“Little Minnesota” is actually my favorite episode of HIMYM, ever. The Minnesota bar may appear over done but it was perfect for those of us who are Vikings fans. It’s the type of thing that could have been so over the top that it’s stereotypical and “offensive” to Minnesota fans (as happens often when the Midwest is depicted on TV and in movies) but this was done very well.

I think the reason is that it was accurate – any Vikings fan knows the pain of the end of that 1998 season (“Damn!”) and I didn’t even know that Gary Anderson now lives in “Canada” (which is true, according to Wikipedia). Even Jason got into the bit, with the Marshall character wearing Jim Marshall’s actual jersey (at least the number) in the episode.

On the flipside, the Minnesota/Canada bars were PERFECT. I disagree that they are one note and they fit perfectly into the ongoing story of the whole New York blinders that the New York native/convert half of the cast has. Barney and LIly couldn't imagine ever ever living anywhere else, Ted doesn't want to. Marshall and Robin, however, see the benefits of living in, oh, say, Argentina or New Jersey or St. Cloud, and they get homesick for places OTHER than NY. I can understand that.

I too am in agreeance with the Barney carols being the best part of the episode. I showed it to my friends on youtube and now they've started watching season 1 with me.

And now 3 weeks with no new episodes…

Happy hollydays to all who visit this blog and special tip of the hat to Mr. Dickinson for providing this gathering of thoughts on HIMYM, the best comedy show presently on air

I don't recognize the accents but that's what stereotypes are for in comedy. The wearing only a t-shirt is a bit doudbe-edged sword, yeah you don't feel the cold as much as you visit somewhere south but then again you know to always wear enough to be comfy.

For example, I never understand how Londoners refuse to accept it's winter and dress approriately for it.

The main story line of Ted/Ted's sister did not make any sense which is really rare for this series. One acts irresponsibly, then gets annoyed that she is judged by her actions, fakes evidence that she acts irresponsibly and then takes the moral high ground that Ted should have believed she has changed even though there's no reason for Ted to believe that. And Ted agrees with that? Or just loves his sister and doesn't care?

And yes, 'tis true about the alcohol/nudie bar sitch. My 2 best friends from Detroit used to drive over the border into Windsor, Ontario just so they could drink and watch men get fully naked. They're only allowed to strip down to their skivvy's in the USA. SUCKERS!

Just editing this to say that though I think the Marshall and Robin storyline was hilarious, I think the Ted and Heather storyline could have worked better as a full plot on it's own show.

Yes, as a Canadian I also realize most of this is gross generalization. However I give it up in the name of comedy and allow the farces to function (for the most part). However as a southern Ontario guy who spent his share on winters in Thunder Bay, ON (very close to Minnesota) I also get what they're talking about. Let's just leave it at funny… if I really wanted to nitpick I'd go back to the "Mount Waddington" line from season 3

1) haha, yes, fine, canadians say 'ooot' and 'aboot' (just for those not from the great white north, its really only hicks and newfies (newfoundlanders) who sound even close to this). but if you're going to make a joke of it, you gotta get Robin to say "there's only one way to find ooot" when she testing if the 'hoser hut' is a true canadian ex-pat bar.

2) this is my first time on here, so i dont know if its already been talked about. But in 'the intervention', Robin gets drunk and starts reliving great Vancouver Canucks moments (hahaha, she sounded just like me with a sixer of molson canadian in me). this led me to believe she might be from vancouver, cause shes such a die-hard canucks fan. problem with this is that vancouver winters are exactly the same as seattle's: rainy as hell, but NO SNOW (except for this last week actually). so i totally wouldn't believe her thinking its t-shirt weather. basically, I'm asking where in canada everyone think Robin's from? (hey, we know the states where everyone else is from, why not Robin's province?)

Joyeux Noel!

In other news, Jason Segel is starring in "I Love You, Man" and it looks awesome. The trailer is here: http://theboxofficejunkie.com/2008/12/i-love-you-...

I didn't get it either…. but then again, I'm Canadian and I didn't get the dark thing either….

You know, I think they gave the Fargo accents to the Canadians on this show. Seriously, if you compare the way Robin and Simon spoke, to anyone from the film, it's almost a match. Scary – but not as scary as when the lights go out!