As How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM) left the television scene with a legendary bang, die-hard HIMYM fans were left with a gaping hole in their hearts. Suddenly, the show that they had followed for nine full seasons was over, and nothing could possibly fill the emptiness that they felt.
No fear, HIMYM fans. The Observer has found a couple of shows, old and new, that are similar to HIMYM, each with its own unique twist. So rather than re-watching old HIMYM episodes and grieving over the loss of one of TV’s greatest hits, try one of these great finds.
- 1. Friends
Friends can be referred to as the “original” HIMYM. With a long run of 10 seasons, Friends follows six young people as they struggle to survive in the real world yet always find the best of life in their friends. A show about hardship and companionship, Friends similarly tugs on viewers’ heartstrings, teaching them valuable lessons about friends, work and the real world. Friends is a true classic and a must-watch show.
- 2. The Big Bang Theory
With a fan base just as large as HIMYM’s, The Big Bang Theory certainly is just as entertaining and comedy-filled, if not more. The Big Bang Theory features a gang of unlikely friends: a group of socially awkward geniuses and a beautiful community college drop-out. Though The Big Bang Theory does not revolve as much around drama and life lessons as HIMYM does, the comedy focuses on how the friends learn from each other, whether it be the Quantum Brain Dynamics Theory or just simple street smarts.
- 3. New Girl
New Girl, a refreshing series about a quirky, offbeat young woman and three male roommates, has the same loose plot structure as HIMYM, though New Girl’s humor is a little more awkward and the show itself is a little bubblier than what HIMYM fans may be used to. However, New Girl’s cute characters and their relationships will grow on viewers, and they will find themselves laughing along to the silly humor and unusual friendships.
- 4. The Office
Filled with dead-pan humor, awkward situations and hilarious pranks, The Office was an instant hit. Steve Carell stars as the regional manager of the Scranton branch of the paper company Dunder Mifflin. Though this show does not feature any deep life lessons, it is packed with incredible comedy and a storyline that will keep you watching up at 2 a.m.
Though nothing can fully replace the one-of-a-kind HIMYM, these shows that largely emphasize comedy and friendship while adding in some important life lessons are perfect to Netflix-binge on.
