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'How I Met Your Mother': Selling Lily
There's just something about the dedication of the folks at How I Met Your Mother that I really like. If they mention a website, it exists. If they talk about something in one episode, it's likely to appear in another. Jokes and plotlines back around over and over again. It's like life, but the jokes are better and people wear red cowboy boots.
Things started off quickly tonight, with a minimal recap of the March Madness episode (you know, where an anonymous woman from Barney's past has been torpedoing his chance at sleeping with new and different women) followed by Barney catching the woman ruining his new relationships before the opening credits. Turned out it wasn't so much a woman from Barney's past, but one from his present, Abby (Britney Spears to you and me), Stella's crazy receptionist was the culprit.
Abby was moderately perturbed that Barney slept with her and then didn't call her. That was pretty much Barney's plan all along, but Abby didn't really get it (not a terribly bright girl, that Abby). She did, however, "get it" from Barney again after they both commiserated that Ted wasn't interested in either of them.
Is "commiseration sex" a thing? I know "affirmation of life sex" is, but I'm not sure about "commiseration sex."
In the warm afterglow of commiserating about Ted, the two hatched a plan – they would try and show Ted how lame it is to be in a relationship. That was Barney's plan anyway, Abby's plan was more to get Ted to fall in love with her.
They tried putting the plan into effect at the bar, dressing up in similar outfits and acting all lovey-dovey. Not only did Ted not buy it, Abby didn't come close to pulling it off (she made it clear to Ted she still had feelings for him). Completely committed to the bit though, Barney asked Abby to marry him right there in front of Ted. Abby agreed, and, not being that smart, didn't realize that Barney didn't mean it. Later, Barney explained it all to her and, to soften the blow of his dumping her, gave Abby Ted's address saying he thought that Ted had a thing for her.
I can only hope that's the last we see of Britney on the show. I can't tell you how disturbing I'll find it if Abby turns out to be the mother.
Elsewheres, Marshall and Lily's money problem got worse as their floor was going to cost way more to fix than the initial estimate had suggested. Marshall was all for selling Lily's clothes, and what with her having a wardrobe full of over-priced, often never-worn, designer duds, it seemed like a pretty good option to me. Marshall setup a website and everything to make it happen, but Lily was in no way amused. She was, in fact, less than amused. Way, way less than amused. Apparently she wasn't really up for doing whatever it took to live in D-town.
Actually, she did, in fact, have another plan, she wanted to sell her paintings. Marshall and I, seeing things eye-to-eye, both instantly decided that Lily's art wasn't quite… shall we say… good enough to be sold. It's a really good thing for me that Lily was unaware that I agreed with her husband, otherwise she may have gotten just as angry at me as she did at Marshall when he told her what he thought about the quality of her work.
Lily opted to try and prove her husband (and me) wrong by showing her piece in an art show and after it didn't sell there, a coffee shop, and after it didn't sell there, on the street. Amazingly, on the street she got a bite. She had suffered through a long day of not selling her painting and was all ready to give up when a "GCWOK" (gay couple without kids) showed up and bought the painting, thrilling her and amazing me.
For a moment Lily thought she was on her way to something huge, but when she called the couple to try and convince them to show her pieces to their GCWOK friends, the harsh light of day ruined it all. The couple had actually bought the painting for the frame (which was rare and quite expensive) and, after separating the wheat from the chaff, dropped the painting into a dumpster.
Oh come on now, don't get so upset for Lily, it wasn't going to end badly and you should know that. Lily's painting was spotted by a vet who hung it in his office where he found out it sedated dogs (but birds disliked it). The doctor bought several paintings from Lily and Marshall set up a website (they didn't give that address) to help promote her art to the veterinary community.
Except for birds (who commit suicide on seeing Lily's work), they all lived happily ever after, or at least until next week.
A quote and a listing of the websites mentioned in tonight's episode:
- Marshall to Lily after telling her that fixing the apartment was going to cost more than they thought, "I hate to say this, but I think you're going to have to sell your stuff." Lily's response, "Whoa… Marshall, that's just a game we play in the bedroom."
- The show mentioned two websites tonight and, true to HIMYM form guyforceshiswifetodressinagarbagebagforthenextthreeyears.com exists, (and I think she can pull off a tall kitchen can), just like lilyandmarshallselltheirstuff.com (it's for charity, of course) and, perhaps most importantly, The TV and Film Guy's Reviews is real too.
What a ridiculous episode... Barney may be a lot of things, but he ain't stupid, and trying to convince Ted about relationships being lame after Ted has seen through the transparent ruse is just inane. It's just a bad reason to bring Britney back. I hear she may be back next season- god help us all. And what's with the constant attempt to come up with a catchphrase? I highly doubt GCWOK is going to catch on.
AC | May 12, 2008 9:57:17 PM | #Episode was fine. Just fine. I'm disapointed that the bracket girl was Abby. Especially when the actress was different originally. It seemed like a cheap excuse to bring in Britney again.
I doubt she'll be the mother. But if she's back next season I'll have to seriously reconsider my watching of the show. She is that unwatchable to me.
Francesca | May 12, 2008 10:06:28 PM | #Episode was fine. Just fine. I'm disapointed that the bracket girl was Abby. Especially when the actress was different originally. It seemed like a cheap excuse to bring in Britney again.
I doubt she'll be the mother. But if she's back next season I'll have to seriously reconsider my watching of the show. She is that unwatchable to me.
Francesca | May 12, 2008 10:06:30 PM | #LISTEN TO ALESANA AND SAOSIN
lolppl | May 12, 2008 10:20:56 PM | #Thing is, Britney -really- isn't that bad. Sure she's not great, but if it were any other equally ungreat actress who -wasn't- Britney Spears, everyone would care so much less. I actually thought the plot with her and Barney was funny, and she plays 'desperate and kind of slow' just fine if nothing else. Let's not make such a big deal out of such a total non-issue, shall we?
No longer watching a good show because like 2 out of 50 episodes have an actress you kind of don't like just seems, I don't know, extreme.
Ben | May 12, 2008 10:23:07 PM | #Commisseration sex is totally a thing. It's a weird, awkward post-coital thing, but it is a thing.
brainylagirl | May 12, 2008 10:59:22 PM | #Rose plays the wierd psycho girl better on 2 1/2 men. britney still isn't bad in doses, but not enough to bring back. I though Will Forte was great last week: "What a loser;D", but you don't see them bringing him back. It would be awesome...wait for it..some!
Jason | May 12, 2008 11:01:27 PM | #Britney's return was mediocre, and she was fine in small doses the first time, but she really cannot pull off a longer storyline. I'm hoping she's done, but it doesn't seem to be that way.
Lily and Marshall are getting a bit stale as the married couple, so having Lily taking center stage really didn't do it for me (the same can be said for Marshall's episode a few weeks back, "The Chain of Screaming").
Really, if it doesn't involve Ted, Stella, Barney, or Robin, I'm really not that interested anymore, which is hard for me to say since Marshall is my favorite character.
The best part of last night's episode was the red boots.
Tony | May 12, 2008 11:40:14 PM | #Britney isn't a great actress it has to be said. If the show can't survive without this kind of stunt casting, then maybe it doesn't deserve to. The awful stereotypical gay couple were also an embarrassment.
Lee Richards | May 13, 2008 2:27:25 AM | #A little bit of Brittany goes a long, long way. Please do not bring her back. She can't act. I don't see how she could possibly the mother, or Stella either for that matter. Hasn't he already told his kids about meeting them both. Isn't the whole point of telling the story so he can end by saying, and that's how I met your mother. He's already told them about getting his tatoo removed and meeting Stella.
KATHY | May 13, 2008 5:37:43 AM | #I thought Brit Brit was just fine. God you people are hard. I hope she comes back 50 times just to piss you guys off!
bob | May 13, 2008 5:51:30 AM | #I seem to be in the minority, but I really liked the episode. I found it to be funny, but of course, the funniest was definately Ted and the red cowboy boots.
I'm also hoping that Britney doesn't come back anytime soon, but to me she isn't unwatchable. I was still entertained.
Denise | May 13, 2008 7:16:48 AM | #Oh, wow! For some reason, I thought this was the season finale. And therefore I was kinda disappointed by this pretty average, not very "finale" episode. (Barney and Ted are still not friends, no Stella, & the main plot was a standalone Lily story).
I'm still disappointed by the fact that the stalker was Abby. Because I'm pretty sure that wasn't their original plan (since Britney was originally meant to only be in one episode). And I really want to know what their original plan was.
This episode was lacking and yea Britney wasn't that great. However, I hope she brush more on her acting skills coz i like the whole thing of someone stalking Ted in the middle of the night.
The red cowboy boots are awesome... he's pulling them off. He should totally wear them again in another episode.
It's true what someone said about Lily and Marshall being a bit stale coz every episode when they're the epicenter I get kinda bored and she annoyed me how she didn't want to sell her clothes. As a teacher myself, it's silly for her to put fashion over her husband and living arrangement. She's not Paris Hilton and can't afford to wear designer duds. Go to a vintage store for goodness sake!
leslie | May 13, 2008 7:56:18 AM | #"Pulling. Them. Off."
Aptly describes the episode. Not one of the best, not one of the worst, but the cast and crew pulled it off. Unlike the 20th Century FOX registered site (noted also by the placement of "Cheaper by the Dozen 2" and "Back to You" ads in the background): guyforceshiswifetodressinagarbagebagforthenextthreeyears.com
Seriously, that girl (who reminds me of the Pam Beasly character on "the Office") is too short for an extra tall. (which also reminds me of Pam from "the Office"...)
I find it silly that people would stop watching this show because Britney Spears has been on a couple of times.
First, at least she is working again and we aren't seeing up her skirt. Besides, this may be a sign that she wants something better for her life.
Second, if you are going to stop watching this show; stop watching it because it is ridiculous! The only reason they can still call it "How I met your Mother" is because every so often they have a Bob Saget voice-over while you see two incredibly bored looking kids sitting on a couch listening to their dad talk about escapades that no decent parent would tell their children.
Seriously, what child wants to know that Aunt Robin slept with Barney, or that Dad told his friends about a woman he wanted to sleep with that hadn't been with someone for 5 years and now he is telling his kids as well?
The show is funny and has great parts, but there are many reasons to quit watching.
Bren | May 13, 2008 9:45:57 AM | #it is pretty simple.
britney = ratings
tuesday | May 13, 2008 10:27:55 AM | #Looks it has finally been confirmed for next season. I was on another webpage reading about the fall schedule presentationa and the status for HIMYM was "fate to be decided", a few minutes later it was "renewed".
rob | May 13, 2008 11:25:14 AM | #If a ratings jump due to Britney Spears is what is took to get this amazing show renewed, then it was all worth it.
I found the storyline with Britney to be a little lacking this week and I think it might have been due to her acting, but Neil Patrick Harris is such a phenominal actor, he can carry any scene on his own and this truly proved it.
This wasn't the best episode ever, but it was still better than alot of stuff on television these days.
Pulling it off? Not. This. Blogger.
The episode's theme of "please don't take this personally; it just isn't very good" made think of this series' "It Happened Last Night" blogger. But the episode also taught me that just because I don't like his style, that doesn't mean that his weekly snoozefest of a recap isn't particularly soothing to the canine crowd.
Truly, the only reason I checked in this week was because I thought I heard Lily utter, and then repeat, something that sounded dangerouly close to an obscenity (rhymes with bucket) when she scribbled on a napkin and chewed out Marshall. Anybody understand what she was saying there?
No problem with Britney. I'm glad that she's trying to turn things around and that some of my favorite folks on TV right now are helping her get that chance. Second chances are good. But I've given this particular blog too many of them.
Goph | May 13, 2008 12:29:04 PM | #Anyone pick up on the fact that the maker of the frame for Lily's painting was Anton Kreitzer? This was the name used by Norm for a fake business partner in the 8th season of "Cheers." I know, I have a problem.
Mike | May 13, 2008 12:34:54 PM | #Goph - She said SUCK IT!!
Hope | May 13, 2008 12:53:19 PM | #Thanks, Hope! Don't know why that sounded so fuzzy to me at the time. Even backed up the DVR and replayed it several times, still sounded like more of an F to me!! But obviously, CBS and HIMYM wouldn't take THAT much of a risk!
Goph | May 13, 2008 1:22:40 PM | #I had never watched the show before, and missed it when Britney was on the first time. I made a point to catch it this week, forcing my husband to sit through the sitcom before it (Horribly unfunny, and he went to bed before HIMYM even came on). I thought the whole "fake couple" scene was SO badly acted and contrived on so many levels, that I gave up on the show and turned it off, never knowing what happened to Lily and her art. I was glad to find this blog, so that I can say this second Britney episode was just so "plasticy" and forced, like a comedian having to keep reminding you that he's telling you a joke, and it's supposed to be funny, so you should laugh, okay?-type of thing.
I thought Neil Patrick Harris was amazingly sharp and wry, except when he was having to interact WITH Britney, rather than act alongside her. It made him look like a dinner theater Melodrama cast member.
I may watch the show again, but definitely NOT if Britney is on. Whatever her talents are, sitcoms are not it. Her timing is just terrible. I thought she was a singer and dancer. The dialogue had no rhythm, and was delivered as unconvincingly as someone telling you that socks are lost in the dryer because of microscopic black holes that form from the drum perforations rotating while being heated...
Sarah Tunbull | May 13, 2008 1:38:36 PM | #Not a steller ep and very disappointed that this ep seems to me to be a stand alone ep in that it doesn't seem like it will lead into anything we see in next week's ep.
As for a ratings bump, Britney did provide one the first time out, but there wasn't one this time.
Rishi | May 13, 2008 4:18:06 PM | #
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