Let the great debate begin!

Do you think the ending of this week’s How I Met Your Mother was a good thing or a bad thing?

The argument for the Robin/Barney hookup:

1. I thought it was a great surprise. Sure they’ve hinted at this before but I was still shocked.

2. They could become the bizzaro version of Chandler and Monica on Friends. They’re a couple not central to the show (Ross/Rachel, Ted/Mother) but could be the couple we never even knew we wanted together until they were together.

3. At the heart of it, Barney is a good guy so you know he’s going to feel bad about doing this to Ted. Next week’s episode is called "The Goat," but it’s all about Barney's guilty feelings about breaking the "bro code." That could lead to some good dramatic stuff.

4. It’s a strong secondary story line so the show doesn’t feel the pressure of having to have something about the Mother in every episode.

The argument against the Robin/Barney hookup:

1. Barney broke the "bro code." It’s not cool and this may make us like both Robin and Barney a little less.

2. One of the reasons Barney is hilarious is because he is a player. Continuing with the Friends analogy, Joey only briefly strayed from his "how you doin’" ways when he fell for Rachel. But he quickly returned to form because that was his role on the show.

So after having a couple days to ruminate on the topic, I think I’m still in favor of a possible Barney/Robin romance, how about you? Talk about it below. Also, as a side note, kudos to James Van der Beek. Who knew he could be so hilarious?

Ask TV Gal

Last summer/early fall, I got really into Fashionista Diaries on SOAPNet. Any chance for a Season 2 maybe this summer or ever again? Kim

I checked with SOAPNet and no word yet on a second season but as soon as I hear something, I’ll let you know.

Just checking to see if The Unit has been cancelled. I haven't seen any new episodes since November. JBD

I am concerned that we haven't heard a single peep about The Unit on CBS. What are the chances of it coming back? Any news? Jessie

Ah now is the time when TV viewer’s start to panic. Well the (sort of) good news is that The Unit returns to the schedule next Tuesday, April 29 at 9 p.m. on CBS. The bad news is it’s a repeat. Repeats will also air on May 6 and May 13. And, you are right to be concerned. When CBS made their announcement on of shows they gave early pick ups to, The Unit was not on the list. Nor was The Unit put back into production after the writer’s strike. CBS makes its upfront presentation on May 14 so we should definitely know the fate of The Unit by then.

Any idea on when they will make a decision on Eli Stone. I am literally sick to my stomach that I may have seen my last Eli. Dan

First of all, I so appreciate the level of drama. You’re my kind of TV watcher. Still no official word on Eli Stone. Right now, it appears that we won’t know for sure until ABC makes their May upfront announcement. Working in the show’s favor, the finale was up in the ratings and ended on a strong creative note laying the groundwork for a potentially great second season.

I haven't heard anything regarding whether How I Met Your Mother is being renewed for a fourth season or not and I would really like to know where the show stands. I can't imagine my Monday nights without the HIMYM gang. David

Same song, different show. There’s no official word from CBS yet but show runners have secured both Sarah Chalke and Britney Spears to return to the show before the season ends. I take that as a very good sign.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Rachelle Lefevre was Jerry’s girlfriend on Boston Legal. You may remember that she was everywhere last season. She was Heather on What About Brian, Sue on The Class and Marjorie on Veronica Mars.

Clare was the first to be positively delighted to see Richard Schiff as the man who didn’t want to have any more chemotherapy treatments on Eli Stone. Schiff was, of course, Toby Ziegler on The West Wing. Among his many roles, he was also Phillip Cowan on Burn Notice and was Barry on Relativity.

Michelle recognized Mitch Longley was the man in the wheelchair who got in a fight with Gabrielle on Desperate Housewives. Longley was Mitch Sassen on Las Vegas and Jonathan Ashworth on Judging Amy. Aaron and Ron recognized Eddie McGee as the second man in the wheelchair who called the police on Gabrielle. He’s best known as being the winner of the first Big Brother. By the way, I think that was the scene that pushed Gabby past the point of redemption. They played the scene for humor and it so didn’t work.

Charles recognized Senta Moses as Sweets' girlfriend on Bones. We just saw her as Lizzi on Greek. She was also Phoebe on Beakman’s World and Charles remembers when she was Delia Fisher on My So Called Life.

Ryan recognized Jayne Brook as Rabbi Rebecca Green on Eli Stone. She was Dr. Diane Grad on Chicago Hope and Jamie on John Doe. She was also Rachel Lewiston, Paul’s drug addicted daughter, on Boston Legal. Rick Worthy was her lawyer. Worthy is Simon on Battlestar Galactica, Chris Didion on Eyes and Camael on Fallen. But I’ll always remember him as Jeremy on Felicity.

That’s all for today. I’ll be back on Friday with quotes of the week and thoughts on this week’s Lost. Have a question, seen a familiar face, want to nominate a quote of the week or a topic for discussion? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com.

Comments

I'm against the Barney/Robin hookup. In your pro column you listed #2 as Monica/Chandler as the couple we never knew we wanted together until they were together - I beg to disagree as I wanted the couple together in the pilot and was completely annoyed that the show focued on Ross/Rachel rather than Monica/Chandler. At least once Monica/Chandler did get together they didn't get together and breakup 900 times (that may be on the low side).

Rishi | Apr 23, 2008 12:20:26 PM | #

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No good can come from this hookup. Robin and Ted have already struggled with the whole "we're no longer together but still can be friends" thing and now we are adding Barney and Robin together....no, no, no thank you. The only way I see out of it is if they decide never to speak of this again. I'm still hoping a minute into a kiss they decide they're like brother and sister and knock it off. Of course, it sounds like Amy has seen the show and the outcome is different but I can still hope.

P.S. I think I was the only one that ever hoped Ross and Rachel would NEVER get back together.

Andrea | Apr 23, 2008 12:36:02 PM | #

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I am so for a Barney/Robin hook up. It would be Legen..wait for it...dary.

Dee | Apr 23, 2008 12:37:18 PM | #

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I'm for a Barney/Robin hookup IF they don't change their personalities becuase of the relationship. Neither Barney nor Robin have shown any interest in settling down so as long as they stay true to that, I'm cool with them getting together.

EiEiOhh | Apr 23, 2008 12:41:32 PM | #

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I'm for the Barney/Robin pairing. I actually noticed yhere was something there between them in the beginning, but I doubted the show would ever really explore it.
I think it will be interesting to see how this all plays out, espically seeing how Barney deals with his guilty feelings. I don't however, think Barny/Robin will last too long. Bary doesn't seem the long term relationship type.

Jen | Apr 23, 2008 12:42:02 PM | #

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I am completely against it...Mainly because I want Robin/Cobie Smulders all to myself. She was positively stunning at the beginning (not that she isn't a babe all the time anyway).

spud | Apr 23, 2008 12:51:51 PM | #

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I think they should let it go til the end of the season, then have Robin cite the "lemon law".

festool | Apr 23, 2008 12:53:40 PM | #

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I was surprised they actually went for the Barney-Robin hookup. It might make for a neat diversion for a time, but Robin and Barney are both so thoroughly anti-relationship that it can't last long. Or at least shouldn't.

Dan | Apr 23, 2008 1:11:14 PM | #

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"By the way, I think that was the scene that pushed Gabby past the point of redemption. They played the scene for humor and it so didn’t work."

I completely agree with you. That was a completely unnecessary scene that was unfunny. I don't care for the way Gabby treats Carlos this season, either.

Sue | Apr 23, 2008 1:17:41 PM | #

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Against.

1) We already have one married couple on HIMYM for secondary storylines.

2) It's totally out of character for both Robin and Barney (more so for Barney).

3) Barney is a player (like Joey) and that's his role on the show (Chandler wasn't).

4) Robin deserves better.

Doug | Apr 23, 2008 1:22:10 PM | #

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Lost is back this week with new eps?

Hmmm... would have never known it by watching ABC. They never seem to promote that show.

PS | Apr 23, 2008 1:30:24 PM | #

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At this point, I don't like the thought of a Robin/Barney pairing. I hate when characters play musical beds with each other on shows. It's very Joey/Rachel to me.

And I agree about Gabby. Once in a great while you see a glimmer of depth, but usually she's so shallow I can't see why Carlos or any of her friends would want to be around her.

Michelle | Apr 23, 2008 1:43:09 PM | #

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The whole idea of Robin/Barney weirds me out, but I admit to there being great comedic potential in it. At least there is if they don't drag it out too long.

Josh Man | Apr 23, 2008 2:03:32 PM | #

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I'm totally pro Barney and Robin. Sure Barney is a player and he broke the Bro Code, but still I think it would be an interesting relationship to explore.

Brittany | Apr 23, 2008 2:05:34 PM | #

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"WE GOTTA HAVE FAITH IN ELI STONE!!"

bilge | Apr 23, 2008 2:20:08 PM | #

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I think Robin and Barney are actually a better couple than Robin and Ted - they have more in common. Plus, they're both very single, and sometimes it just happens, you know?

Joe | Apr 23, 2008 2:22:52 PM | #

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I actually like the potential Barney-Robin hookup (Barbin? Robney?
Could be interesting if Barney totally fell for her and she ended up dropping him

Chet | Apr 23, 2008 2:24:30 PM | #

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I was happily surpised. I don't except either of them will be tied together for the rest of the show (though maybe we'll have this, and then they'll actually become a couple at the end of the run).

Ya know? I'm all for some character development. Barney doesn't have to be a manwhore forever. I think his womanizing verges on making him unlikeable (even moreso than breaking the "bro code")

Billiam | Apr 23, 2008 2:32:17 PM | #

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I don't think I'm in favor of the hook-up b/c Barney as a character only works b/c he's morally reprehensible and everyone knows it. Barney coupled makes me feel weird. However, I do recognize the comic potential with the hook-up. I just have yet to be convinced that it's a good thing.

Cat | Apr 23, 2008 2:33:56 PM | #

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I did not care for the Gaby scene either because I am one of those people who actually needs the handicap space, and cannot stand it when people who do not need it, abuse the privilege.

I also did not appreciate her comment about him "getting to sit around all day." I have had people say that to me, and I am like, "Hey, I'd give anything to walk that far, just so I could actually walk!" Morons! :)

By the way, I thought the Robin/Barney situation was cute because he was so caring when she was so upset. Although, I am not sure if I want them in a real relationship.

Michelle | Apr 23, 2008 2:42:36 PM | #

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I am ALL for Barney and Robin!

Potch | Apr 23, 2008 2:55:56 PM | #

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I think Barney/Robin is the perfect friends with benefits pairing. That would be a funny storyline to see.

CJ | Apr 23, 2008 3:05:07 PM | #

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I'm cool with Robin and Barney for a one night stand. Then Robin should dump Barney and give him a taste of his own medicine.

Krissy | Apr 23, 2008 3:06:59 PM | #

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This was foreshadowed: in the first season, Robin suited up for a night out with Barney, they played laser tag and ended up back in her apartment where he stripped down & wanted to get together with her. Although they didn't, it showed way back then that they had great chemistry & are a lot a like in terms of attitude. Although Robin is not a player like Barney, she is not altogether that fond of commitment either which is what made her so wrong for Ted. I think it is a great idea.

Tessa | Apr 23, 2008 3:48:31 PM | #

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Anti Robin/Barney:

I can't have Barney, whose love for Ted has been well established, be wrecked like that. It's too immorall; not awesome.

I also hate the convenience factor. They're only hooking up cuz they're core group members who have nothing better to do. Manufactured drama. The only way they can salvage this is if they wreck up the Barney/Ted dynamic; I'd be pissed if my bro moved on my ex [whom I was convinced was 'the one'].

Not cool...

THall | Apr 23, 2008 4:32:42 PM | #

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NO NO NO Robin and Barney! If Robin is so "awesome" now (and we know that she is) she should have no trouble finding a guy that treats women right. Barney does not.
While I did like seeing Barney's sweet side with Robin at the bar, I don't like this storyline at all!

A | Apr 23, 2008 4:58:00 PM | #

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You know what's weird? I was so surprised and excited by the Robin/Barney hookup that I totally forgot about Ted. Seriously, it didn't occur to me until just now that this might cause problems. But I don't care, because that kiss was hot! And we don't even know what is going to happen yet (well, the unspoiled like myself don't), so I'm not going to fret about something that might not come to fruition anyway.

Lorrie | Apr 23, 2008 5:27:22 PM | #

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I think they should have waited on Barney/Robin if they wanted to go there. It was hinted at before but Barney is cool right now as the funny friend and player.

OT: I'm loving Jim and Pam on the office and I'm addicted to the chemistry between B&S's Rebecca&Justin. She so needs to be de-Walker-ed.

Kelly | Apr 23, 2008 5:30:31 PM | #

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Barney/Robin? I switched to watch the end of Gossip Girl! Oh man. I knew he was rubbing that arm of hers too much.
Must. see. entire. episode.

Kim | Apr 23, 2008 7:20:42 PM | #

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So for Robin&Barney!
"Uncle Barney, aunt Robin"
they're ending up together... obviously

JROBE | Apr 23, 2008 7:30:52 PM | #

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NONONO! ewww, that just sets in stone that I think HIMYM has jumped the shark since the wedding. This is turning into a soap opera where eventually EVERYBODY has slept with EVERYBODY ELSE. Whats next, Robin in a menage-a-trois with Marshall and Lilly? I'm now completely over Mother, especially since NPH was such a b-hole about 'guest' stars. He didnt want his show to get Will and Graced, but he was ONE of the guests on W&G...

Weiss C | Apr 23, 2008 7:56:52 PM | #

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I always thought Robin wouldn't be the mom but would end up with Ted anyway.

Kelly | Apr 23, 2008 8:39:26 PM | #

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do I think Barney and Robin belong together? NOPE! but their non-commital personalities are very similar, which makes their drunken (remember Robin was the last one at the bar) kiss believeable. I hope the writer's don't turn this into some sort of epic romance, but I'm excited to see where the story will go from here.

Gerry | Apr 23, 2008 9:19:43 PM | #

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I will approve of the Robin-Barney love affair if and only if they let it last as long as the show because if it's just for stunt, then Barney isn't that good of a "bro" because that was so breaking the code, as in, there's no going back broken. Although Ted shouldn't have a problem with it (neither did Ross after getting drunk) since he knows he and Robin want different lives.

Ritchie | Apr 23, 2008 9:48:33 PM | #

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OMG that was so unexpected, WTF!?!?!

Gary | Apr 23, 2008 10:00:44 PM | #

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Absolutely NOT!!!
don't like it at all. i got a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach at that moment. if i was the writer / director / producer i would have teased it and let it pass. it would have then been funny instead of tense. unless they were going for the OMG reaction - then they hit it.

robin is looking hotter every episode though. since they've already established that "mother" is not robin but the girl from the night club that ted bumped into (...lost his phone and ended up with the yellow umbrella. i know it's pure speculation but they foreshadowed) so I guess they feel that they have free reign to explore all possibilities of hookups. it's possible that i've assimilated with these characters so much that it feels like they are cheating on the viewer. i didn't like it. not one bit.

incidentally, i love the barney character. just like i loved the dan fielding character on night court, alan alda on MASH, even james spader as alan shore on boston legal. these writers for these parts must have a blast creating pure insanity. simply brilliant!

richard | Apr 23, 2008 10:47:53 PM | #

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maybe they'll do one of those lame "just woke up from a dream" sequences to get out of this uncomfortable madness!!

rb | Apr 23, 2008 10:50:17 PM | #

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I think the hook-up was bound to happen, but it's not going to be a permanent thing. I see it as a way to develop both Robin and Barney. Maybe this little fling will make Robin realize that she's ready for a serious relationship, and Barney may learn that life is more than a string of one night stands.
Hopefully it was just a one time mistake because I cannot see them together in the long run.

Either way, I felt the end of the episode was just a bit off. Seeing them make out just didn't sit right with me, but it will create some interesting plot elements down the road.

I still think that Ted and Robin will end up together when it's all said and done. Just because she's not the mother doesn't mean the door is closed on Ted & Robin.

MC | Apr 24, 2008 1:42:18 AM | #

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I'm also leaning towards the against the barney/robin relationship side. What makes Barney so awesome is that he's a player!

And the results for American Idol! AMERICA GOT IT WRONG AGAIN! Carly Smithson did a much better job than Brooke White and Jason Castro, as did Syesha! The popularity contest is realyl driving me insane! I literally cried! Carly is the shinizzle, with an amazing voice AND personality! She took it well and didn't regret a thing! That's the kind of idol America needs!

Karen | Apr 24, 2008 2:48:24 AM | #

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I will always remember Rick Worthy as Ricky Latrell, the basketball superstar who killed his wife in Murder One, which was one of the three best shows in the history of television.

Dan H | Apr 24, 2008 5:06:46 AM | #

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Robin and Barney are the "ideal" hookup. Robin has alwyas been really afraid of commitment, a prime reason for breaking up with Ted. Barney has no sense of commitment. So why not get together with no thought of it lasting. Now the turn around would be if they did commmit and even get married before Ted. Now that would be a shocker.

Tom | Apr 24, 2008 5:44:10 AM | #

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I'm not sure which pairing that seems to be in the works has more potential to ruin one of my favorite shows...Robin/Barney or an Actually-Not-A-Walker Rebecca hooking up with Justin. EW!

ferretrick | Apr 24, 2008 5:51:22 AM | #

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Where Have I Seen Them Before: How 'bout that Chicago Hope reunion on NCIS this week: Mark Harmon, Lauren Holly and special guest Rocky Carroll.

pop vulture | Apr 24, 2008 6:38:28 AM | #

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I love the whole Barney and Robin hook up. This has been foreshadowed since season 1, so why was it a shock? I didn't even think about what Ted's reaction might be until I saw the description of next week's episode (and even then it took me a while because the title distracted me, yay for goat in the bathtub!).

Jen | Apr 24, 2008 6:56:29 AM | #

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You know how the "father" Ted always refers to Barney and Robin as Uncle Barney and Aunt Robin to the kids. Maybe they are married in the future? But I would prefer they don't hook them up in a serious relationship too quickly. Have them realize this was a mistake now, but bring them back together later? Just a thought. Although, that is very Ross/Rachel. As long as they don't do it 100 times, it should work.

Stephanie | Apr 24, 2008 7:00:26 AM | #

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As someone noted, neither are about settling down, so I think hilarity would happen if one falls and the other doesn't, or if they both try to be the dominant force in the relationship. So yeah, hook 'em up now, bring em back together later, whatever, just as long as it isn't a permanent hookup for the length of the series. That would change personalities too much for the length of the series.

John | Apr 24, 2008 8:27:08 AM | #

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come on why wouldn't Barney want to hook up with Robin? I don't think he cares about the Bro Code too much, its Barney, its all about more girls more fun. Though, I can't see Barney treating Robin like the other girls he's dated or scored with. That would be weird! Maybe they hookup and then act like it never happened

onslaught51 | Apr 24, 2008 3:34:28 PM | #

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If Robin and Barney have sex I'm done with the show.

b | Apr 24, 2008 5:26:13 PM | #

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>"The Unit returns to the schedule next Tuesday, April 29 at 9 p.m. on CBS... Repeats will also air on May 6 and May 13."

Update: CBS just announced that the Tuesday, 9:00 p.m. timeslot will be taken over by Shark.

Mark | Apr 24, 2008 7:14:45 PM | #

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No to Robin/Barney. Yes to Justin/Rebecca

John | Apr 24, 2008 8:21:15 PM | #

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I am not at all against the pairing of Robin and Barney, but I would not call them the Monica/Chandler of the show...No, I think of Lily/Marshall as the Monica/Chandler of the show!

PGP | Apr 24, 2008 8:23:36 PM | #

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I am not at all against the pairing of Robin and Barney, but I would not call them the Monica/Chandler of the show...No, I think of Lily/Marshall as the Monica/Chandler of the show!

PGP | Apr 24, 2008 8:24:13 PM | #

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No to HIMYM - cancel this crap already

Tom | Apr 24, 2008 8:42:23 PM | #

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Lily and Marshal are definitely the Monica/Chandler of HIMYM.

John | Apr 24, 2008 9:01:02 PM | #

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OH! Please bring Eli Stone, my favorite show this year!!!
ABC please!!!

Catherine | Apr 25, 2008 2:57:54 AM | #

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how does being called uncle barney mean he's married to aunt robin? they have the same relationship with ted regardless of their marital status.

i don't care one way or the other about barney and robin hooking up. i'll still watch the show either way. i'll still watch brothers and sisters if rebecca and justin hook up, but i totally think that's disgusting. they've been bro and sis for way too long.

carrie | Apr 25, 2008 10:17:43 PM | #

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How I Met Your Mother is so calculatedly artificial, I don't think it really matters if a "hookup" between Barney and Robin is believable. Barney as a character is so silly the only thing that matters is if the story is funny. So far, it isn't really, but it's early days yet.

Tego Livi | Apr 27, 2008 12:32:13 PM | #

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Robin is barney's type...HOT... and she has secretly wanted barney since she pretended to be his girl to catch the saboteur! maybe even longer (8.3 second rule)!.... in my opinion GO BARNEY
Ps: do u think she made the scrapbook?

zac | Apr 28, 2008 10:37:46 AM | #

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Regarding Robin and Barney:

I think the Monica/Chandler comparison holds up far better than the Rachel/Joey comparison for the following reason:

Courtney Cox and Matthew Perry have incredible romantic chemistry together while Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc have absolutely zero chemistry.

Robin/Cobie Smoulders[1] and Barney/NPH have mucho substantial romantic chemistry.

-- Rob

[1] Deliberate misspelling/mispronunciation of Cobie Sm(o)ulder's last name officially condoned in HIMYM season 1 commentary tracks. I'd say that I'm following their lead, but I was pronuncing Smoulders and "HIM-YIM" within days of the show's s1 premiere, much less s1 DVD release date.

Rob (ShutUpRob) | Apr 29, 2008 11:29:57 AM | #

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A big NOOO to the R/B hook-up! Robin needs to be with news-man Sandy Rivers from Season 1! (for the only and selfish reason that I want Alexis Denisof back on my TV...)

GirlNextDoor | May 2, 2008 7:05:11 AM | #

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"Robin is barney's type...HOT... and she has secretly wanted barney since she pretended to be his girl to catch the saboteur!"
Did anyone other than me think that Robin was the saboteur?

I really don't like the R/B thing. I don't think I'm much of a prude, but I'm uncomfortable with all the casual sex. Casual both from the characters' point of view, but also from the writers' point of view; "hey let's have two people have sex just to create a plot point!"

But really, the relationships on the show have never been the stong suit. It's all too contrived. The whole R/T "We're perfect for each other, but we can't be together because of plot requirement, wait, let's try it one more time, wait, no" annoys me. And in one episode, Marshall says to Ted, "We don't need another Barney". From the audience's point of view, this makes sense: one amoral character is entertaining, two is just depressing. But from an internal logic point of view, it doesn't make sense. If Marshall isn't okay with Ted acting like Barney, why is he okay with Barney acting like Barney?

anonymous | May 2, 2008 9:22:35 PM | #

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I love Barney and Robin hooking up. I've wanted to see that since the wingman episode season 1. And the two actors have incredible chemistry.

Now I just don't want the show ruined because of it.

soumynana | May 3, 2008 9:49:11 AM | #

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i think it will be cool near the end of the series' life like the monica/chandler thing.

and i also think the wingman episode started the idea of them getting together.

peter | May 4, 2008 2:45:13 PM | #

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Never really liked Ted/Ro but Barney/Ro fantastic pairing with a good chemistry

katie | May 14, 2008 12:05:08 AM | #

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