before. So when it became POW, I just ignored it and wasn’t until I went to my sisters, and found the series in her DVD collection. I thought I might as well give the series a viewing.

The Show

I don’t think it has been broadcast on UK TV for quite a while, at least, I haven’t seen a glance of an episode for a few years, but after watching the series, I noticed that I have seen a few episodes. Currently, it spans 4 seasons, of which 3 have been released to DVD. But here in the UK only 1 is available, which you can get for about £13.99 from www.hmv.co.uk.

The format of the programme, is set in 2030, when Ted Mosby is telling his two children the story of how he met their mother, and is then set in the past, in the year 2005 onwards.

There was only one actor I recognized from the series, and that was Lily, who was played by Alyson Hannigan, who I knew from playing Michelle in American Pie and Willow in Buffy! The rest, while having appeared in various things I did not know.

I am quite a generally a fan of American Sitcoms, well, mainly Scrubs and Friends so was reasonably interested to watch it, however, I knew that their strange sense of humour can be a bit shit..

Season One

We open, with 52 year old Ted, sat behind the camera, with his daughter and son, preparing to tell them the tale of how he met their mother. And flash back to 27 year old Ted in 2005 with his best friend Marshall, who is preparing to propose to his girlfriend, Lily. He then rings his other best friend, Barney, the womanizing, suit wearing cocky guy.

The series then progresses, telling the tales of Ted meeting various women, all of which you gradually find out are not their mum. One of these women, Robin, becomes a main character.

This season comprises of 22 episodes, which all last around the twenty minute mark, and the main plot behind the whole season, is Ted lust for Robin.

Is it actually any Good?

I was immediately disappointed when I watched the first episode, and realised that they were clearly rather fond of canned laughter, and used it at all the times the average American would find funny.

Ted - “ Kids, I’m going to tell you an incredible story. The story of how I met your Mother”
Son – “Are we being punished for something?”
CANNED LAUGHTER ATTACK

Now, that really isn’t funny. OK, maybe if delivered slightly better by the son then it could have raised a meagre chuckle, but it didn’t merit anything here, and I guessed that this was going to comprise of some real crap “jokes”.

Luckily however, it did manage to mix in these crap pieces, with some bits which were genuinely funny. Most of the series, I watched with my friend last night, whilst enjoying some of that new Magners Pear Cider, and we discussed the programme throughout. We both agreed that there was far too many lines that were really predictable, and it wasn’t just the odd line here and there, it was several per episode, and sometimes, it was even the whole basis of the episode which you could guess. So obviously this took some enjoyment away.

In general, the acting wasn’t too bad, it certainly wasn’t terrible, but there isn’t anything grand to write home about. All the actors were established, and I do not think that any performances were better than any others. It was just average.

The actual settings were quite good, and the programme was mainly set in either the Flat or the local bar, but it varied with airports, prisons, hospitals and more, there are quite a few scenes in taxis, which are done less convincingly than most. It is really obvious that they are just in a set, and the green screen background is shit. Also, most of the time, the driver tends to be turning the steering wheel too much. Maybe that’s just me being a tad too picky…

There are some really good parts, in one seen, where Ted and Marshall are arguing over who gets the flat when they are trying to decide who is getting the flat after Lily and Marshall marry. The argument turns into a sword fight, which both of them deeply enjoy, it is very well acted and really made me and my friend laugh. It was a bit abstract which was awesome.

One thing I did notice was some similarities to Friends and Scrubs, mainly in the character of Barney. He quite often high-fives people, and has a womanising, sex-obsessed personality, just like, Todd from Scrubs…

I know there was something else too, but I think in the process of watching these whilst drinking, it may have slipped forever from my mind.

To summarise, I do recommend this, it is definitely worth watching. It contains the basic elements of a sitcom, and the writers did a rather good job. However, it isn’t something I would buy, much preferring to opt for a dose of Scrubs. So don’t rush out and buy it right now, if it’s ever on TV again, and you have the time, watch it. If not, it isn’t like your life will be any worse off.

In the UK, it doesn’t appear to have been that popular, hence the latter seasons not being broadcast or released on DVD here. That would be, most likely due to the stupid American humour which infects a number of episodes.

DVD Bonus Material

Nothing that is going to snatch the deal…

There is the average old Audio Commentary, which is never that interesting unless you are a die hard fan, or doing Media or something. Then there is a series of outtakes, which are OK, but you watch them once, you won’t bother watching them again. There is a clip montage and a video feature which I haven’t actually watched yet, so can’t comment, but I shouldn’t think that if I had, I would rush to HMV and buy my own copy.