I find one of the better new television shows of the season to be How I Met Your Mother on CBS (Monday nights at 8:30). The plot revolves around Ted (Josh Radner), a twenty seven year old, who finds himself worn down by the dating scene and ready to find the woman of his dreams. Bob Saget provides narration as Ted from the year 2030 as he relays to his son and daughter what events led to the meeting of their yet to be identified mother. Jason Segel (Freaks and Geeks) and Alison Hannigan (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, American Pie) play Ted’s recently engaged friends who assist him in his quest while Neil Patrick Harris (the artist formerly known as Doogie Howser) portrays their hilarious friend Barney whose obnoxious antics channel the television spirits of Steve Sanders and Michael Mancini. Being in the same age range of the characters, I find the nostalgia humor to be right up my alley and I support this claim by asking is there really ever a bad time to use a “Sloth loves Chunk” joke? Check it out and I guarantee a few laughs.
I enjoy the setup for this sitcom because it transcends the stereotypical Dumb Dad (footnote to Bethany for the joke) genre where incredibly dorky and massively overweight men somehow find themselves married to beautiful woman willing to put up with such antics as spending the grocery money at the racetrack. The premise relates to a characteristic that is part of every single relationship out there as everyone had that first look, the first sense of attraction, and the first date. Whether it lasts one month, one year, or a lifetime every couple had a point where they were together for two weeks and their friends all gossip about whether they think the personalities will be a fit for each other. All couples have their story and while you hear a great deal about the dating scene, the experiences of most my friends seem to occur in circumstances when you least expect it. I’ve had blizzards, theme parties, chance encounters, and saline solution all contribute to the development of a wedding.
For Bethany and myself, the 411 goes a little something like this. Old friend and roommate Nick had met his current fiancé, Katie, at a party we attended in April 2001. On Sunday, May 20th my brother, Chris would be graduating from Providence College and the night before Katie and her roommates(including Bethany) planned a margaritaville party. I figured I’d show up have a few drinks, keep it low key, and head out somewhere around midnight to prepare for the drive to Providence the following morning. Our first look occurred when Nick and I walked in the door holding a 6-foot tall inflatable palm tree and if my memory serves me correctly, Bethany stood just off to my left as we entered the Brighton apartment. After some introductions and a bite or two of her candy necklace, I moved on to do my own thing, but it very quickly became eleven o’clock and I assumed I would be leaving within the hour. At this point a group of people I had been speaking with unveiled a bottle of Captain Morgan and I realized the question wasn’t if, but when I would end up making myself a drink so I decided to get things out of the way. After making my way to the bar area (which I believe was the stovetop), I grabbed a cup and had tilted the bottle to the point where the rum began running down the neck when Bethany came around the corner and asked me to do a shot of tequila with her. After putting the Captain down, I explained my case of how I needed to leave soon and could only do one more drink, but she didn’t want to hear it. After some negotiating, I agreed to do the shot of Cuervo and I would say the rest is history….or for a select few sworn to secrecy. And in the year 2027 the name of that story will be “How I Met Your Mother”
I enjoy the setup for this sitcom because it transcends the stereotypical Dumb Dad (footnote to Bethany for the joke) genre where incredibly dorky and massively overweight men somehow find themselves married to beautiful woman willing to put up with such antics as spending the grocery money at the racetrack. The premise relates to a characteristic that is part of every single relationship out there as everyone had that first look, the first sense of attraction, and the first date. Whether it lasts one month, one year, or a lifetime every couple had a point where they were together for two weeks and their friends all gossip about whether they think the personalities will be a fit for each other. All couples have their story and while you hear a great deal about the dating scene, the experiences of most my friends seem to occur in circumstances when you least expect it. I’ve had blizzards, theme parties, chance encounters, and saline solution all contribute to the development of a wedding.
For Bethany and myself, the 411 goes a little something like this. Old friend and roommate Nick had met his current fiancé, Katie, at a party we attended in April 2001. On Sunday, May 20th my brother, Chris would be graduating from Providence College and the night before Katie and her roommates(including Bethany) planned a margaritaville party. I figured I’d show up have a few drinks, keep it low key, and head out somewhere around midnight to prepare for the drive to Providence the following morning. Our first look occurred when Nick and I walked in the door holding a 6-foot tall inflatable palm tree and if my memory serves me correctly, Bethany stood just off to my left as we entered the Brighton apartment. After some introductions and a bite or two of her candy necklace, I moved on to do my own thing, but it very quickly became eleven o’clock and I assumed I would be leaving within the hour. At this point a group of people I had been speaking with unveiled a bottle of Captain Morgan and I realized the question wasn’t if, but when I would end up making myself a drink so I decided to get things out of the way. After making my way to the bar area (which I believe was the stovetop), I grabbed a cup and had tilted the bottle to the point where the rum began running down the neck when Bethany came around the corner and asked me to do a shot of tequila with her. After putting the Captain down, I explained my case of how I needed to leave soon and could only do one more drink, but she didn’t want to hear it. After some negotiating, I agreed to do the shot of Cuervo and I would say the rest is history….or for a select few sworn to secrecy. And in the year 2027 the name of that story will be “How I Met Your Mother”
1 comment:
I have to thank you Donny for turning me on to this show. A refreshing sitcom. I look forward to it every week and have encourages many others to check it out.
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