jlh | HIMYM and sweeps (Reply)

So originally, the digital television switch happening in the US was going to go live as of this past Monday, February 17. (Congress just pushed the date back to June 12.) Because the analog to digital transition was going to affect local stations more than anyone, and because it's the local stations that care about sweeps, Nielsen moved February sweeps to March. Reruns in February, new episodes in March, and the mid-season stuff has time to build an audience before sweeps.

Speaking of which, HIMYM was supposed to show 4.15, "The Stinsons", on 9 February, but it was preempted by POTUS, so now it will air on 2 March. So for those of us who saw that episode (it leaked because the decision to preempt was made so late), no new HIMYM til 9 March.

Oh my god, oh my god you guys. First, Barney's mom is Ruth Fisher! And totally believable as having been passed around like a bong by Grand Funk Railroad; nice to know Barney comes by it honestly.

I was saying last night to

ziggy1278 that I love it when Ted is a tool; it's rare that the central character in a sitcom is allowed to be that interesting. But Ted's ability to be a totally obnoxious snobby tool is awesome, and his bad acting was pretty fabulous. I loved him and the actress and that whole bizarre story he made up with Barney.

I also liked the actress coaching Lily through a fake call with Marshall's mom, after Marshall's freak out about Lily not liking her. I love how the show sets up heartwarming moments, and then undercuts some of them, as if to say: these people are kind, and caring, and have hearts, but they aren't pushovers.

I also loved the kid and Robin, and the kid going in for a kiss with Robin. It was actually pretty perfect, offsetting the weird way they were bonding through most of the episode. But where did he disappear to at the end?

Speaking of which, omg, his mom's advice to Barney about not being afraid, and then Robin coming in the door, and the look on Barney's face!

ali_wildgoose and I discussed this and on other shows, such a sweet set up might never be paid off—and in fact the

barneyrobin comm didn't freak out as much as you think they would. Yet again we see bad television ruining people's ability to read a narrative.

According to Kristin at E!, there will be some movement on the Barney-Robin front by the end of the season, which is like them; HIMYM finales are always important, always shift the relationships of the five characters in some way. (S1, Ted and Robin get together and Marshall and Lily break up; 2, Ted and Robin break up and Marshall and Lily marry; 3, Ted and Barney make up and Barney finally realizes he loves Robin, also Ted proposes to Stella.) I'm excited to see what happens this year!

Also, omg I can't wait to hear the commentary tracks for this season, and what Craig and Carter have to say about Barney and Robin!