CBS Not Moving Forward With ‘How I Met Your Dad’
Tough break, sentimental sitcom spinoff fans: CBS isn’t moving forward with How I Met Your Dad. The network’s Nina Tassler informed reporters of the decision Wednesday morning at a “pre-upfront press breakfast,” saying there were “elements of the pilot that didn’t work out,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
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The network faced a Wednesday deadline on the show from 20th Century Fox Television; with their decision to pass on the project, all rights for the How I Met Your Mother off-shoot fall back to the studio, which is expected to shop the show to other networks. The series – created by HIMYM showrunners Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, with writer-producer Emily Spivey (Saturday Night Live, Modern Family) – stars Greta Gerwig, with a voiceover role from Meg Ryan.
“We tried to work out about redoing the pilot,” Tassler added. “That’s not happening right now. Sometimes you run into these kind of issues and you hope they can resolve themselves in that time frame. . . I’m heartsick; we loved this brand and we love the producers but it didn’t work out.”
She also added that “re-piloting was in the best interest of protecting the creative elements of the show,” but also noted, “That was our position, not necessarily theirs.”
The entire idea of a How I Met Your Mother spinoff has seen a mixed reaction from fans and critics – many of whom were very disappointed in the original’s controversial finale episode. (Those in that camp may want to invest in the series’ upcoming Season Nine DVD set, which features an alternate ending.)
Meanwhile, CBS is moving forward with another new fall comedy, family-friendly The McCarthys, and have another (the Matthew Perry-starring reboot of The Odd Couple) lined up for later in the season. Other new additions to the drama lineup are NCIS: New Orleans, Scorpion, Madam Secretary and Stalker.