The success of a television show relies on its capacity to captivate the audience. The viewers determine which messages deserve their attention and which ones they can overlook. For a television show to thrive, it is essential for the audience to comprehend and interpret the intended message conveyed by the show’s writers. Viewers achieve this by establishing connections between these messages and their prior knowledge and understanding. This process is critical as it entails viewers identifying references and associating them with the meanings they have acquired.
In television shows, getting viewers hooked by creating relatable storylines or characters is crucial for success. Each show has its own unique approach to achieving this. For instance, CBS’ How I Met Your Mother successfully captivates its audience by expressing relatable ideas through its characters and plot.
The concept of sharing the story of how you met your wife (who is also their mother) with your children may seem dull and unoriginal. However, the show’s creators managed to blend romance, intimacy, relationships, and humor into one captivating series. In this examination, I will dissect the show’s content, including both its conspicuous visuals and underlying symbolism. I first stumbled upon this show during a flight when the airline aired an episode that immediately captivated me with its comedic elements.
It had all the qualities I desired in a show and the comedic timing was impeccable. I, myself, fell victim to one of their numerous tactics for captivating the audience. Even my friend sitting beside me on the plane was drawn in, primarily due to the relatable relationship challenges portrayed in the show. How I Met Your Mother successfully presented characters that resonated with every member of its intended viewership. As you become engrossed in the storyline, you find yourself identifying with specific characters. Each individual in HIMYM serves a purpose and their uniqueness is purposeful.
The couple, Marshall and Lilly, who became engaged and later married, have an incredibly close bond and their relationship is both sweet and slightly nauseating, although it’s not without flaws. Their love for each other secretly warms your heart. Ted, who is searching for love, develops feelings for a mutual friend named Robin. The show hints at Ted and Robin being married with two children, to whom Ted narrates the story. And of course, there’s Barney Stinson, who is the odd one out in their group.
Barney is the standout element of the show, providing excitement with his larger-than-life persona and womanizing ways that many men aspire to emulate. Each character contributes in their own way. Ted is the hopeless romantic constantly facing rejection and disappointment in his pursuit of love, which carries on from one episode to another. The central theme revolves around struggle, crisis, and high-stress situations. It captivates and maintains its audience through relatable scenarios.
Ted’s character in the show resonates with many lonely singles who can empathize with his experiences of breakups, dating strangers, and being taken advantage of. Meanwhile, Marshall and Lilly play the role of advice givers and act as figurehead parents in the show. Their relationship is complex, with Lilly holding more power. Marshall’s gentle and affectionate nature often interferes with his daily responsibilities, leading him to struggle with the decision to be assertive or follow rules. Nevertheless, his presence serves to provide a calming influence and make people reconsider their choices. Robin, the attractive single woman in the show, unsurprisingly fits perfectly into this role.
The television show How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM) relies on the attractiveness of its characters to increase ratings, particularly through the sex appeal of one specific character. This character frequently faces humiliation and contains immoral subliminal messages, which will be further discussed. Another character, Mr. Awesome or Barney Stinson, employs comedy to convey sexual content and subtly pushes boundaries with his persona. Viewers who aren’t closely attentive may not always detect these sexual references. However, longtime fans of the show are aware that Barney’s tough and suave image isn’t how he has always been portrayed. In truth, Barney used to be an idealistic young man aspiring to join the Peace Corps and had a serious girlfriend named Shannon. Although this information is not directly revealed in the show, it adds depth to Barney’s character. Like other HIMYM characters, Barney also experiences internal struggles. His troubled past involving emotionally abusive women fuels his hidden anger. As retaliation, he attempts to prove that no woman is deserving of him by resorting to manipulation and deception in order to sleep with them.
During my viewing of How I Met Your Mother, I made the choice to scrutinize its different components. As stated before, Robin’s character subtly communicates ideas about the way women are treated. Right from the start, in the opening scene, I was struck by the objectification of women. The male characters watch women participating in what they call a “walk of shame” on November 1st, right after Halloween. They view this event as a parade and see these women merely as objects meant for their amusement. One of the observed individuals is Robin herself, who is dressed up as a provocative nurse.
The previous night’s events are left unspoken but are clearly inferred from the men’s reactions. Robin’s struggle is now showcased to the audience. The scene then switches to Ted heading to teach his class and encountering a group of protesters expressing their opposition to his upcoming architectural project. His personal battle for this episode is also established. Marshall is seen discussing his work struggles, particularly with an employee, showing his reluctance to terminate anyone despite their deserving it. These transitions occur swiftly and go unnoticed due to the narration.
A significant portion of the show is set in a bar, which serves as a central meeting place for the characters and a location for their discussions. The choice of a bar over other settings, like their homes, makes sense when considering its symbolic meaning. The bar allows characters to come and go freely, emphasizing their freedom and the fact that they can drink away their troubles there. Additionally, it is where Robin and Lilly discuss their sex lives when the guys are absent. The sexual content extends beyond straightforward comments to include jokes as well. For example, Barney remarks that “Marshall popped his cherry,” referring to him firing an employee for the first time. Another scene involves Marshall’s friend fantasizing about Robin in the shower. Sex is a prominent theme in the show, combining with comedy and a compelling story to capture attention. Notably, the show uses flashbacks within its narrative structure.
Adding visuals to the show improves its appeal by visually representing the character interactions. One often ignored aspect of television shows is the impact of advertisers. The commercials shown during this program predominantly target a younger demographic. Restaurant ads are frequently aired during breaks, successfully targeting both genders. Ads aimed at men feature products like Windows laptops, iPhone 3GS, Burger King, and Carl’s Jr. Conversely, women are targeted with commercials endorsing items such as Kristen Bell-endorsed face wash, Target, Kmart, and Groupon.
According to a report from USA Today, How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM) has a strong rating, attracting an audience of 4.7 million viewers aged 18-49. In today’s digital age, media outlets rely on various platforms, including social media, to broaden their reach. HIMYM has an active Facebook page followed by thousands of fans and recently used the platform to announce the renewal of the show for two more seasons. Despite the ongoing mystery surrounding the mother’s identity, HIMYM remains popular and engaging. Getting so absorbed in the storyline that uncovering the mother’s identity is momentarily forgotten is easy.
