Alan Sepinwall, TV critic and blogger for the Newark Star-Ledger, moderated a discussion with the cast and producers of "How I Met Your Mother" earlier this week. The talk turned out to be loaded with information for the show's fans, including those who comb every episode for clues to the identity of the "mother." (After all, it's the only worthwhile mystery left on TV now that "Lost" showed us who was in that damn casket.)
The discussion took place at McGee's in New York City, which inspired the bar where the surprisingly well-employed "HIMYM" gang gets soused every night. The only one missing was Jason Segel (who was undoubtedly off filming some billion-dollar-grossing Judd Apatow sex romp). Here are a few of the highlights:
-- There's no "master plan" binding all the carefully interconnected "HIMYM" plot lines together. But the producers do know what will happen in the final episode -- a date for which has not been set.
-- "Future Ted" is telling this entire story to his son and daughter over the course of a single day. And while all these scenes with the kids have already been filmed (to catch the young actors before they aged), eventually we'll hear some dialogue from them that could reveal the show's major secrets.
-- Stella (Sarah Chalke) may or may not be back next year -- which means she still may or may not be Ted's future wife.
-- Barney and Robin were never intended to become a couple. . . but the writers started contemplating the idea when they saw the characters' obvious chemistry with each other. Now that the two have slept together and Barney appears smitten, the producers assured everyone that Barney will remain a womanizing lech at heart, and Robin will remain Canadian.
-- The writers have contemplated giving Marshall and Lily kids, despite the fact that babies are acknowledged show-killers.
-- Neil Patrick Harris didn't mind doing the gag where Barney turns into Doogie Howser at the end of one episode. Referring to his child stardom, he said, "People always think they have to walk on eggshells about it, like I'm going to punch them in the face."
-- Josh ("Ted") Radnor said that former "Full House" star Bob Saget, who voices his future self, has often suggested they go out for drinks. . . but he's afraid he'll end up hearing dirty jokes about the Olsen twins.
You can read the rest here.
And, because we just know you want to see it one more time, here's the original Robin Sparkles video:
Photo: CBS