Tuesday, January 23, 2007

HIMYM: Naked came the Barnatee

The Internet helped me out with "How I Met Your Mother," and I have a few minutes downtime, so quick spoilers just as soon as I ponder whether Marshall spends as much time weekly rewatching that Ford Expedition commercial with Nessie as I do with "Dick in a Box"...

Bryan Cranston and his little feet do their best to prop up the first exclusively Ted-centric A-story in a while, but all it did was to remind me why the show hasn't done one in so long. As straight man for Barney or Marshall or the ladies, or as friendly mocker of Swarley or the New Dart, he's perfectly fine, but as a solo comic character, he's an empty (nude?) canvas.

The nude painting subplot wasn't quite legendary, but I liked Marshall's reaction to the painting in the bar, Marshall squeezing more money out of Barney, and the fact that the gang isn't limiting their merry prankstering to just Barney.

What did everybody else think?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have you had a chance to watch last week's OC yet, Alan?

The season was off to a great start, but the last 2 episodes have been very off, particularly the last one. And while Che was funny at first, he's quickly worn out his welcome. I wish they'd stop forcing him into the story.

R.A. Porter said...

The B-story wasn't quite funny enough to make up for the A. I think you're right, Alan - Ted just doesn't bring enough on his own for a solo story.

Besides, that forced Robin into a bit supporting role for Ted's story. That's not nearly enough Robin Sparkles for me.

Matt said...

Another thing that bugged--if Marshall is deeply afraid of Bigfoot, why is he so eager to go to Scotland and stay in a haunted castle?

R.A. Porter said...

Dude! Sasquatch is a giant man-ape, not a ghost. If we've learned nothing from the Patterson-Gimlin film, it's that he's both lumbering and nibble of foot.

While I admire his strength and majestic bearing, I have no desire to meet an actual example of Paranthropus robustus. That would just be crazy!

And ghosts are totally cool and not scary at all.

Anonymous said...

This was the first so-so ep of this season. I am sure that the show will get bakc on its feet soon. Gotta agree about Ted, despite being the lead and having his moments, he's the weakest link.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of Ted, when are they going to show the episode where his voice turns into Bob Saget's?

Eric said...

Semi-off topic - I know that this is nothing more than speculation, or maybe a trial balloon, but I've gotta say, if Cobie Smulders plays Wonder Woman, I'm there opening night.

(Like I wouldn't be anyway. It's Joss.)

Anonymous said...

Funny thing happend, I just watched an episode of Three's Company on DVD (817 Jack Takes Off) - where a nude painting of Jack ends up hanging in the Regal Beagle. :D

R.A. Porter said...

Bah. There's nothing unusual about recycling old story lines, either intentionally as an homage, unintentionally as a buried memory, or coincidentally. What's much worse is recycling an old story line on your own show.

Today's posting on Ken Levine's always entertaining blog is on that very topic.

Anonymous said...

I was thrilled to see William Schallert again! I had just recently imdb'ed him (before he did this, apparently) to see if he was still working. The brother argued with me all the way to the imdb only to find out that I was right: it was him.

How nice to see him. I don't know (cause I forget to check) if he's done anything since that ER ep I was watching the other day.
I used to watch him in reruns of Patty Duke when I was little.

Pam (also to blame for a recent unsigned post under Studio 60 (which I amost just freudian slipped into Stupid 60.. hmmm....)

Anonymous said...

My favorite touch was Ted playing a Super Nintendo in college.

Anonymous said...

ok i just wanted to ask... in this ep. when marshall was counting the cash they ripped off of barney, what's that song in the background? the pub music... it makes me tingle i have to know the title...