The Real Reason A Barney Cameo On How I Met Your Father May Never Happen

“How I Met Your Mother” might generally tug on the nostalgic hearts and funny bones of countless fans, but even some of its most diehard devotees admit that some aspects of the series haven’t aged particularly well. This is especially true for Barney, who, with his general misogyny and infamous Playbook of schemes to hook up with women, has easily produced several scenes where, in retrospect, the character definitely went too far. If Barney appeared on “How I Met Your Father,” the character would need to have gone through a stark change. And it seems Neil Patrick Harris agrees.

Per TV Lineon his newsletter Wondercade, Harris had the chance to discuss with Hilary Duff why Barney would likely never appear on the new show. “Barney’s antics, his overt delusions of grandeur, would likely get everyone in trouble,” he explained. “So, unless he’s changed his ways or joined a nunnery (insert an insert joke here), not sure if it’s in anyone’s best interest.” In the land of TV sitcoms, one can never say never, but as Duff also added in the newsletter interview, in the era of movements such as #MeToo, Barney’s actions would likely land him “in jail,” and rightfully so. If Barney does ever make a cameo, in one way or another, “How I Met Your Father” will have to reckon with his past reckless behavior in one way or another.