Neil Patrick Harris thinks that guest-stars like Britney Spears should be banned from the set of “How I Met Your Mother.” Nothing against Brit personally, he just upholds some belief that the show should not bring guests on board merely for the sake of increased ratings.
The actor, who plays Barney on the show, told The Associated Press in an interview last week,
I’m in the minority that our show does not need stunt casting in order to succeed. I worry that if they start `Will and Grace’-ing us too much, that the show will suffer. And we’re all really proud of the content of the show. I mean, viewership is not our game. It’s the network and the studio’s game, you know. It’s the promotion department’s game.
We wish we weren’t opposite an awkward reality dancing competition, but we have no say about that. I just am a real fan of our content. I think we have a great show going, and I hope it’s not screwed up by the desire for 700,000 more viewers.
Understood. But besides providing entertainment, television exists to make a profit. And who can argue that Britney’s March 24th appearance drew in an extra million viewers AND marked the most-watched episode of the series…ever?
On average, 8 million tune in per episode this season. When the show returned with all-new episodes following the writers strike, it captured 9.6 million viewers the week before Spears’ appearance and slipped back to 9.5 million the week after.
Still, not bad numbers. He should not be complaining!
[Wenn]
Loading ...
He is just jealous no one cares what he does! Of all the comments by the cast on this show, he was always the most anti-britney. He seems to have something to prove. Oh Well! You can’t win them all.
All in all Britney didn’t up the viewership that much. Alot of people probably tuned into the show hoping for the trainwreck Britney. Not because they were really interested in Britney. As an actress she’s really only so so. At least right now. Maybe as she continues to get well she’ll get better at it.
This is NOT a great show, it is an acceptable show. They will be very lucky if it ever reaches the greatness of Will and Grace. NPH, I mean Doogie, had better get concerned with viewership if he wants to keep his J.O.B. Art for art’s sake will not keep his show or any other on the air. Me thinks the queen is jealous and doesn’t want to admit that 1 million people would tune in to his show (that normally don’t watch it to see NPH) just to watch Britney! MEOW!
Totally agree. Will and Grace was a million times better than thsi show…with or without guest stars. Secondly, Britney put that show on the radar so he shoudl not be complaining.
Hmmmmmm, I kinda agree with the guy.
I love the show and I watch it every week. I tape
Dancing with the Stars. That show does not need Britney Spears. Yes, I did watch that episode, but I watch all of them.
Doogie is a bitch! I dont watch HIMYM and the only reason I tuned in was to see Britney… he should be greatful that ANY A list celebrity would guest star with his -ZZZ-list ass.. and Will & Grace was an amazing show! he needs to STFU!
I actually understand his point, but you cannot really expect that on mainstream television. That’s the indie way of thinking and that won’t exist in Hollywood. I thought the beauty of what they did was to make Britney a supporting character and not overpower the regulars. And she really did a nice job, too.