September 19, 2005
Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on CBS.
Seasons 1-3 are available on DVD.
Framed by the narration of an older Ted Mosby as he talks to his children, How I Met Your Mother follows the romantic quest of younger Ted to find the woman of his dreams, the titular mother of his future children. He’s supported by his married best friend Marshall and his womanizing buddy Barney.
Although it’s become a pop-cultural touchstone, especially for the catchphrase-spouting Barney Stinson, How I Met Your Mother has often struggled in the ratings since its debut in 2005. Still, Mother has garnered a loyal following and is generally well-regarded by critics.
Josh Radnor as Ted Mosby
Jason Segel as Marshall Eriksen
Alyson Hannigan as Lily Aldrin
Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson
Cobie Smulders as Robin Scherbatsky
Bob Saget as the voice of Future Ted Mosby
How I Met Your Mother was created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays, who based the characters partially on themselves and their friends. Thomas and Bays’ band The Solids performs the show’s theme song. The pair serve as executive producers along with Pamela Fryman.
