Could you be friends with Barney from HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER?

Cafe Society
1

I’ve only seen two episodes of this series. In one, the Alyson Hannigan character (Lily?), while having drinks with her platonic friend Barney, is warned by a nameless blond that Barney is pure unblinking evil. This is revealed to be the reason Barney is being rejected by women recently, and the group proceeds to try to track down which of the countless bazillions of possible suspects is stalking and sabotaging Barney’s life; ;and it’s clear that hte Hannigan character is taking great joy in this.

So it’s pretty clear: Barney’s an asshole. He does appear to be an amusing one, though,and loyal to his friends.

So could you remain friends with him? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Poll coming in a minute; smart-aleck replies in thread encouraged.

2

I went for poisoning Barney. He is funny in a TV sitcom, but were I magically transported to the TV sitcom, I would quickly poison Barney and it would turn into CSI: Buffy the Barney Slayer

3

You forgot “would be alone with him/be his wingman, but wouldn’t subject my friends or other associates to him”.

Also, “who else would I get to plan my bachelor party?”.

Seriously though, I think most people know the pros and cons of having a friend that is a little bit wilder than themselves. Can be great potential for loosening up and having more fun or doing things you normally are a little bit shy to do. But they can also get you into trouble and could potentially alienate other people you care about.

Barney’s main fail is his horrible disrespect for women. He does really go far out of his way to make up scenarios which will entice women into sleeping with him. But this is probably just exaggerated for the effect of it being a sitcom. OTOH I don’t think he’d do anything as truly evil as say, spike a drink…

4

In the episode I saw, he mentions that he once sold a woman into slavery. BY ACCIDENT.

5

I’ve only seen the show a couple of times, but I’d much rather put up with a Barney in my life than an insufferable buttinsky like Lily.

6

I like Barney. I would definitely hang with him.
I don’t happen to agree that he’s an asshole. If you watch more of the show you’ll find that his misogyny is largely an act; during his relationship with Robin he was completely faithful, he doesn’t go after women who are already in relationships, and (though I admit he’s not above embellishing the truth to get women) his conquests are always perfectly willing partners.

You’re right, he is loyal to his friends, but he nevertheless doesn’t hesitate to call them on their bullshit. That’s not a bad quality to have in a friend. Plus, he makes me laugh.

7

He’s really not much of a predator, and he looks like a fun guy who likes his friends. I’d get along with him.

8

I’ve seen this show twice and found it so incredibly unfunny that I was basically cringing in embarrassment for the actors that they were involved with something so terrible. Alyson Hannigan! I remember when you were Willow! sigh

So I voted for poison. But I would vote that for all characters of this show, just to put them out of their misery.

9

Barney takes loyalty to his friends to an amazing degree. This is the guy who flew across the country to tell Lily that she needs to marry Marshall. He also bought her her ticket back to New York.

I just wouldn’t introduce him to my sister.

10

This. I’d be his wingman (were I single) any day. I know that if I ended up in jail, Barney would make my bail. Eventually. After he got finished boffing the bail-bondswoman. And my Public Defender.

11

I definitely would, especially if he created an online resume for me.

12

Barney’s awesome and this is one of the few funny sitcoms left on TV.

13

Being friends with him would be legend-wait for it