Created by former
Late Show with David Letterman writers Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, the 30-minute CBS sitcom
How I Met Your Mother was, per its title, related entirely in flashback, from the vantage point of 2030. The hero, Ted (his "old" voice provided by
Bob Saget) was endeavoring to regale his children with the stories of how he wooed and won his wife and their mother. The main action took place in "the present," after the twentysomething Ted (played in flashback by
Josh Radnor) decided to take upon himself a bride after the unexpected engagement of his friend Marshall (
Jason Segel) to the lovely Lily (
Alyson Hannigan). Ted had his sights set on a girl named Robin (
Cobie Smulders), but there was no guarantee that she would ultimately be the "mother" of the title, not as long as Mike allowed himself to be immersed in the what-the-hell lifestyle of the early 21st century. Providing snide sidelines comments (and most of the laughs) was Ted's know-it-all best pal, Barney (
Neil Patrick Harris).
How I Met Your Mother premiered on September 19, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide