Why the Websites Felt Like a Secret Handshake

Craig and Josh explain how early web tie-ins rewarded engaged fans and extended the show's universe.

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Episode notes

In this General Questions bonus episode of How We Made Your Mother, Josh, Craig, and Alec reflect on “The Duel” and answer fan questions about real-life apartments, the emotional weight of physical space, and how props like swords and Shockey came to represent bigger ideas in the show. They also dig into the origins of HIMYM’s many fictional websites, the legacy of Barney’s blog, and the writers assistants who used that material to launch their careers. The conversation blends nostalgia, comedy, and sincerity—covering everything from sentimental goodbyes to apartments, to what it’s like to stage a sitcom sword fight and why leaving a home can feel like losing a piece of yourself.

What happened to all the HIMYM websites like TedMosbyIsAJerk.com and Barney’s Blog?
Can you bring any of the old sites back?
Who actually owns those domains now?
Did writing Barney’s Blog help writers assistants get promoted?
What real-life places inspired the show’s apartments and bars?
Do you have a building from your life that will always feel like “yours”?
What was your first apartment like, and did you have objects like Shockey or the swords?
Did Craig and Carter have a shared object that symbolized their early years like the swords?
What are you doing with your apartment while you’re on tour?
Was the sword fight fully choreographed or improvised?
Were the swords always part of the set or added for this episode?
Why do we get so attached to physical spaces?
How do our props and surroundings help us feel at home?
Is there such a thing as a forever home, or is home something we carry with us?
How did the crew design a realistic but shootable New York apartment?
What was it like saying goodbye to the real stage where HIMYM was filmed?