In this General Questions episode following Mary the Paralegal, Josh, Craig, and Alek explore fan-submitted questions ranging from the origins of catchphrases like “Lawyered” and the logic behind character names, to deeper themes like miscommunication and the emotional cost of avoiding vulnerability. They reflect on moments from the show that became iconic (telepathic conversations, Barney’s antics, mustache-on-TV gags), and share behind-the-scenes details like how Buzz Aldrin inspired Lily’s last name. They also dive into how assumptions, pretending, and silence shaped the story of Mary the Paralegal, and how telepathy became a comedic counterpoint to all the unspoken truths.

Questions Alek asks in this episode:

Who came up with “Lawyered”?

Was Marshall based on your friend Noah?

How did you decide on the characters’ last names?

What was the original idea behind “Aldrin”?

What was the inspiration for the “telepathic conversation” bit?

Was the “MadTV” VHS tape on purpose?

How much damage do we do when we make assumptions instead of asking the hard questions?

And why is pretending always easier than being vulnerable?

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Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

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