How I Met Your Mother: Barney is legendary – Guest Clack

by Debbie McDuffee

Barney How I Met Your Mother

Aryeh S. is back guest clacking for us again this week ….

First of all, I’d just like to say that How I Met Your Mother is one of the best shows on television today. Granted, the premise has gotten lost (no complaints from me) and the relationship between Lily and Marshall makes no sense (I can’t stand Alyson Hannigan, and Jason Segel returned from this past hiatus thinking he was better than the show). But Mother is hands down one of the funniest shows out there right now. And no, I’m not taking what I can get; if it was going head-to-head with Seinfeld and Everybody Loves Raymond (I realize that’s not possible, but go with me on this one), I’d honor the latter two with TiVo and resort to my bedroom VCR for Seinfeld.

Now, to my point. How great is Neil Patrick Harris’ Barney Stinson? Let me count the ways (in no particular order):

This is Doogie Howser, MD! What would Wanda think?
A March Madness-type tournament of 64 to determine which former conquest was stalking him, and he still missed the right person?
“… wait for it …”
I own a copy of The Bro Code.
One-Man worst show in history
“Dear Resident” one-nighter letter
Guilt-shopping at the Sky Mall
Thinking Bob Barker was his father and then appearing on The Price is Right
Slapsgiving participant (even on the receiving end)
Suit Up!
Did you know he played Mark Cohen in Rent during a run in California? (NPH, not Barney)
Completing the New York City Marathon with no training, riding the subway for the first time, losing the ability to walk and getting mugged for his medal
“Have you met Ted?”
He volunteers at a homeless shelter??? Who knew?
He does magic! And he’s awesome.
The Swarley
Kudos for his persistence hunting down the Robin Sparkles videos.
Everything about the “Slap Bet” episode
The Chain of Screaming
“True Story”

And while I think that these things (and more) about Barney play a significant role in the quality of the show, I firmly believe that they do not the show make. How I Met Your Mother is one of a handful of shows that are still upholding the quality of television comedy that we have such a hard time locating today. Barney is just one of many reasons to laugh.