Four Guest-Stars

Realizing we may be seeing more of Joe Manganiello as Brad on How I Met Your Mother showed me how the show has seen a rather commendable slew of guest-stars. I’d love to sit down and examine all the guest stars of all three comedies I critique…but HIMYM certainly marches their own parade. The likes of Mandy Moore, Wayne Brady, even Britney Spears, stand up to all other programs equally.

So before we merge into the waiting game for Monday’s new episode, let’s recap the previous, and brilliantly successful, guest-stars:

Mandy Moore’s season 3 character, Amy, was Ted Mosby’s “12” to Robin’s “10,” and helped set up the plot line for later HIMYM episodes (not to mention took part in one of the first episodes to bring up the yellow umbrella). To try and “win” his breakup with Robin, Ted Mosby plans on getting a tattoo in the spirit of one of Amy’s many accomplishments—and follows through, unbeknownst to him the next morning. Hence, the “tramp stamp.”

Comedian Wayne Brady takes up the role as James Stinson, Barney’s black and gay older-brother, as pivotal to his dating scene as Barney is for all of Manhattan proper. However, James’ plot involves not wanting to share his engagement with his long-time bachelor bro; losing his number-one wingman wasn’t in the cards. But Barney comes around once he learns he’ll be an uncle in the long-run, and stands in at James’ wedding as Best Man.

But Britney Spears heralded the most-watched episode of season 3, for the episode Ten Sessions. To show his doctor, Stella, that he’s likeable enough to date, Ted Mosby plays nice to Abby (Britney), her receptionist. His plan backfires when Abby begins to show interest in him instead. Fortunately for Ted—although also unfortunately—Stella finally starts to show her true colors. Unfortunately, because Abby does the same. I’m sure Ted anticipated the run down the street about as much as we did.

All of HIMYM’s guest stars—seasoned actors or not—held their own as colorful, vibrant additions to the cast, if only for a couple episodes. Time to sit tight and see if any make a re-appearance for one of the last seasons for this record-breaking show…or whom the network will bring on board next.