Pilot 

It's the year 2030 and an older Ted Mosby is telling the story to his son and daughter about how he met and will eventually marry their mother. This is where we meet for the first time Ted, Lily, Marshall, Barney and Robin.

Director:

Pamela Fryman

Writers:

Carter Bays (created by), Craig Thomas (created by)

Stars:

Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Josh Radnor	...	Ted Mosby
Jason Segel	...	Marshall Eriksen
Cobie Smulders	...	Robin Scherbatsky
Neil Patrick Harris	...	Barney Stinson
Alyson Hannigan	...	Lily Aldrin
Lyndsy Fonseca	...	Daughter
David Henrie	...	Son
Saba Homayoon	...	Yasmin
Marshall Manesh	...	Ranjit
Joe Nieves	...	Carl
Jack Shearer	...	Cab Driver
Monique Edwards	...	Producer
Sarah Loew	...	Dumped Friend
Gary Riotto	...	Waiter #1
Tony Rossi	...	Waiter #2

Storyline

In Brooklyn, Marshall Eriksen, a terribly insecure, sissy but sweet law student, pops the question to his assertive girlfriend Lily Aldrin, in an inadvertently explosive way (with champagne). This makes their year long cahoot, Ted Mosby, anxious that he may be left all alone. His overbearing 'other best friend', Barney Stinson, forces Ted to play a 'pick-up' game in the bar where he has decided to hunt for Lebanese girls. To both their surprise, Ted actually meets a suitable girlfriend, TV reporter Robin. As soon as he sees her on TV, Ted rushes to her apartment (with five dogs) to declare his love - while the others wait in Bangladeshi Rajit's cab- which startles her.

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Plot Keywords:

new york city | popping a cork | neil patrick harris character | throwing a drink in someone's face | woman wears a red dress | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Features not only the debut of the five main characters, but also the debut of the recurring character Ranjit (Marshall Manesh) who usually works as a driver for the main characters. He has thus far appeared in every season.

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Goofs

During this episode, Ted's kids are dressed differently than they are for the rest of the series. The couch and background are also different. (The implication during the series is that, the whole show is meant to be a story being told in one sitting.)

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Quotes

Ted: [arriving at Robin's apartment] Okay. Moment of truth. Wish me luck.
Barney: Ted's gonna get it on with a TV reporter. "This just in." Okay.
Lily Aldrin: Kiss her, Ted! Kiss her good!
Marshall Eriksen: Kiss the crap out of that girl!
Ted: Marshall, remember this night. When you're the best man at our wedding and you give a speech, you're gonna tell this story.
Barney: Why does he get to be the best man? I'm your best friend!

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Connections

Featured in How I Met Your Mother: Doppelgangers (2010)

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Soundtracks

Cigarettes And Coffee
(uncredited)
Written by Otis Redding
Performed by Otis Redding

User Reviews

Best pilot ever

Best pilot ever , best characters and good screenplay to start with

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 2005 (USA)

Filming Locations:

CBS Studio Center - 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bays Thomas Productions, 20th Century Fox Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

22 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1