Warning: The following contains spoilers for How I Met Your Father,
Now streaming on Hulu (US) and Disney + (UK).
How I Met Your Mother is a classic sitcom that entertained a whole generation over nine seasons and nine years – but now there’s a new kid on the block; How I Met Your Father – but is it worth watching?
You might be thinking ‘great my favourite show is back,’ sorry to disappoint but it’s not the original – the producers of the show have said that HIMYF should be considered a completely separate show from the original.
And even Hilary Duff, one of the producers and stars, has said it is not a reboot. But it is worth watching, I promise you.
The show features Sophie (Hilary Duff), as a hopeless romantic in New York City (of course), who works as a street photographer and lives with her best friend Valentina. Basically, it could be argued that she is as Ted was to the original show.
What References Does It Have To The Original Show
“Thanks. It was a total score. We got it from this old married couple who posted it on the Wesleyan alumni group. We even got them to leave their swords,” Jesse replies. (Episode 1 – Pilot)
Yes, you heard it correctly. Jesse and Sid, two of the main protagonists live in Ted, Lily and Marshal’s old apartment in New York City.
While the show is not a reboot, there are plenty of references to the original show – more of a disconnect sequel. The iconic apartment was one of the centre pieces of the HIMYM, being home to many of the characters at different times. The swords that decorated the mantle piece are still here in 2022 and the show does feature similar choice line some fan of the original will instantly get, such as ‘have you met’ pick up line in episode 4.
There are plenty of other small Easter eggs from HIMYM in MHIYF but only true fans of the show will pick up on those tiny details and if I listed them here this article will never end.
Who Are The HIMYF Cast?
Hilary Duff, plays Sophie, a young women who has just turned 30 years old, and is desperately searching for love in NYC. Many fans have said that it reminds Duff playing Sophie, reminds them of a grown up Lizzie McGuire.
However, you can really see Hillary Duff shedding that Disney Channel skin and leaving Lizzie McGuire behind. Lizzie McGuire will always live on in our hearts, but it is about time for Hillary Duff to be seen as someone else and she is great in the role.
The cast also includes, Francia Rasia (Valentina), Chris Lowell (Jesse), Josh Peck (Drew), Tom Ainsley (Charlie), Suraj Sharma (Sid) and Tien Tran (Ellen). These guys may be relatively new faces but they have really good chemistry together.
Is It Relatable To Today’s Generation?
It is very clear that the show is set in 2022. And apart from COVID it makes it pretty relatable to today’s scene.
In the first episode we find out that Sophie is meeting ‘supposed’ love of her life and that she met him through Tinder.
Whilst not all of us have found our significant others through dating apps, I’m sure that many of us out there have tried it at least once. Even if you did not meet the love of your life on Tinder it is still pretty easy to relate to some of Sophie’s problems.
The show also uses some up-to date references that most people have heard of by now ‘they Meghan Markled you’ when referring to the rich British newcomer that has been cut off by his family by running after Sophie’s friend Valentina, to New York.
Not only that but the show even features references to TikTok and the app’s viral dance trends.
While you can say you are a little disappointed because it will never be as good as the original, it might speak more to viewers who were not old enough to have watched the original series when it first came out.
So, Is ‘How I Met Your Father’ Worth Watching?
Absolutely, it’s a really cute show that deserves more recognition. Same with every first season it’s still finding itself, but you can tell producers are working hard behind the scenes to make it unique and not make it a reboot of the original.
Whilst the How I Met Your Mother is a classic sitcom, if you liked it you definitely should give How I Met Your Father a watch. It’s probably not for everyone but before saying no, give it a go.
There are currently eight episodes with ten episodes planned for season one, but recently Hulu announced that it has already been renewed for a second season that will have 20 episodes.
Get watching today, the show airs on Tuesdays on Hulu (US) and on Wednesdays on Disney + (UK). This is set to be the next big sitcom.