‘How I Met Your Mother’ Star Jason Segal Was “Unhappy” While Filming

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As a fan who’s watched countless episodes of “How I Met Your Mother,” I can say that the show was a rollercoaster ride of emotions, laughter, and heartache. But, it wasn’t just the characters on screen who were going through the wringer. Behind the scenes, Jason Segel was working tirelessly, writing scripts during breaks from filming, only to start the next season immediately after.

One of the most cherished American sitcoms ever made is “How I Met Your Mother”. Despite the debated ending, its nine seasons have earned a place among sitcom royalty. In the story, Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) narrates to his children how he met their mother – hence the title’s origin. As Ted navigates love, his friend Marshall (portrayed by Jason Segel) develops feelings for Lily (Alyson Hannigan), while Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris), known for his womanizing ways, gradually learns to embrace his emotions for Robin (Cobie Smulders). Working on “HIMYM” seemed as enjoyable as it was for viewers to watch the series. However, Jason Segel referred to his experience on the set as “exhausting”.

During an interview with GQ, Jason Segel reminisced about the busy work life he led during the height of “How I Met Your Mother.” Despite the glamorous appearance of Hollywood to us commoners, many actors put in a tremendous amount of effort to bring their own projects to life and seldom have time for rest. Jason Segel is one such actor. He elaborated on his demanding schedule by stating:

During one year, I was simultaneously working on writing a film, all while filming “How I Met Your Mother.” Later, a break occurred, and I had the chance to shoot the movie I’d penned before diving into the new television season.

During the run of HIMYM, Segel admitted he was constantly drained, expressing this as, “I was feeling extremely tired.” It took him some time to comprehend why work seemed so unappealing during that period. He speculated, “Perhaps it’s because I failed to realize that having a personal life outside of work is equally important.

‘How I Met Your Mother’s Most Emotional Moment Was Improvised

Despite its comedic charm, “How I Met Your Mother” was known for tugging at heartstrings too. Characters like Ted, Marshall, and Lily went through various emotional trials, particularly Ted’s romantic tribulations, Marshall and Lily’s relationship woes, and the love triangle between Ted, Barney, and Robin. However, it was Marshall’s bond with his father that was most poignant. Marvin Eriksen Sr., played by Bill Fagerbakke, was a frequent character on the show and shared a strong bond with his sons. In the Season 6 episode titled “Bad News,” after Lilly informed Marshall of his father’s passing, he broke down in heart-wrenching sobs. Interestingly, that entire emotional scene was improvised.

Jason Segel shared that the most captivating scene for him was when his character’s father passed away, but he noticed this scene wasn’t included in the script. This was due to concerns about script leaks during the internet era, where spoilers about upcoming show events frequently surfaced online. Segel explained that the moment was merely scripted as “Lily informs Marshall of some news,” leaving fans guessing if it did indeed leak. “I didn’t know how things would unfold at that instant. That was a unique and memorable night.”

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2024-12-20 00:02