HIMYM premiered Monday night with back-to-back episodes that served as a set up for the rest of Season 9, with everyone…but Marshall, arriving in Farhampton for Barney and Robin’s wedding weekend.  But he’ll get there – carpooling it with Sherri Shepherd, guest starring as Daphne.  The two were definitely a high point of the episode, arguing on a flight back to New York, succeeding in getting them both kicked off of the plane, and then in the car rental center, finally culminating in Daphne’s teasing of Marshall about the impending ride.   Considering how entertaining said B-plot was last night, I cannot wait to see how their road trip goes.

Meanwhile, Lily spent the first episode of the night meeting the mother, who is as of yet, still nameless. After getting fed up with Ted’s ridiculous driving habits (and his driving gloves), Lily hops a train to Farhampton, and in her upset over missing Marvin grabs the mother’s attention.  The scene gave some interesting foresight into the future relationship between the mother and Ted…but more on that later.

Barney and Robin had perhaps the most nervewracking journey, at least for them.  The two apparently share a crazy cousin, who thankfully is not a blood relative of either, as they learned after some familial interrogation, and later came face to face with one of Robin’s worst fears – Barney’s fear of commitment.  Wayne Brady returned as Barney’s brother James, only to drop the bomb that he and his partner Tom would be getting a divorce.  Robin was afraid to find out what would happen if Barney found out – James and Tom are the only couple that made him believe in marriage, despite Lily’s drunk protestations – but was sweetly relieved to find out that it’s a non-issue.  Twice in the premiere (technically once in each episode), we got romantic Barney/Robin moments.

But what of Ted, who we know has to meet the mother at some point this season?  Well, thanks to a lovely little flash-forward, we find out that he will, and a year from the wedding weekend will be back in Farhampton…but, for what reason?

However, we also got a sneak peek at Ted’s trip to Los Angeles, to visit Stella as a consequence of wanting to find Robin’s missing locket.  Nervous?

Back to the mother though.  Last month Neil Patrick Harris said that we will be getting to know the mother as her own character, and after watching the premiere episodes, I completely agree – I already like her.  I enjoyed the little hints her first scenes gave per her future relationship with Ted, and thought Cristin Milioti did a good job of establishing her presence within the show’s universe.

I am still very interested in seeing how the writers handle the season, which will be taking place over the course of the wedding weekend, and how the mother will meet everyone in time, while at the same time become part of the story without being the story.  But so far I think Season 9 is off to a great start.  I can’t find any down-points yet, only potential for new twists and turns.

And kudos to Rogar Bart, guest starring as the overly-invested, sarcastic hotel concierge, Curtis.

What did you think of the HIMYM premiere?  Hit the comments below!

The post HIMYM Premiere Review: The Journey to Farhampton appeared first on TVHackr.

It seems as if that’s exactly what we can expect when How I Met Your Mother returns for its farewell season next month.

When I think of the phrase “the longest wait-for-it-ever” I can’t help but think of the obvious situation – the mother.  I know, it’s just that obvious, but really, it has been one of the longest cliffhangers in the history of television.  And yes, I realize that I am being incredibly literal here.

According to Neil Patrick Harris in a recent interview at the CBS Fall Preview, the upcoming season of the sitcom is going to introduce us to her – the mother, who is still nameless as of the season 8 finale.  He explained that we will really meet her, as opposed to Ted meeting her for the first time and then the screen cuts to credits, and will root for her.  The mother will be her own part of the show, not just an ingredient in Ted’s narrative, and I have to say, I’m very excited to see the way the final season plays out.

Are you?

We know that the show’s final season will take place during Barney and Robin’s wedding weekend, so it stands to believe that the mother will likely meet everyone else before she actually meets Ted.  So really, there are many, many sub-stories the writers can spin for us in the coming season.

The show originally premiered almost eight years ago, and though I can’t say I was there from the very beginning, I’m here to see it through to the end. After spending an entire summer recording HIMYM repeats on my DVR and watching them as quickly as I possibly could, I’ve grown to love these characters, the bar and booth, the yellow umbrella, and everyone’s favorite chauffer, Ranjit.  Let’s see if I’ll love the mother just as much.

Settle in for the longest wait-for-it, everyone.  Season 9 of How I Met Your Mother premieres Monday, September 23^rd on CBS.

You can see the interview with Neil Patrick Harris, here.

The post The Longest Wait-For-It Ever? NPH Previews HIMYM’s Final Season appeared first on TVHackr.

–Bar Rescue has been renewed by Spike TV for a 20-episode fourth season, set to premiere this fall.  The third season, which premiered on Sunday, February 10 averaged 1.8 million viewers, its highest ever, and improved the timeslot by a staggering +282% with Adults 18-34 and +195% with Adults 18-49.

-Recent premiere date announcements/shakeups: TLC’s Toddlers & Tiaras (June 5th, 9:00); BBC America’s Being Human (July 13th, 10:00); Spike TV’s Tattoo Nightmares (May 28th, 10:00); History’s Mountain Men (June 9th, 9:00); PBS’ Genealogy Roadshow (September 23rd, 10:00); Animal Planet’s Off the Hook: Extreme Catches (June 16th, 8:00); and VH1’s Couples Therapy (June 19th, 10:00) and Stevie TV (May 31st, 10:00).

-Neil Patrick Harris will host the 67th annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 9th. It will be his fourth time hosting the live event, which will air on CBS and honor achievements in plays and musicals over the past year.

-Over Memorial Day weekend, Syfy is set to hold a movie marathon on May 24th, including Mega Python vs Gatoroid and Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus, with marathons of Defiance (May 25th) and Paranormal Witness (May 26th) to follow.

-NBC will give viewers a two-week sneak preview of The Winner Is… following The Voice on June 10th and 17th. The show is still scheduled to premiere on July 11th.

-Ahead of its third season premiere on June 9th, Falling Skies will be presented in two marathons on TNT. Beginning May 27th at 10 a.m., season one will be replayed, while season two is scheduled to marathon on June 1st.

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