These “How I Met Your Mother” Secrets Are Truly Legendary

 

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been two decades since How I Met Your Mother first premiered on CBS back in September 2005. Yet, Ted, Barney, Robin, Marshall and Lily still feel like old friends. Whether you loved the finale or hated it, the show has become a pop-culture classic. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, here are some fun, behind-the-scenes facts and casting surprises that will make you want to grab a drink at MacLaren’s.

The Real Story Behind the Show

Creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas didn’t have to look far for inspiration. They drew from their own post-college experiences in New York City and even based Lily on Thomas’ wife, who insisted Alyson Hannigan was the perfect pick for the role.

The Casting “Almosts”

You might be surprised to learn who almost joined the gang. Jason Biggs was offered the role of Ted but turned it down. Jennifer Love Hewitt passed on Robin to do another series, leaving room for Canadian actress Cobie Smulders to step in. Even Jim Parsons auditioned for Barney before Neil Patrick Harris stole the show with his now-iconic “suit up” energy.

Real Life Inside Jokes

Many of the show’s most beloved running gags came straight from real life. The legendary “Have you met Ted?” was borrowed from a move one of the creators saw at a bar. MacLaren’s pub is modeled after a real New York hangout, and the infamous Slap Bet was inspired by the creators’ high school games.

The Mother and the Finale

Cristin Milioti, who played Tracy, knew from the start about the tragic twist. But did you know the crew actually shot an alternate ending? You can find it in the complete series DVD box set. Alyson Hannigan later revealed that the original finale script was much longer, with scenes that explained Robin and Ted’s reunion more gradually.

Star Power and Guest Spots

Britney Spears’ guest appearance as Abby the receptionist drew more than 10 million viewers and helped secure the show’s renewal. Other famous faces like Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez and Bryan Cranston also dropped in for memorable cameos.

Props the Cast Took Home

When the show wrapped, the actors snagged pieces of HIMYM history: Josh Radnor took home the blue French horn, Cobie Smulders kept Robin Sparkles’ denim jacket, Neil Patrick Harris got the gang’s booth and Barney’s playbook, and Alyson Hannigan walked away with a red British phone booth.

Why It Still Resonates

Two decades later, the show’s mix of humour, heart and friendship keeps it relevant. Whether you’re rewatching episodes or discovering them for the first time, the blue French horn, slap bets and “wait for it” moments still hit just right.

Feeling nostalgic? Put on your best suit, order a burger and relive the legen—wait for it—dary moments that made How I Met Your Mother an unforgettable part of TV history.