How I Met Your Mother’s Cobie Smulders Explained Why She’d Whisper ‘Extremely Inappropriate’ Things To Josh Radnor Right Before Filming An Intimate Scene

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Even a decade after its ending, How I Met Your Mother remains one of the most amusing shows on Hulu for many viewers, despite the much-debated finale. Numerous fans continue to enjoy it, attributing this to the humor, characters, plotlines, and other elements that make the series engaging. With numerous behind-the-scenes revelations emerging in recent times, and Cobie Smulders recently disclosing her reasons for whispering suggestive comments to Josh Radnor during more explicit scenes, the show remains an excellent choice for a lengthy binge.

Smulders featured on the podcast “How We Made Your Mother,” hosted by Radnor and co-creator Craig Thomas of HIMYM fame. Longtime viewers of the show are well aware that Ted and Robin shared a unique bond, with their status as endgame being confirmed in the final scene. During the conversation, Smulders spoke candidly about the amusing, private instances she would occasionally share with Radnor during the filming of intimate scenes. These anecdotes, though they might sound extraordinary, were apparently instrumental:

As a film critic, I found myself frequently sharing close-knit moments with my co-star, Josh. In an attempt to keep things light and avoid awkwardness, I’d often try to share a humorous or off-color joke just before we began shooting our scenes.

Whispering inappropriate lines not only creates an atmosphere, but also alleviates tension. Having a compatible co-actor certainly aids in this, which seems evident in the numerous scenes shared by Ted and Robin. Given that Jason Radnor and Alyson Hannigan spent a lot of time together on set, it’s natural to assume they’d work towards feeling at ease with each other. During a podcast interview, Hannigan expanded on the process of preparing for intimate scenes, praising Radnor’s role in the process as well.

In acting, there’s a concept known as ‘the prelude moment,’ which is crucial during an audition. The idea is to make it appear as if the action starts immediately after the scene begins, even though there may have been a whole backstory. To help the other actor, I thought it was important to establish what this prelude moment entailed. Often, it involved the events leading up to the current situation, and in many cases, it had a sexual undertone.

According to actor testimonies, portraying intimate scenes can be challenging, leading to the need for intimacy coordinators on sets to guarantee authenticity and comfort. For Cobie Smulders, her priority is ensuring that everyone she works with feels at ease. Her connection with Radnor was apparent from the start, making it effortless to become comfortable around him. Smulders added that…

In a more conversational manner: I consider myself a thoughtful actor. I find it natural to focus on my scene partner and ensure we have a strong connection. Before we begin, I often share a brief backstory about our characters and the situation that brought us together. This usually catches Josh off guard, but it helps him get into character swiftly, as evidenced by the color that rushes to his cheeks. For those watching, his face turns red.

Eventually, Craig Thomas sought an example of the conversation between the two actors prior to filming an intimate scene amidst their joviality. But Josh Radnor declined, and Cobie Smulders suggested considering the most awkward or unpleasant scenario, which is what it felt like. In the end, Radnor conceded and shared a story about Neil Patrick Harris whispering something offensive to him; however, he acknowledged that Smulders’ tales were far more outrageous than his own experiences.

She would coordinate her timing so perfectly that she would complete her statement, execute a flawless finish, they would call “action,” and I would be left speechless. Those moments are cherished, yet at the same time, I was left spellbound by Cobie’s genius. Perhaps there’s a way to capitalize on this, Cobie, if acting isn’t an option anymore, you understand my drift? I believe you could pen the steamiest romance novels instead.

Regrettably, fans can only speculate about the amusing anecdotes Smulders might have shared with Radnor before filming their intimate scenes. Given that these discussions likely contained adult content, it adds an extra layer of humor to the situation. Even though the situations back then were undoubtedly outrageous, Radnor now admires his co-star for her eloquence.

It’s quite astounding, really, the intricate storytelling abilities you possess – I’ve never encountered anything quite like it before. There’s always a certain level of surprise that accompanies your work, but it’s also surprisingly captivating in its uniqueness.

It’s uncertain if Smulders will ever reveal what she might tell Radnor, but it’s delightful that their exchange has become a private joke between them. I can only imagine how amusing it would be to listen in on their witty banter.

You can watch the entire run of one of the greatest sitcoms ever made, “How I Met Your Mother”, by subscribing to Netflix.

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2025-05-20 23:56