5. Cameos That Work
The writers of HIMYM, predominately Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, have consistently shown that with good writing cameos can work. This is because the new characters are seamlessly woven into an existing back story or plot and the main characters are so well written. The excellence of the writing leaves you so invested in the story that the appearance of a familiar face does not feel jarring. This is in stark contrast to most of the cameos in Friends, which felt forced and included just for the sake of having a celebrity fan on the show. Here is another of my lists within a list of the best cameos in HIMYM. John Lithgow. The Oscar winning John Lithgow and star of 3rd Rock From The Sun, Footloose, Terms of Endearment, Cliff Hanger, Shrek, and I am sorry but I loved it, Harry and the Hendersons. He portrays Barneys real Dad, with warmth and emotion. Martin Short, star of some of my favourite films growing up, The Three Amigos, Innerspace and Father of the Bride appears in several episodes as Marshalls boss, displaying some of the physical comedy he is famous for. Cristine Rose, who starred as Angela Petrelli in Heroes is Teds Mum. Nancy Travis, star of 3 Men and a Little Baby and So I Married an Axe Murderer plays Barneys step mum.