I had recently written about some of the actors that came from the hit series' "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel", wondering if any of them would ever find success on network television again… or be relegated to 'made for Sci Fi Channel' movies, hocking memorabilia on the Home Shopping Network, or show up as drunken shadows of their former selves on "The Surreal Life." So far the latter hasn’t happened, but two of them have gone on to some substantial success. David Boreanez is making waves with "Bones" and the wonderful Alyson Hannigan is getting laughs in "How I Met Your Mother." "How I Met Your Mother" is an ensemble comedy show that actually has an interesting twist surrounding the story it’s telling. The series takes place in the year 2030, yet it isn't a science fiction show, at all.

The time frame allows for the narrator (Bob Saget) to regale his children with tales, as the title implies, of how he met their mother. Think of it as an adult version of "The Wonder Years." In the present, our narrator Ted (Josh Radnor) is an architect on one of life's eternal quests for Miss Right. He is aided in his search by best friend Marshall (Jason Segel), who just happens to have found his Miss Right (Alyson Hannigan) and is planning their nuptials. On the other end of the friend scale is Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), who is a hormone on wheels. H doesn’t want Miss Right, he only wants Miss Right Now. The first season also introduces us to Robin (Cobie Smulders), the woman who just might be his future bride… or is she?

Fox Home Entertainment is releasing the first season of "How I Met Your Mother" on DVD, and while I usually find it hard to get into newer situation comedies, the fact that it had Alyson Hannigan was enough for me to give it a try. Having now watched all 22 episodes from the first season, I have to admit that Hannigan isn’t the only reason to watch it. Right off the bat, the series struck me as being very smartly written, with quick, funny dialogue delivered as I often hear it done by my circle of friends. It comes off very naturally, at least to me. I realize some of you might have to hang around accountants and the like, so the conversations are undoubtedly a bore, but those of you with lively and creative friends will recognize the tone of the get-together.

But I've seen shows with decent writing before undermined by a so-so cast. This is not the case with "How I Met Your Mother." Hannigan performs as expected from her tenure on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." She has a comedic timing that assures her success in nearly any project that comes her way. Thankfully the rest of the cast is just as good. Josh Radnor is perfect as the hopeless romantic while Jason Segel proves he's not a one note wonder from his days on ("Freaks and Geeks"). But the real revelation in the series is Neil Patrick Harris, who I've recently been re-visiting on DVDs of "Doogie Howser." I've seen him guest star on a handful of TV shows and movies, but his performance here is so over the top perfect that he nearly steals the whole show.

The DVD set offers up several commentaries spread across six episodes (listed below). Three of them are by the creative team, while the remaining three are done by the cast. All are quite interesting, especially as the creators add a lot of insight on little bits if business that might otherwise go unnoticed. The cast commentaries, which I usually really enjoy, are a bit on the erratic side with too many people talking over one another at times and not talking at all during others. They are fun to listen to, but they really needed a moderator. There is also a video montage of scenes from the series set to music (which is kind of a throwaway featurette to be honest), a look at how the show was originally brought together, and a short, but sweet, blooper reel.

Lately I've been surprised by the slow but steady improvement of sitcoms on TV, and "How I Met Your Mother" is a perfect example of comedy done right.

Episodes:
Pilot (Commentary by Carter Bays, Craig Thomas, Alyson Hannigan, Neil Patrick Harris, Josh Radnor, Jason Segel and Cobie Smulders)
Purple Giraffe
Sweet Taste of Liberty
Return of the Shirt
Okay Awesome (Commentary by Alyson Hannigan, Neil Patrick Harris, Josh Radnor, Jason Segel and Cobie Smulders)
Slutty Pumpkin
Matchmaker
The Duel
Belly Full of Turkey
The Pineapple Incident (Commentary by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas)
The Limo
The Wedding
Drumroll, Please (Commentary by Carter Bays, Craig Thomas and Director Pam Fryman)
Zip, Zip, Zip
Game Night
Cupcake
Life Among the Gorillas
Nothing Good Happens After 2 a.m. (Commentary by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas)
Mary the Paralegal
Best Prom Ever
Milk
Come On (Commentary by Alyson Hannigan, Neil Patrick Harris, Josh Radnor, Jason Segel and Cobie Smulders)

Starring: Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Alyson Hannigan, Neil Patrick Harris, Cobie Smulders
Extras: Commentary on Select Episodes, Video Yearbook Featurette, Happy Hour Blooper Reel, Clip Montages
Specifications: Full Frame, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 11/21/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give How I Met Your Mother: Season 1 a B+