How I Met Your Mother - Josh Radnor on Filming the Last Table Read

The cast of How I Met Your Mother at PaleyFest on 3/15/14. Josh Radnor describes the strong emotions that came with the closing days of the show. More specifically, their final table read together.

[@durgesh-chaudhary]

Ted really plays a great role of josh

[@rohan9095]

😂😂😂

[@harshavelide2514]

why is this show such underrated?? i mean its the best sitcom i ever watched

[@eliasm94]

because of Ted, Josh

[@pmparda]

The finale

[@harshavelide2514]

Believe it or not josh was the perfect guy to potray Ted Mosby. The character is a blend of comedy,emotion and most importantly confusion which josh was excellent in potraying. About the finale it sure is different and not the happy ending type but you cannot deny the fact that that's not some fantasy show to show things that the viewers want to see so that he could increase his viewership. The creators knew the whole story from the very beginning and continued with that. So you can't completely blame the finale for it.

[@amitsaxena4108]

The way this show ends, it reduces re-watchability significantly. Few of most epic moments Barney's character development loses the value. Otherwise definitely the best show.

[@rohan9095]

The ending didn't do justice with all the build up ( or memories of Ted )

[@ZehraDimlioglu]

wow I didn't know he is such a good speaker and a story-teller. I could listen to him all day without getting bored.

[@jethroshops4133]

Well, try watching his online seminars. TED Talk

[@ZehraDimlioglu]

@@jethroshops4133 I always had a feeling that he should be the founder and creater of TED talks.Turns out I wasn't wrong, at all!

[@JugCityKid]

The ending was just too sudden for me. Ted finally got his happy ending of finding the one. Then she died 2 mins later and moved onto Robin. Reastically, they probably spent a good 20 years together but for me it felt like 5 mins, idk

[@JM-jz6yy]

*hypothetically

[@sm_1425]

11 years

[@9hoppybunny]

I feel like that’s the point though.. “HIMYM” is a misdirection, the story is ultimately about Ted and Robin

[@alrightyaphrodite1]

the show is about how ted MET tracy. realistically the show shouldve stopped after ted stood under the yellow umbrella in the rain with her. the last episode and all storylines after the rain scene were a gift really. i mean we all went into this wanting to see how ted met her, not their whole story. i also very much think the writers wanted us to sorta hate them (writers) for the slowness of b & r's weddig and then rush after ted met tracy lol

[@mindmeld12345]

True story

[@bmvthemoviefanatic7282]

And Tracy just like: And you killed me off! What a load of ---

[@vdhpneee]

I am emotionally traumatized by watching this ending. Spending 9 seasons waiting for Ted to finally let go of Robbin and find his true match a lovely girl with a bright personality and an emotional back story only to find out that Tracy dies in a very young age and Ted goes back to Robbin who never really viewed him for what he really was but what he really did when she needed him the numerus times she screwed up.

[@Karlyr_]

The show addresses the Robin part a number of times. "You're just not at the same place in life". For the "Kill the mother off and get Robin" part, first, Ted and the mother have been together for at least 15-20 years considering the age of their children. And second, the show was never about the mother, it was always about the gang and Ted's love life. Spending a full season on the mother would have been very awkward.

[@atiyaha8191]

I don't know why this is posted now. I love this show to bits though

[@alrgdegidkf2127]

I love Josh😍

[@itamy267]

The title should have been "How I Am I Back To Square One". LoL Honestly, I have no issues with the ending. Because that was the most realistic ending. And that is what life is. My problem is the title. The mother seemed hardly important, IMO. Had it been a different title, audience would have not been this much disappointed because they never would have hoped in the first place! In the entire show they tried to tell how significant the mother was for Ted simultaneously they kept dropping hints here and there about Robin & Ted. What happens? Mother comes and dies. Ted goes back to Robin where it all started. In the end I felt like Ted was actually looking for his children's approval to go back to Robin, the love of his life. Hence he narrated the entire story to them. I have no issues with that. Just the title could have been something else.

[@FranckKosellek]

The title is not important. Finding the mother was not important, it was just the excuse for 9 years of stories. The creator actually made fun of that showing the former ted's kids grown up and exploding in rage to their dad in a short commercial. Finding who was the mother was the top of the iceberg but all the material that made this show a success was not the quest of the mother but all that those 5 young New-Yorkers lived in 9 years, the relationships, the laughs and the evolutions. They actually evolved : Robin did made a successful career and was emancipated of the seek of stable relationship, Ted had a family life and kids with THE woman, Barney promised to commit all its life to the only girl who matter to him, etc etc. They did not cam back to square one. It is in a way similar to Buffy the vampire slayer. In this TV show all the fantastic story layer around slaying vampires and co is the top of the iceberg, it is just an excuse (and often an analogy) for the transition from teenage to adulthood. You can watch the show to diferents levels and the title is not important anymore.

[@itamy267]

Franck Kosellek I agree. I was trying to explain why the finale episode was actually good to those who hated it. I have no issues with going back to square one. Because that's life. You go through tests to realize what you actually want and of course you come out as a better person, an improved version of yours. Like you said you evolve. All I meant was the mother didn't seem that much important to me whereas the whole mystery was about her. I take it as another experience for Ted but this time the experience was fruitful. And I liked the ending unlike majority. I found it realistic. People resented the mother's death. I found it alright. It was needed for them to experience destiny's final plan. Where it all began it ends there but with a new light and a whole new beginning. This time there were no "what if.." or "what could have happened.." or "should we..". It was them only.

[@PaulCherwonka]

I've mentally blocked the HIMYM ending, to end such a good show on that note, was really out of place. But heck, some folks liked it, so who am I to judge.

[@noamias4897]

Paweł Czerwonka I loved it, originally it was gonna have more scenes of a funeral and Ted and Robin connecting during the last episode because it just felt too sudden and too quick but then they cut those scenes out because they didn't have enough time in the episodes, which imo was badly prioritized

[@IngvarGWT]

there is a shoter alternate version of the ending, for the guys like us who does not like that turn

[@ThomasEvansHD]

The thing that bothers me is people are always saying it was a very real ending, which in some aspects, yes, it is, but in other aspects it really isn't.The mother dying, yes, it's real. Totally. That happens to some very unfortunate people. But getting back with Robin, that isn't "real" by any means. You don't fall in love, have two beautiful children, a house, a life, and an entire goddamn marriage with someone then go back to your ex. Ut makes me view the Ted Mosby character as almost insane. His speech on love with Jeanette on the bridge in central park was beautiful. Because he is right, love is eternal, never disposable. But to go back to your ex after EVERYTHING Tracy and Ted had together... that just isn't real. They tried too damn hard to tie the first and last episode together. Love never truly dies but letting it go can and should be treated as a beautiful, natural thing.

[@nidaf1597]

@@ThomasEvansHD would she habd survived he of course woulndt mind to go back to Robin. But how you said it yourself. Love is eternal, so he rememberd all the lovely memories with robin, because of course nobody wants to die alone. And since Ted is a very philosophocal person He looked for his real destiny in terms of love after his "perfect" wife died. So he can see that no perfect thing is forever. But when perfect things aren't forever, what is ? The imperfections. And so he thought of all the problems with robin that he had but also what all of this showed him at the end, namely that those little imperfections are perfect and for Robin the same. She haad everythint that her rational mind told her she needs to be happy in life but somehow a thing missed. The little imperfect being with Ted, because theyre so diffrent but learned much from each other. Atleast thats how I see the meaning behind that whole last moments that himym had. However it is the best show that I ever loved

[@enjolras76]

Love this so much

[@ThomasEvansHD]

The thing that bothers me is people are always saying it was a very real ending, which in some aspects, yes, it is, but in other aspects it really isn't.The mother dying, yes, it's real. Totally. That happens to some very unfortunate people. But getting back with Robin, that isn't "real" by any means. You don't fall in love, have two beautiful children, a house, a life, and an entire goddamn marriage with someone then go back to your ex. It makes me view the Ted Mosby character as almost insane. His speech on love with Jeanette on the bridge in central park was beautiful. Because he is right, love is eternal, never disposable. But to go back to your ex after EVERYTHING Tracy and Ted had together... that just isn't real. They tried too damn hard to tie the first and last episode together. Love never truly dies but letting it go can and should be treated as a beautiful, natural thing.

[@Randomnamerandomnumber]

Robin and Ted getting back together at the end was unnecessary, but it made sense if you look at their characters. Through out the show their biggest obstacle as a couple was poor timing in their lives, because Ted wanted a family, and Robin wanted a career, and neither could commit to their relationship before having these things. By the end Ted had gotten married, had children and experienced the family life he always longed for, and Robin had travelled and experienced a full career. They were at a place in life where those parts of them had been fulfilled, and they could commit to each other without resentment, or sacrifice. In this way, the timing was finally right for them to have the relationship they always strived for.

[@jungookookie413]

That’s bcs Robin is not simply an ex, but she is the actual love of his life. Ted experienced “everything” when he was with Robin. The few moments he spent with Tracy was pretty much smooth sailing. Tracy is someone who fits him personality and vision wise, they have the perfect marriage. But if the title goes “how I met the love of my life”, it would’ve been just 1 one ep, the pilot.

[@shivanshkhare5943]

Actors of this show actually don't have a bond like friends' actors. That is so amusing to see. They worked for so many years together still they feel awkward with each other. I guess emotions only work in tv shows not professional lives . 😅

[@maxgreenberg4763]

I do have a problem with people saying how the show resembles normal life. Yes people and loved ones die early at times, but that’s extremely bad luck. To me the show wants us to believe that’s routine, and it’s just not. Very far from it actually. I also thought it was callous how they made ted spend next to time mentioning the mother’s death. That should make someone grieve like they never have before, and it also felt like they spent little time talking about that to make ted seem like “eh whatever I still have feelings for my ex and will get back with her after all this even after I was in a relationship with a lady for several years and had kids with her” and that’s just wrong

[@land_njr11]

I mean... It wouldn't kill anyone if they putted more of tracy before she dies, but i didn't felt that about the ending.

[@blazehaze233]

routine..? tf are you talking about

[@zyaicob]

Nobody says it's routine. If everything that happened on this show had to be routine, or something that happened to a lot of people, the show wouldn't be able to exist. Tragedy happens, and while it doesn't happen to everyone, it is happening to someone every day. The show is about the fact that tragedy isn't the end of the world.

[@EntertainerOnline]

The ending would be justified in case it was not so hurried up.

[@Daniel-mw7pu]

What is Cristin Milioti wearing ?!?!

[@pinkubaishya8544]

Ted is ted always

[@casseya9452]

where's neil??

[@korimafi]

Casseya xx he’s hosting it

[@GoranNewsum]

1:25 When he says Kleenex, he means facial tissue! Am I the only one who was mad at this!

[@cibrofox]

could have been kleenex, you dont know

[@brokeforever]

Classic Schmosby

[@MrZawdin]

why are you releasing this in 2017? That aside, the final episode was not everything we love about HIMYM and i think you know that Josh. Not your fault, but still.

[@HIMYMTR]

Um many of us loved it, it's just you haters are very vocal.

[@GregoryAssault]

@@HIMYMTR Being okay about the ending, not really caring about the characters when watching a show to pass the time is understandable. Loving the ending tho thats another story. The whole show built up to that character: shes the title for gods sake and even if it was for a single season she was really lovable. Finally getting to meet her and killing her off like that to be with Robin who broke up with Barney... what a rushed forced ending man idk about loving that

[@hankshuler7419]

Just rewatched the show on Netflix again and now realised how bad the original ending was even more than before. People who claim it's realistic is crazy. Yes people die but that doesn't mean it's normal for them to die young. Ted and Robin never had that good a chemistry anyway and their relationship had so many bumps and ultimately failed. To try and force them together is just not normal. Ted had incredible chemistry with Tracy and the alternative ending with the yellow umbrella was arguably the best scene in the whole show. Barney and Robin also had clearly better chemistry together too, it was believable for them to get back together. The show runners did an amazing job for 9yrs but the original one was such a mistake, just tried to be too clever. Ended up stupid. I must thank them for the much improved alternate ending to rectify that mistake nonetheless.

[@emanueledagostino2660]

rewatch it. If you have chemistry then it's only the timing. but the timing is bitch. Ted and Robin were meant to stay togheter, but not now.

[@rmartin7558]

Because everything else that happened on the show was completely "normal."

[@jungookookie413]

Robin is the actual love of Ted’s life. Tracy is someone who fits Ted, personality and vision wise, they have the perfect marriage together. Robin and Barney are “buddies” kind of relationship, both can’t cater to each other’s emotional depth, that’s why both Robin and Barney gravitate to Ted, the sentimental one.

[@sabrinal4728]

the ending was the worst thing to ever happen to this show. they spend 9 years developing ted as a character (him getting over robin and trying to find another woman) and also developing barney as a character (him committing to one woman) and in the last episode they just go back to who they both were in season 1 episode 1.

[@JoybuzzerX]

They didn't go back. Ted loved Tracey. What, you think he couldn't love Robin still? If Tracey lived, he never would have left her. She did die and he knew he was still in love with Robin. Hell, Robin still loved Ted even when she married Barney. Barney become his mother. :p The parent that will do anything for their child. His daughter was his everything. Having the daughter got him to grow up.

[@kareemkardash1348]

But Barney does get committed to one girl at the end.....

[@IchigoKurosaki011]

The ending was good, stop being a spoilt brat.

[@madeleinebarr4070]

Sabrina Lubrano but Barney did become committed to one girl his daughter

[@abimckenzie4525]

Ted did get over robin, he never would have ended up with her had his wife not died, which is why the part of robin wanting to run away with ted at her wedding with Barney was so important, because it proved that he was over robin. It kinda worked out perfectly when you think about it, ted always wanted to settle down, get married and have kids, and he had that with Tracey. Robin, who never wanted any of that, could still be a part of each other’s lives and they could be together in the end without one feeling like the other had to compromise.

[@VengerSatanis]

Cha'alt!

[@BytownParanormal]

Good show, I skipped the dumb finale story , never saw it. Wise choice

[@ruifilipe4683]

watch the alternative ending, that one is good.

[@IchigoKurosaki011]

The final episode is great, don't be a whiny little shit just because you don't get the perfect 100% ending you want, because you never will.

[@mango8127]

Yes it was!!! For all the other fans that had to suffer for watching that piece of shit that you would call a series finale don’t watch it!

[@MAX-de8fe]

@@ruifilipe4683 NOPE.. NOPE.. I cant anymore I'm sick of people saying that ending is good it was made ironically to sarcastically show how life isnt perfect. You dont end up with everything you want, you arent gonna find an obvious female version of yourself. A good ending shouldn't have to be a predictable one.

[@afonsocarvalho2695]

@@ruifilipe4683 what u mean?

[@kennethgreifer5123]

I was disappointed that the mother was not Sarah Michelle Gellar from Buffy the Vampire Slayer because one of the stars of the show was on that show. I thought it would have been a funnier ending, but it wasn't really a funny ending, sort of. It was like real life with a sad ending. I don't watch comedies to be sad. I like comedies to be funny, so you can escape from reality and laugh at life. I can't watch the reruns anymore because I am sick of watching people go through a million relationships, especially in a small group where they fall in love with each other and then they break up and get back together a hundred times. It is a funny show anyway, but I just can't watch their relationships. I had the same problem with the show Friends.

[@DaveCM]

When you read the last episode, why didn't you realize how badly it sucked and completely stupid it was and demand a rewrite?