How We Made Your Mother How We Met Ol' Swarley | S2E7 "Swarley"
Dec 8, 2025
Veteran television writer Greg Malins, known for his work on Friends and How I Met Your Mother, joins the discussion to dive deep into the iconic 'Swarley' episode. He shares the origin of the famous misname and how a recycled joke from Friends made its way into HIMYM. The trio analyzes the balance between humor and emotional depth in the Marshall and Lily reunion, the creative process behind Robin Sparkles, and why the show's wordplay resonates timelessly. Greg's insights offer a heartfelt look at sitcom storytelling.
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How Swarly Was Born
- Greg Malins chased the Marshall & Lily reunion and fought to write the episode that reunited them.
- He pitched the coffee-shop wrong-name gag after Rob Greenberg suggested “Swarly,” which sparked the episode's main comedy.
Learning By Breaking The Rules
- Greg saw How I Met Your Mother as a chance to learn a new storytelling form beyond classic sitcom structure.
- He credits Friends for teaching sitcom rules which HIMYM then deliberately broke and expanded on.
Writers Should Befriend Actors
- Get writers and actors to spend time together on set to discover natural quirks and comedic rhythms.
- Use those observed actor traits to shape dialogue and performance choices.