It was announced yesterday during CBS’ upfronts that the How I Met Your Mother spin off How I Met Your Dad was not going to be picked up by the network. CBS Entertainment Chairman Nina Tassler commented:
There were elements on the pilot that didn’t work out. We tried to work out about redoing the pilot. That’s not happening right now. Sometimes you run into these kind of issues and you hope they can resolve themselves in that time frame. I’m heartsick; we loved this brand and we love the producers but it didn’t work out.
While it’s not a total surprise, I am both happy and somewhat saddened by this recent development. While I was one of the dissenters of the way How I Met Your Mother wrapped up, I was interested in seeing how the endearing Greta Gertwig would insert her… humor, into the show. I also think that it would be a great chance to right the wrongs of the original show. Most importantly the length of the story. If the producers and writers were able to agree on a set run length, say four years, and stick to the exit plan and plot points, then I could see a strong entry into CBS’ comedy lineup. I also think that avoiding becoming a sitcom, like Mother did, and being solely a comedy would suit the show as well.
The rights have reverted back to the studio, 20th Century Fox, and they can shop it around elsewhere. Maybe cable. I’d definitely be up for seeing a gritty version of the series. HBO anyone?
Hey, I'm Karl, founder and film critic at Smash Cut. I started Smash Cut in 2014 to share my love of movies and give a perspective I haven't yet seen represented. I'm also an editor at The New York Times, a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, and a member of the Online Film Critics Society.