How I Met Your Mother (CBS, Syndicated)

common sense media says

Clever sitcom about love features innuendo, alcohol.


parents & educators say
  • 65% say sexual content is an issue
  • 41% say language is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this entertaining, refreshingly kooky sitcom is focused on love and relationships, with a large dose of sexual-themed humor. There’s plenty of flirting and innuendo, especially from one character who constantly tries to seduce women and then brags about his conquests. One of the main sets is a bar, where the gang gathers to drink and talk. Expect some swearing, including "damn," "bitch," and "ass."

Positive messages: Friendship and love are important on this show, which often examines the ties that bind its five main characters to each other -- and to other people as well. Two are married to each other, and their solid relationship is strong enough to weather the bumps of sitcom plot twists. Other characters are single and turn to their friends to help them recover from the inevitable bruises of their up-and-down romantic lives.
Positive role models: Most of the characters seem like average, likeable people just trying to figure out life. Marshall and Lily, a married couple, are especially sweet, and it’s clear that they care for each other deeply even when they're bickering like any real couple. The exception is Barney, a serial womanizer who views relationships with repulsion and lives for one-night stands. He makes disparaging comments about women and often comments on their bodies. Still, his friends often criticize his behavior and make it clear that such attitudes are unhealthy.
Violence: Occasional comic pratfalls, etc.
Sex: Lots of innuendo and references to sex. Some fooling around on screen, and lots more is implied off screen. Barney is a serial womanizer who lives for casual hookups and avoids commitment. (He loves to discuss his conquests, too.) A married couple talks often about their sex life.
Language: "Damn," "bitch," "hell," "ass," "bastard," etc.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The main characters frequently convene for drinks at a neighborhood bar. Some references to being drunk and making poor decisions while intoxicated.

More on How I Met Your Mother

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about relationships. Are Ted's wants and beliefs realistic? How does Ted's attitude toward women contrast to Barney's?

  • How does this show fit into the standard sitcom formula? Where does it differ? Why do you think so many TV comedies are so similar?

  • Why do you think so many sitcoms are set in bars? Do you know a lot of adults who spend their time in bars? Are they like the people in this show?

What's the story?

What's the story?

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER begins every episode many years from now as future Ted (voiced by Bob Saget) tells his teenage kids a story about his life as a single New Yorker trying to find the woman who will one day be a parent to these children. Back in the present, Ted (Josh Radnor) is aided in this quest by his friends Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) and Marshall (Jason Segel), Marshall’s wife, Lily (Alyson Hannigan), and her best friend (and Ted’s ex-girlfriend), Robin (Cobie Smulders). The quintet endures all the bumps of dating in the big city -– except for Barney, an incorrigible womanizer who brags constantly about his one-night stands and always has a suggestive line at the ready.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The strength of this very witty comedy is the chemistry between the five main characters. They play off each other just like real-life best friends, and their conflicts and triumphs seem like the kinds of issues that might happen to anyone -- except served up with better one-liners. Yes, there are some parts that seem a bit far-fetched -- how could Barney even find enough time for all those women, let alone appeal to them despite his obvious on-the-prowl status? -- but the group still comes across like people you could hang out with and want to get to know at the local bar where they convene regularly. Credit the writers for creating full-fledged, if exaggerated, characters, and for set-ups that are tantalizingly amusing.

One point that starts to feel thin after a while, however, is the gimmick behind the title. Perhaps clever in early episodes, as the seasons progress, it sometimes seems like we no longer care anymore who the mother is, what with all the storyline manipulations surrounding the topic. Robin, a strong candidate at first, has long since been ruled out, which means that Ted must eventually find a steady girlfriend. That isn’t necessarily a flaw -- much of the best comedy stems from romantic misadventures -- but someday Ted will need a romantic encounter that doesn’t end badly, which is unlikely to be as funny.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: CBS
Cast: Alyson Hannigan, Cobie Smulders, Jason Segel, Josh Radnor, Neil Patrick Harris
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: CBS

This review was written by Caroline Gates-Shannon
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13
Based on 17 parent & educator reviews:
  • 65% say sexual content is an issue
  • 41% say language is an issue
  • 35% say there are positive messages

Most useful reviews by all members

gfdf
kid, 11 years old
 
funny
very funny but has some inapropreite moments

Poetic Ramblings
teen, 16 years old
 
A decent show
Great for teenagers and adults. Has progressively been getting worse, however.

himymrox1234
teen, 14 years old
 
kids are hearing this stuff at school 2 they might as well hear it on tv

tamar14
parent of 9 year old
 
Mature 13+ should be fine for this excellent sitcom
This is a great show (though it's definitely been sliding since s4) that's probably okay for some 12-13 year olds. Everyone 13+ is probably fine. Some episodes can mention sex quite a bit (the absolute worst episodes ever are probably the three where orgies involving 10 and 12 partners and a vibrator are mentioned, all in season 2). Just make sure your kids know what sex is. Otherwise... yeah, no.

Fahima Saeed
teen, 16 years old
 
Not meant for kids, without supervision at least
Neil Patrick Harris is hilarious! He makes the show! Kids shouldn't watch it though, some of the stuff is not at all meant to be heard or seen by them. Otherwise very funny :)

01 man
parent of 13 and 15 year old
 
well
one of my dauters came home from school one day tellying me that her friend watched this and thought it was so funny so i thought i would try it wow im glad i lisened to my daughter on this one me and her where in the floor laughing the whole time

Safemancam001
teen, 14 years old
 
Not so great okay for teens CBS show.
I've seen a few episodes; to tell you the truth, it does nothing for me. It got a few laughs from me but not too much really.

FlowerLover12
teen, 13 years old
 
One of the best series ever!
I am inlove with HIMYM it's just so funny!. Sometimes an episode can be funny, emotional and inappropriate. But its too long to get to the point where they actually show who Ted marries (The Mother) on HIMYM, so that kinda puts a lot of suspense into it. Ted is a sweet and kind guy he's awesome. Barney on the other hand is a sex addict, he always talks about girls and sex. In some of the episodes he falls inlove with Robin which i thought was sooo sweet. But they wouldnt make a cute couple. Robin is one of the characters i dont like so much :| (I dont know why). Marshall&Lily are like the best characters!!! I was so sad in those episodes where they broke up and they cancelled their wedding! Im really hoping to see more of the episodes and finally figure out who the mother is!!

bobbeta30
teen, 16 years old
 
Awesome!
I love this show! It's great for most ages and it's funny. Trust me, the stuff they hear on T.V. is sterile clean compared to stuff at school.

 
Great for teens and adults
The only thing negative about the show is how much they talk about sex. This show is hilarious. I love it. I want to be best friends with Marshal, Lily, Ted, Robin, and Barney.

Miranda ...
kid, 11 years old
 
good show, but language, not so good
In MAD, they did how i met my brother which is stupid, nobody steals ideas from this show, too hilarious and funny to make a joke out of! In one episode, they use the word "a--".

Bill Nobill
parent of and 11 , 13 , 15 year old
 
It's all about sex.

Gatorblitz1069
parent of and 5 , 12 , 15 year old
 
For adults and mature teens
I think this show is Very funny for adults, and depending on the maturity of your child it is ok for them also. There are quite a few sexual references and innuendoes in each episode. The shows friends spend a lot of time in a bar, but don't really do a lot of drinking.

LoveOwenWilson
teen, 15 years old
 
teens....older
LOL...love Barney....his jokes are sooo funny!!!! hahhahaha!! it's way tooo dirty but its' one heck of a laugh! for sarcastic humor and peeing in ur pants...u'd better sneak this in ur room and watch it!!

Book_lover98
teen, 14 years old
 
How I Met Your Mother Taught Me How To Be Hilarious!
I completely love this show! Yes there is some explicit sexual references, and Barney is completely and utterly a horrible rolemodel, the humor is perfect for tweens! And the fact that Ted is looking for a real relationship says something.

rie97
teen, 14 years old
 
Hilarious prime-time sitcom.
I started watching HIMYM just a few months ago, and I've seen all of seasons 1-4. Like my review title says, it's hilarious, especially Barney, even though he isn't the best role model in the world. I'd say that HIMYM is safe for anyone over the age of twelve, because some humor/plot lines might fly over younger kids' heads.


kid, 12 years old
 
Great Show
Great source for teh epic lulz. So what, there's casual sex, no one gives a s**t


teen, 14 years old
 
Great Show
Great source for teh epic lulz. So what, there's casual sex, no one gives a s**t


kid, 11 years old
 
Great Show
Great source for teh epic lulz. So what, there's casual sex, no one gives a s**t

Themaxieriddle
parent of 17 year old
 

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