How I Met Your Mother

How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom (2005–2014) that follows Ted Mosby's long, often comic narration of how he met the mother of his children.

Overview

How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 19, 2005. The series is set in New York City and is framed as a first-person story: an older narrator recounts past events to explain how the central character met the children's mother. The storytelling device—a long-running mystery resolved across seasons—distinguished the show from more traditional episodic comedies and invited viewers to follow a single romantic and social arc over many years. The voice of the future narrator is provided by Bob Saget, while the present-day protagonist is shown through the performance of Josh Radnor.

Principal characters

The core ensemble consists of five friends whose personal and professional lives form the series' emotional center. They meet regularly at a neighborhood bar and each contributes distinct qualities to group dynamics:

Ted Mosby, an architect and romantic idealist (played by Josh Radnor);
Marshall Eriksen, Ted's college roommate and close friend, a law student and later a lawyer played by Jason Segel;
Robin Scherbatsky, a Canadian-born journalist and Ted's on-again, off-again love interest, played by Cobie Smulders;
Barney Stinson, a charismatic, often outrageous man-about-town, played by Neil Patrick Harris;
Lily Aldrin, an artist and teacher who is Marshall's partner and a grounding presence, played by Alyson Hannigan.

Structure, style and recurring elements

The show mixes single-episode comedy with serialized storytelling. Episodes commonly use a frame narrative, flashbacks and flash-forwards, and an occasionally unreliable narrator to play with expectation and timing. Recurring motifs include elaborate running gags, catchphrases, and bets that drive plotlines—examples widely remembered by fans include the "slap bet," Barney's obsession with suits, and the pop-culture persona of Robin as a teenage pop star. The regular meeting place, a pub that serves as a communal living room, anchors many scenes and conversations.

Production, broadcast and reception

Created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, the series ran for nine seasons. Its final season began on September 23, 2013, and the show concluded on March 31, 2014. During its run it drew steady ratings, cultivated a devoted audience, and generated critical discussion—praised for wit and character development while sometimes critiqued for uneven storytelling choices. It has often been compared to earlier ensemble sitcoms for its focus on friendships and urban life, with frequent reference to programs such as Friends when discussing its cultural position.

Legacy and notable aspects

How I Met Your Mother influenced later series that blend serialized mystery with sitcom formats and contributed several phrases and comic setups to popular culture. Performances by the main ensemble earned awards attention, and individual episodes are commonly cited among the series' highlights. The series finale provoked particularly strong reactions, sparking debate about narrative payoff and character arcs. Over time the show has maintained an active fan community that revisits favorite arcs—Barney and Robin's relationship and wedding, Marshall's legal career, Lily's artistic ambitions, and Ted's quest for a lasting partnership are recurring points of interest.

Where to learn more

For episode lists, cast information, and production notes, readers can consult general television reference pages and cast filmographies; the series is documented across entertainment resources and interviews. Further context on the creators’ approach to long-form sitcom storytelling and the show's broader impact on television comedy can be found via episode guides and retrospective essays available through broadcast and fan sites.

General series information • Premiere date • First season year • Setting • Narrator • Cast • Cast • Cast • Cast • Comparisons