A couple of years ago I wrote 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?

When Fox Home Entertainment released the first season of "How I Met Your Mother" on DVD, the fact that it had Alyson Hannigan was enough for me to give it a try. Having now watched all 5 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. Of course, since his entrance on this series Harris has been popping up everywhere and his talent seems limitless. I highly recommend checking his work out on “Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog” (which is chock full of Joss Whedon goodness…).

This fifth season of the show just hit DVD and the set offers up a series recap, a short, but sweet blooper reel, a look behind the scenes of the 100th episode, music videos and an extended trailer for the episode “The Wedding Bride.”

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:
Definitions
Double Date
Robin 101
The Sexless Innkeeper
Duel Citizenship
Bagpipes
The Rough Patch
The Playbook
Slapsgiving 2: Revenge of the Slap
The Window
Last Cigarette Ever
Girl Vs Suits
Jenkins
Perfect Week
Rabbit or Duck
Hooked
Of Course
Say Cheese
Zoo or False
Home Wreckers
Twin Beds
Robots vs Wrestlers
The Wedding Bride
Doppelgangers

Starring: Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Alyson Hannigan, Neil Patrick Harris, Cobie Smulders
Extras: Bloopers; Music Videos; The Making of ‘Super Date’; ‘The Wedding Bride’ Trailer – Extended Version; Behind the Scenes of the 100th Episode; Series Recap
Specifications: Full Frame, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 9/21/2010
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website: http://www.foxtvdvd.com

We'll give How I Met Your Mother: Season 5 a B+.