In the HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER episode that aired Monday January 11th, 2010, entitled Girls Vs. The Suit, three new additions keep the episode fresh and funny. While the general premise (Ted Mosby is on his quest to find his wife, but tells the story from the future to his children, and we still don't know who he marries and it's season 5) remains the same, these new additions to this episode helped to keep the audience hooked. A major issue for this series is the fact that the general premise is constantly being teased out and the audience is constantly being teased, too. This can be frustrating and annoying as it constantly reminds the audience that something very important is being withheld. But, that said, the characters are fully fleshed out. So, these new additions that made January 11th's episode even more amazing? See below.
1) Rachel Bilson. Not only is she a fresh, funny face which adds to the cast, but her character is key. Her bubbly personality is perfect for the character which is...Ted's wife's roommate! This is one of the examples of the show teasing us with the final goal: meeting Ted's wife. Bilson really shows depth and maturity in this small role on the well-known sitcom. She clearly has grown up since her time as the ditz on THE O.C. So while Bilson's appearance was minor, she really brings the cast new freshness and her character is a key part of the premise of the show.
2) Tim Gunn. Anyone who knows anything about fashion knows Tim Gunn. So while I am pleasantly surprised by his appearance, it reminded me about how the business works. The fact that Gunn's show PROJET RUNWAY was beginning it's 7th season later that week, the coincidence is really more of a publicity ploy. He appeared as Neil Patrick Harris's personal tailor (this is particularly funny as the fact that Barney, NPH's character, is rarely seen out of a suit, and it is an on-going joke). So while Gunn's acting was nothing too impressive, his out-of-place-ness really worked to bring the scene to a new comedy high. Plus, the show made the conscious choice to acknowledge the real world. This means that the characters in the sitcom know who Tim Gunn is, and perhaps even watch PROJECT RUNWAY. (And on a personal note. I was thrilled as I have met Gunn and think he is just the sweetest person ever).
3) Musical Number. This may be the highlight of the entire episode (and arguably in the whole series). Barney (NPH) goes into a dream-like sequence where he is the star of a broadway show about suits. He sings about the importance of suits, even as though he is singing a triumphant love song to these suits. This is perfect for NPH as he has performed in CABARET and RENT on Broadway. So needless to say, he has every right to bust out a Broadway-style piece. The show-stopper number is a musical-lover's dream. It references SINGIN' IN THE RAIN with the iconic lightpost hang. It pays homage to FAME with his large bravado performance dancing on a cab. And mostly all of the musical number moments are in there: the jazz square, the jazz hands and yes, the kickline. This was an epic full-length number that needs to be re-watched on youtube.
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