tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post5925826231281723..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: How I Met Your Mother, "The Playbook": Smeet Sme at SmacLaren'sAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-52359748705606892912009-11-21T16:50:44.234-05:002009-11-21T16:50:44.234-05:00I couldn't agree more with your review. As hil...I couldn't agree more with your review. As hilarious as this episode was, I hated that we suddenly forgot any kind of character development on Barney's part, and just suddenly went back to season 1-3 Barney. <br /><br />Can I also just add, this whole season has been way to Barney-centric. Not that I don't love him, but can we please remember that the show is called, "How I Met Your Mother," and not "How Barney Nailed some Dumb Chick in a Bar"? Ted has become a total side character in his own show this season. I really hope they can get the focus back to Ted soon!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-90124200082753866542009-11-19T13:56:10.518-05:002009-11-19T13:56:10.518-05:00dez quoted...
they passed on it and went with...<i>dez quoted...</i><br /><br /> they passed on it and went with the bastard-coated bastard with bastard filling<br /><br />and said<br /><i> Hi, Dr. Cox! :-)<br /></i><br /><br />this made me laugh because a previous post mentioning ability to relate to a character in a sitcom, made me think: I relate to JD.<br /><br />I guess I don't watch a lot of sitcoms.<br />(Scrubs, TBBT, HIMYM, 30 Rock. Did I miss any? Community & Cougartown are Jay's fault and won't be watched till her gets here to watch them. also, the rest of season 1 of Better Off Ted. Could be good but I fell asleep mid-ep 2. Side thought - mid-season replacements have to compete with exhaustion due to spring allergies. hmmm... Someone tell Neilson (however it's spelled))Pamela Jayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06135379188588301400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-38592798613746570322009-11-19T10:01:52.541-05:002009-11-19T10:01:52.541-05:00To the people who didn't catch the Doogie Hows...To the people who didn't catch the Doogie Howser reference : The article about Lorenzo Von Matterhorn's penis reduction surgery came with a picture of him with the stethoscope around his neck, just like one of the newspaper clippings you saw in the opening credits of Doogie Hower, M.D.<br /><br />Our Doogie's all grown up !!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6308943968782377462009-11-18T17:01:21.703-05:002009-11-18T17:01:21.703-05:00Wasn't Claire (the girl they told the whole s...Wasn't Claire (the girl they told the whole story to and who left with Barney at the end) one of the students in the econ class Ted lectured to by mistake?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-43656679928204512492009-11-18T15:04:06.804-05:002009-11-18T15:04:06.804-05:00I thought this episode was pretty funny, but I was...I thought this episode was pretty funny, but I was very distracted be the laugh track. Has it always been so obvious?janahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02712544662159511512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-75981314231814824592009-11-18T09:12:37.253-05:002009-11-18T09:12:37.253-05:00Strike two. last week was the first strike. One ...Strike two. last week was the first strike. One more crappy ep and I am outta hre. Life is too short to waste on a great TV show turned crap.<br /><br />BTW, i can't believe I am saying this, but BBT has been O MUCH MORE consistent this season. Yes, it isn't as smug and faux-showoffy as HIMYM, but at least it knows what ist is (a more traditional sitcom) and can do a lot with very little story. Those HIMYM guys should take note of thatJThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02756759334031896854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-43721541812271359702009-11-17T21:30:03.130-05:002009-11-17T21:30:03.130-05:00@alex s.
Minor quibble: Ted spent an entire year (...@alex s.<br /><i>Minor quibble: Ted spent an entire year (season, whatever) after he broke up with Robin in "not looking for The One" mode and didn't find her, so Ted and Marshall's point was a little off[...].</i><br /><br />Ted was through looking for the one, but wasn't through dating. Robin was swearing off dating altogether.<br /><br />And it was only a half season; in the spring he dated Stella, who was nearly the one.afogliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02820361829972093800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-70758352313742078102009-11-17T21:25:05.454-05:002009-11-17T21:25:05.454-05:00Viewed in isolation, the episode is quite funny, h...Viewed in isolation, the episode is quite funny, however, unless this is a sign of Barney overcompensating, it feels like the writers have artificially regressed Barney so that he could be the joke, and an easy one at that. There had better be more depth to this, or else this show is now basically Two and a Half without the kid.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317568565085893849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-60418061449404020502009-11-17T20:52:08.084-05:002009-11-17T20:52:08.084-05:00Alan wrote:
as both Lily and James Poniewozik have...Alan wrote:<br /><i>as both Lily and James Poniewozik have pointed out, the show has established that Barney is a real boy with real emotions, who's capable of being in something vaguely resembling a healthy adult relationship, and that's a bell that can't be so easily unrung (or unrung at all).</i><br /><br />It's also frustrating because Neil Patrick Harris is a bloody good actor who can do Man-Slut Barney in his sleep, and do it well when it would otherwise be tiresome and unfunny in the hands of most other actors.<br /><br />But it's like sleazy Wollowitz in <i>Big Bang Theory</i> -- sleazy Barney is a card you don't want to over-play, because it can end up as being something you laugh at (in an uncomfortable, embarrassed way) instead of laugh with.Craig Ranapiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923246310584658857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-75935489724315913762009-11-17T19:26:45.582-05:002009-11-17T19:26:45.582-05:00I agree with Alan and everyone else who's feel...I agree with Alan and everyone else who's feeling kinda bummed at Old Barney Return despite everything.<br /><br />I think they kind of hopped all over the map in how they treated the Brobin courtship. Some episodes, such as "Dual Citizenship," were freaking perfect as to how these two would behave in a relationship. Other episodes were kind of iffy, but I thought it was realistic to deal with them as a Couple (i.e. Marshall and Lily wanting couple friends). But the last one suddenly drove the whole thing into the ground very fast, and I suspect the producers of the show just want to ditch this plot entirely. I'd be happier if I felt like they might revisit it someday, but right now I somewhat suspect they aren't going to. It does hamper their ability to do Barney scam jokes, after all.<br /><br />Really, the issue with Brobin is that they shouldn't be trying to fit into the Traditional Couples Behavior Box. Marshall and Lily take to it like ducks to water, but these two need to do their own thing. I appreciate the show indicating this, but darn it, I want a rematch, with a Robin who doesn't make Barney throw out his porn and a Barney who can still stay slim and go out and have a good time while still with someone. <br /><br />I do wonder if the next episode is going to show Barney being secretly heartbroken that Robin found a new regular boyfriend like, yesterday, though.jenmoonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02647726303564119010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-57886358635379854132009-11-17T18:51:09.600-05:002009-11-17T18:51:09.600-05:00Keep in mind how Barney became the Legend...wait f...Keep in mind how Barney became the Legend...wait for it...ary Barney. The result of a bad breakup with someone he really cared about.Tom Gallowaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-30768152885830398932009-11-17T17:40:21.833-05:002009-11-17T17:40:21.833-05:00I felt the same way as you, Alan. And I too missed...I felt the same way as you, Alan. And I too missed the Doogie Howser reference, WTF?Whiskeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-3396075687096464482009-11-17T17:09:15.639-05:002009-11-17T17:09:15.639-05:00I really thought The Scuba Diver was going to turn...I really thought The Scuba Diver was going to turn into a play for Robin, possibly jumping into "we can't date, let's get married". This would have tied up what the guys were saying about Robin as well as explaining Barney's entire Playbook prank.<br /><br />Minor quibble: Ted spent an entire year (season, whatever) after he broke up with Robin in "not looking for The One" mode and didn't find her, so Ted and Marshall's point was a little off (though I assume they (the characters) were more interested in teasing Robin than consistency).alex s.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-46986850880428946012009-11-17T16:24:56.513-05:002009-11-17T16:24:56.513-05:00Taken by itself, I thought this was the funniest e...Taken by itself, I thought this was the funniest episode this season, but I was annoyed the whole time I was watching it that they had changed Barney so much while he was in his relationship with Robin that he wasn't funny anymore then. I agree that they could have done more with that relationship, and I hate what they did do with it. I hope the posters who think Barney is hiding real feelings by overdoing his return to his old self are right, and I'd like to see them put Barney and Robin back in a relationship, but only if they can stay Barney and Robin next time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-33814977721164031252009-11-17T16:24:12.371-05:002009-11-17T16:24:12.371-05:00I just really don't want to see "The Play...I just really don't want to see "The Playbook" in my local bookstores soon... or I am going to swear to the gods of synergy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-54245444550299516152009-11-17T16:23:27.014-05:002009-11-17T16:23:27.014-05:00Like Lorrie, I saw this as Barney overcompensating...Like Lorrie, I saw this as Barney overcompensating and that he was more hurt than he realized by the breakup with Robin and he's engaging in hyper-Classic Barney behaviors to attempt to move on from this relationship. I don't really see this as post-relationship Barney simply returning to normal, but attempting to aggressively and consciously revert to his pre-Robin self.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16206260167586222129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-44955846452400237582009-11-17T15:59:59.333-05:002009-11-17T15:59:59.333-05:00I thought it was funny, but the sticking point for...I thought it was funny, but the sticking point for me was that there's no way this is the first time anyone else has heard of the playbook.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-73448844819283861742009-11-17T15:33:14.679-05:002009-11-17T15:33:14.679-05:00Well, it was funny. There's no denying that. ...Well, it was funny. There's no denying that. And I really did live for all of Barney's winks to the camera.<br /><br />But I didn't like that Robin was actually hurt by what was happening and Barney didn't seem to care. He has actually always been a pretty good friend to Robin and, while I know that post-breakup attitudes may vary from regular mileage, that seemed crueler than I want Barney to be. Or even than I expect him to be.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288100796201737845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-42295835573793574462009-11-17T15:19:22.847-05:002009-11-17T15:19:22.847-05:00About Don: My theory is that Don turns out to be t...About Don: My theory is that Don turns out to be the biggest mistake of Robin's life, so memorable he's actually known to the kids twenty years later.Aldennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-89863790976773511492009-11-17T14:54:26.346-05:002009-11-17T14:54:26.346-05:00I'm not saying it wasn't a funny episode, ...I'm not saying it wasn't a funny episode, cause it was. Far from HIMYM's best, but still funny.<br /> <br />However, Barney's shenanigans felt very forced, almost like he was playing himself instead of being himself, especially after the (very brief) honest emotional moment between Barney and Robin at the bar ("We just broke up"). The question is whether the writers intended me to see Barney's actions that way, or whether I'm seeing what I want to see. I admit I'm a romantic, but it's not like I'm only watching for Barney/Robin. I watch for all the characters (where the hell is Ted's storyline?). But if this is really the end for B/R, it's a bit of a letdown.<br /> <br />I saw The Scuba Diver coming from a mile away, as did most veteran TV viewers, I'm supposing.Lorriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16799438375116101818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-8614185046706714322009-11-17T14:40:23.623-05:002009-11-17T14:40:23.623-05:00I would like to add that this episode featured sch...I would like to add that this episode featured scheming, devious Lily (and I think she's awesome), particularly because I love watching NPH and Alyson Hannigan interact. <br /><br />My only hope for Barn-man and Robin is that the writers don't get them back together, break them up, lather, rinse, repeat. If they're done, let them stay done. But while I thought they were a great pair, I personally never saw any long-term potential.femmeperduenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-28793151700644030702009-11-17T14:17:50.467-05:002009-11-17T14:17:50.467-05:00The "Lorenzo Von Matterhorn is NOT a Jerk&quo...The "Lorenzo Von Matterhorn is NOT a Jerk" site was, according to the shows version of Google, posted onto the "Ted Mosby is a Jerk" site.<br /><br />I think we should hold off on saying that they have regressed Barney here. I totally buy that he would throw himself whole-hog into his old life. We will see how that plays out and if he is able to garner the same enthusiasm for one night stands as he once had. Remember when Marshall was single and Barney constantly stole chicks from him? We thought it was Barney being Barney, but eventually found out it was him trying to keep Marshall from spoiling what he had with Lily, even though she had left him. He has hidden depths, and I think the writers have recognized that pretty well.Andrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-28298685710723249972009-11-17T13:31:49.545-05:002009-11-17T13:31:49.545-05:00mmjoan, I've suspected for a while now that Te...mmjoan, I've suspected for a while now that Ted's "I'm gonna win her back" from "Three Days of Snow" was in reference to Robin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-83757897923707142062009-11-17T12:58:15.472-05:002009-11-17T12:58:15.472-05:00I cackled like a loon every time NPH winked. Ever...I cackled like a loon every time NPH winked. Every single time. <br /><br />I think this was Barney's way of working through the breakup. We always knew he had a third dimension even before Robin so I think it is okay.srpadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-3189669683632696712009-11-17T12:47:24.977-05:002009-11-17T12:47:24.977-05:00How do you people not realize how this is going to...How do you people not realize how this is going to play out? Robin is going to date Don and get engaged and Barney will confess his love for Robyn at the Alter. Or something to that effect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com