In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh and Craig are joined by longtime HIMYM writer and producer Courtney Kang to break down Season 1, Episode 4: “Return of the Shirt.” Together, they explore the emotional roots of the story—from the awkwardness of rekindling old relationships to the anxiety of breaking up with someone (twice, on their birthday, at a surprise party). They also highlight how this episode marks a turning point for Robin as a comedic character and showcases one of the earliest examples of the show’s signature blend of heart and absurdity. Plus, the real story behind the sock monkey, the birth of the “ineffable” joke, and why Belle and Sebastian helped define the HIMYM vibe.

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Betterhelp: How We Made Your Mother is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/yourmother

Quince: Get free shipping and 365-day returns at https://quince.com/yourmother

Advertising inquiries:

[email protected]

AND IN CASE IT HELPS:

02:18 Writer's Journey and Personal Growth

06:06 The Complexity of Relationships

10:48 The Role of the Shirt in the Episode

18:29 The Dynamics of Ted and Robin

27:13 The Writer's Room Experience

35:14 The Art of Comedy and Writing

40:45 The Journey of a TV Writer

44:00 The Magic of Sock Monkeys and Montages

49:23 Memorable Moments from the Shoot

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In this bonus General Questions episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh, Craig, and Alek dive deep into how How I Met Your Mother actually got made. They walk through the production week—from table reads to rewrites, from blocking to shooting—and share behind-the-scenes memories from the early days of the show. They also revisit the creation of the show’s opening credits, the music choices that almost happened, and the story behind Barney’s first big catchphrase. A true behind-the-scenes look at how television comes together—complete with New York Street, Liberty Bell licking, and Barney zipped in a suitcase.

Questions We Attempt to Answer in This Episode:

How far into filming did you create the opening sequence and bar photos?

Was the opening montage made just for this episode?

Is the basement in this episode the same as Stella’s house later in the series?

Did the studio or network have to approve the title sequence?

What was a typical production week like for Josh and Craig?

How did scripts get delivered to the cast?

Did actors ever feel responsible for jokes being cut after table reads?

What sets were permanent and which ones changed?

What was it like filming on New York Street?

Where did the idea of picking up girls at the airport come from?

Is Barney actually successful at picking up women in the early episodes?

How many takes did it take to film the police room scene with Neil?

Were there a lot of bloopers in season one?

Was Ted too bummed out in this episode?

Why do they keep hanging out with Barney?

Who came up with “legend—wait for it—dary”?

Did Chris Miller and Phil Lord invent some of Barney’s signature language?

How many HIMYM fans have actually tried to lick the Liberty Bell?

Why was there drink service on a flight from NYC to Philly?

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

Advertising inquiries:

[email protected]

AND IN CASE IT HELPS:

00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Episode

01:41 Behind the Scenes of Episode Production

06:45 The Table Read Experience

10:10 Script Revisions and Feedback Process

17:00 Shooting Schedule and Production Insights

21:32 The Writer's Room: Crafting Ideas and Characters

22:01 Barney's Character: The Comedic Genius

26:00 Memorable Scenes: Bloopers and Behind-the-Scenes Fun

30:08 The Evolution of Humor: Legendary Moments

34:21 Friendship Dynamics: Ted and Barney's Relationship

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In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh and Craig revisit “The Sweet Taste of Liberty” and talk about how it marked a shift in tone for the show. The episode introduced Barney’s cartoonish side, the “legend—wait for it—dary” catchphrase, and a more outrageous style of storytelling. They discuss the influence of writers Chris Miller and Phil Lord, the origins of Barney’s character, and the episode’s mission to answer two big questions: Why is this wild man part of the friend group? And how do Robin and Lily become friends?

The conversation also explores how Ted became more reactive in this episode, the challenge of balancing sitcom energy with character growth, and how early episodes were still “auditioning” the show’s style. They end with heartfelt letters from listeners about how How I Met Your Mother impacted their lives—and Craig shares his personal story about making the show while navigating his own family’s medical crisis, adding emotional depth to the series and the podcast.

Make sure to listen through to the end, when Craig Thomas will announce the permanent fundraising campaign of this podcast, How You Make a Difference, raising money for congenital heart disease.

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR:

Nutrafol: Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol at nutrafol.com and use the code YOURMOTHER.

Advertising inquiries:

[email protected]

AND IN CASE IT HELPS:

00:00 Emotional Growth Through Television

07:14 The Creative Process Behind 'How I Met Your Mother'

14:00 Character Dynamics and Relationships

21:04 The Evolution of Storytelling in Sitcoms

30:54 The Creative Process Behind Iconic Moments

32:41 Balancing Character Arcs and Storytelling

35:49 The Role of Chaos and Creation in Relationships

39:03 Exploring Vulnerability and Masculinity

43:23 Fan Impact and Personal Stories

55:08 The Timelessness of Love and Resilience

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In this bonus General Questions episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh, Craig, and Alek respond to listener questions all about “Purple Giraffe.” They cover everything from how Josh and Cobie developed their early on-screen chemistry to the symbolism of the rooftop and the origin of the show’s callbacks. The team also weighs in on the fan-created “purple vs. yellow” theory, share behind-the-scenes wardrobe details, and talk about how real-life relationships and experiences made their way into the show’s characters.

They reflect on what it felt like filming the second episode after the pilot, how the roof became such a central location, and the challenge of balancing screen time in a packed episode. It’s a mix of thoughtful answers, personal stories, and a few very specific snack preferences.

Questions We Attempt to Answer in This Episode:

How did Josh and Cobie build their chemistry so quickly on screen?

How did you keep track of callbacks throughout the series?

What’s your favorite kind of dip?

What were you actually drinking at the bar?

Was the mood different filming episode 2 compared to the pilot?

What inspired the rooftop setting, and do you have personal connections to it?

How did you approach casting smaller roles like Carlos?

What’s the story behind John Bernthal’s early appearance on the show?

How did wardrobe choices affect your performance, especially for Ted?

Why did Marshall and Lily’s relationship start out so strong and established?

What’s the purple vs. yellow theory, and did you plan it?

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

Advertising inquiries:

[email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh and Craig revisit How I Met Your Mother’s second episode, “Purple Giraffe.” They talk about the pressure of following up the pilot, the decision to structure the story around three parties, and how the show continued to play with time and storytelling. They also reflect on Ted’s optimism, his flaws, and what this episode reveals about his character.

The episode includes behind-the-scenes stories about writing, editing, and production, including how the purple giraffe came to be and why the rooftop scene was so important. Josh shares what it was like navigating early fame, and his wife Jordana offers thoughtful insight into Ted’s emotional growth.

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Surfshark: Go to https://surfshark.com/yourmother and use code YOURMOTHER for 4 extra months of Surfshark.

Advertising inquiries:

[email protected]

AND IN CASE IT HELPS:

03:08 Creating Episode Two: Purple Giraffe

06:13 The Challenges of Writing a Second Episode

09:03 The Great Gatsby Influence

17:57 The Essence of Ted Mosby

20:49 Balancing Humor and Heart

35:16 The Art of Cinematic Storytelling

40:39 Ted's Journey: The Tug of War Between Control and Destiny

49:00 The Evolution of Ted: From Childish Dreams to Adult Realities

59:00 Audience Engagement and Community Connection

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In this bonus episode, Josh Radnor, Craig Thomas, and producer Alek Lev answer your General Questions—rapid-fire style! From the origin of the “major problem / general question” salute, to behind-the-scenes memories from the pilot, and how Ted’s infamous blue French horn heist was conceived, this episode dives into your burning curiosities.

They also reflect on what older Ted would say to younger Ted, how Bob Saget became the voice of future Ted, and the surprising story of how Carl the Bartender ended up on the show.

Questions Answered in This Episode:

What line from the pilot became Josh’s personal mantra and the name of his corporation?

What’s the origin of the “general question / major problem” salute joke?

What advice would older Ted give to younger Ted in the pilot?

Why did you cast Bob Saget as the voice of future Ted?

When did the cast start to realize the group chemistry was special?

Did you film all the future kids’ scenes at once?

Do you remember watching the pilot for the first time?

How much did test audience reactions and executive notes influence the show?

What did the actors know about what was coming for their characters?

What inspired the blue French horn?

Did anyone keep the blue French horn? (Hint: Yes, and it’s in Josh’s house.)

What’s the real story behind casting Carl the Bartender?

What were your biggest writing influences for the pilot?

What movies helped inspire Ted as a character?

Will the podcast be filmed? (Yes—check YouTube!)

What was the biggest challenge in transitioning Robin into the full group after the pilot?

Why would Robin, who lives in Brooklyn, be hanging out on the Upper West Side so much?

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

Advertising inquiries:

[email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Josh Radnor and Craig Thomas kick off the official rewatch of the PILOT episode of How I Met Your Mother! They reflect on the origin of the series, the narrative complexity of the show’s storytelling, and the way the pilot sets up the entire series—from Ted’s romantic optimism to Barney’s legendary schemes.

They also revisit memories from filming, discuss the impact of the show’s themes on fans, and answer the big question: If they could rename the first episode, what would it be?

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

BetterHelp: How We Made Your Mother is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/yourmother

Mint Mobile: If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans at mintmobile.com/yourmother

Advertising inquiries:

[email protected]

AND IN CASE IT HELPS:

03:10 Antidote to Loneliness

08:59 Character Dynamics and Relationships

15:03 The Hero's Journey of Ted Mosby

21:00 The Art of Storytelling in the Pilot

27:02 The Cinematic Quality of the Pilot

39:31 Editing and Narrative Structure

43:57 Character Development and Themes

49:22 Fan Reactions and Expectations

01:01:44 The Impact of the Show on Fans

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When we sat down with Carter Bays to talk about the development of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, we just couldn’t stop talking. And by the end, we found that we had two episodes on our hands: We had HOW WE GOT IT MADE, detailing the ins and outs of pitching, selling, casting, and finally making HIMYM. But we also have our first bonus episode, HOW CRAIG MET CARTER, about the legendary meeting at Wesleyan University of the HIMYM creators, their musical and comedy collaborations through their work at THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, right up until the moment they first pitched HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER to their agent. (Read more in our Substack post.)

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES:

[email protected]

AND IN CASE IT HELPS:

00:00 The Unexpected Journey Begins

03:11 From College Friends to Comedy Partners

06:01 The MTV Internship Experience

12:08 The Power of Collaboration

14:59 The Suit Connection: Identity and Choice

17:49 Breaking into the Industry

20:56 The Letterman Experience

23:56 Lessons Learned from Late Night Writing

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On this week's episode of How We Made Your Mother, we welcome the most special of guests: The co-creator, co-writer, co-showrunner and Executive Producer of How I Met Your Mother, the legendary... Carter Bays!

If you’ve ever wondered how you get a show on the air, especially one that is all framed as a flashback, or one that is framed as a flashback and uses even more flashbacks (and flashforwards) in that flashback, or one that is framed as a flashback and uses flashbacks and flashforwards that also has its characters evolve and change, oh and also has maybe 65 or 70 scenes per episode and sometimes will take a few minutes break from comedy to go full drama, oh and has a really long, bizarre title, oh that is being written by two guys who look young enough to be their own kids…

… well this is the podcast episode for you. This is How We Got it Made.

Later this week, look out for a bonus episode, where Carter and Craig talk about how they met, played music together, were hired by Letterman, and all their stops on the road to HIMYM.

Spoilers: In this ep of the pod, we don't dive into a specific HIMYM episode juuuuust yet. NEXT week, we begin our official episode rewatch, starting with the How I Met Your Mother pilot. Rewatch with us and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Donate to our ongoing campaign to support congenital heart disease research

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Nutrafol: Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol at nutrafol.com and enter the code YOURMOTHER

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES:

[email protected]

AND IN CASE IT HELPS:

00:00 The Impact of 'How I Met Your Mother' on Personal Lives

04:46 The Journey of Pitching the Show

14:54 Creating a Unique Narrative Structure

20:05 Casting Challenges and Triumphs

30:14 The Audition Experience

35:48 Creating Robin Scherbatsky

44:09 The Pressure of Network Tests

49:30 Listener Stories and Reflections

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Welcome to How We Made Your Mother, a new weekly podcast, rewatching 208 episodes of How I Met Your Mother. In our inaugural episode, Josh Radnor (“Ted Mosby”) and Craig Thomas (co-creator) discuss the origins of this podcast, and lay out some of the questions and themes they look to explore.

EPISODES MENTIONED:

Return of the Shirt (Season 1, Episode 4)

The Pineapple Incident (Season 1, Episode 10)

Drumroll, Please (Season 1, Episode 13)

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

Official Website (Send us your audio and written messages)

Substack (Join the mailing list, get announcements, and read more from Josh and Craig)

Instagram

TikTok

AND MORE:

Josh’s “Museletters” on Substack

Josh’s Official Website

Josh on Spotify

Craig’s Official Website (with links to his published writing)

Alek’s “Dead Fathers Society” on Substack

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Betterhelp: How We Made Your Mother is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/yourmother

Quince: Get free shipping and 365-day returns at https://quince.com/yourmother

Surfshark: Go to https://surfshark.com/yourmother for 4 extra months of Surfshark.

Advertising inquiries:

[email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices