I checked this show out because my friend Jonny told me to. I wasn't really expecting much, just common sitcom cheese. I was however, pleasantly surprised at what I saw. The concept was interesting, the characters were appealing, and the jokes were all around funny. I've seen most of it by now, and while it has its problems just like every other show on TV, I think it's great.
For one, the concept of making the show a sitcom may have been what drew me away. There have been some great sitcoms in the past (none of which I've actually watched, I'm just going by what I've heard), but there's no denying that there's been a noticeable drop in quality in recent years. I can only name a few good ones going on at the moment that don't operate solely on overused cliches, groan-inducing jokes, and characters that irritate me, and How I Met Your Mother is one of them.
One of the main reasons that it stands apart from other shows is all of the continuity. This, of course, stems from its unique concept of being told twenty five years before the start of the series' events. All of the continuity gives it a feeling of reality, despite other smaller details that don't, such as life-changing obstacles becoming minor plot points. I also like the show's characters. A good show always contains likable characters, and while the fan base is divided about some, namely Lily and Barney, I happen to like them all. I like that they have defining personality traits without being exaggerated to the point where they are reminiscent of cartoon characters, except for probably Barney, and yet Neil Patrick Harris is still one of the show's main attractions in my opinion (along with Jason Segel of course). I think my favorite character might be Ted, because he's a Nice Guy, The Woobie, a Butt Monkey, and The Determinator all in one character, and the show does a good job to equally balance out those characteristics.
The biggest complaint to date is that the show has overstayed its welcome and that Ted is just rambling to his kids at this point, and I know the show has to end eventually, but I'm happy with its length, because it has stayed consistently funny throughout, and it's one of those shows that you don't want to end, but you can't wait for the Grand Finale (which you know there's gonna be one).
Not What I Was Expecting
I checked this show out because my friend Jonny told me to. I wasn't really expecting much, just common sitcom cheese. I was however, pleasantly surprised at what I saw. The concept was interesting, the characters were appealing, and the jokes were all around funny. I've seen most of it by now, and while it has its problems just like every other show on TV, I think it's great.
For one, the concept of making the show a sitcom may have been what drew me away. There have been some great sitcoms in the past (none of which I've actually watched, I'm just going by what I've heard), but there's no denying that there's been a noticeable drop in quality in recent years. I can only name a few good ones going on at the moment that don't operate solely on overused cliches, groan-inducing jokes, and characters that irritate me, and How I Met Your Mother is one of them.
One of the main reasons that it stands apart from other shows is all of the continuity. This, of course, stems from its unique concept of being told twenty five years before the start of the series' events. All of the continuity gives it a feeling of reality, despite other smaller details that don't, such as life-changing obstacles becoming minor plot points. I also like the show's characters. A good show always contains likable characters, and while the fan base is divided about some, namely Lily and Barney, I happen to like them all. I like that they have defining personality traits without being exaggerated to the point where they are reminiscent of cartoon characters, except for probably Barney, and yet Neil Patrick Harris is still one of the show's main attractions in my opinion (along with Jason Segel of course). I think my favorite character might be Ted, because he's a Nice Guy, The Woobie, a Butt Monkey, and The Determinator all in one character, and the show does a good job to equally balance out those characteristics.
The biggest complaint to date is that the show has overstayed its welcome and that Ted is just rambling to his kids at this point, and I know the show has to end eventually, but I'm happy with its length, because it has stayed consistently funny throughout, and it's one of those shows that you don't want to end, but you can't wait for the Grand Finale (which you know there's gonna be one).