Canning Randy
Encyclopedia
"Canning Randy" is the seventh episode of the sixth season of the CBS
sitcom How I Met Your Mother
, and the 119th episode overall. It aired on November 1, 2010.
is overjoyed that his class adores him, though it's mainly because he sucks up to them such as by giving out candy for Halloween. Zoey Pierson, who was last seen egging Ted's apartment after betraying her, sits in at Ted's class and turns his students against him. She reveals how Ted is having the Arcadian torn down so he can design a new building, and the whole class eventually skips class to attend a protest with her. Ted takes Lily
's advice to not appear so gentle, and threatens to have the entire class fail if they keep skipping.
Marshall
is bothered by an inept employee named Randy at work; Barney
urges Marshall to fire Randy, but Marshall doesn't wish to be so cruel like GNB is thought to be (Marshall's boss Arthur had another employee fired simply because he wore the same colored tie as he). Eventually, Randy annoys him so much that Marshall reluctantly does fire him. Marshall feels incredibly guilty and convinces Arthur to have Randy rehired and urges him to be more benevolent. Randy, however, is in fact thrilled he was fired, as he plans to use his severance
to start up his own beer brewery. Randy doesn't take Marshall's "good" news about being rehired well, and promptly begins intentionally destroying Marshall's office to have him fired, as quitting his job would not net him the severance. Marshall resists the urge to fire him despite the mess Randy is creating; eventually, with Marshall's entire office in disarray, Randy gives in and apologizes. He offers Marshall a bottle of his homemade beer to make amends; noting how good it tastes, Marshall fires Randy, leaving both men pleased. Future Ted states Randy does in fact start his own brewing company, brewing a beer called Wharmpess, which in the future becomes a success.
Robin
continues to be annoyed by her new co-anchor, Becky. She is even more bothered when Becky appears in a commercial
, which Robin thinks is unprofessional for a journalist. The morning after Halloween festivities, the gang catches Robin coming back from last night's parties, assuming she had a one-night stand. Lily believes she had slept with Randy, due to Randy appearing to have a slight interest in her. Robin claims this to be the truth, though eventually she reveals she had given in and starred in a commercial to appear popular; the commercial is for adult diapers, much to everyone's amusement. Robin says the commercial may not even air, though Future Ted states it ran for seven years.
Hitfix's Alan Sepinwall said, "Canning Randy was one of the weakest episodes we've had in season six."
DeAnn Welker of Television Without Pity graded the episode at D, stating that it was no different from the "very choppy days of last season," citing a lack of direction about GNB's ad campaign and how things don't work when supporting characters hog the airtime at the expense of main characters such as Barney.
Michaelangelo Matos of The A.V. Club
gave the episode a B rating.
Robert Canning of IGN
gave the episode a rating of 6.5 out of 10.
Chris O'Hara of TVFanatic.com gave the episode a rating of 3 out of 5.
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
sitcom How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 19, 2005, created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays.As a framing device, the main character, Ted Mosby with narration by Bob Saget, in the year 2030 recounts to his son and daughter the events that led to his meeting...
, and the 119th episode overall. It aired on November 1, 2010.
Plot
TedTed Mosby
Theodore Evelyn "Ted" Mosby is the titular fictional character of the U.S. television sitcom How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Josh Radnor...
is overjoyed that his class adores him, though it's mainly because he sucks up to them such as by giving out candy for Halloween. Zoey Pierson, who was last seen egging Ted's apartment after betraying her, sits in at Ted's class and turns his students against him. She reveals how Ted is having the Arcadian torn down so he can design a new building, and the whole class eventually skips class to attend a protest with her. Ted takes Lily
Lily Aldrin
Lillian "Lily" Aldrin is a fictional character created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by American actress Alyson Hannigan. She is the wife of Marshall Eriksen and the best friend of Robin Scherbatsky...
's advice to not appear so gentle, and threatens to have the entire class fail if they keep skipping.
Marshall
Marshall Eriksen
Marshall Eriksen is a fictional character in the American sitcom How I Met Your Mother, created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas and portrayed by Jason Segel.-Character profile:Marshall is an easy-going, naive optimist from St. Cloud, Minnesota...
is bothered by an inept employee named Randy at work; Barney
Barney Stinson
Barnabas "Barney" Stinson is a fictional character created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris. The character has been extremely well received by critics and has been credited for much of the show's success...
urges Marshall to fire Randy, but Marshall doesn't wish to be so cruel like GNB is thought to be (Marshall's boss Arthur had another employee fired simply because he wore the same colored tie as he). Eventually, Randy annoys him so much that Marshall reluctantly does fire him. Marshall feels incredibly guilty and convinces Arthur to have Randy rehired and urges him to be more benevolent. Randy, however, is in fact thrilled he was fired, as he plans to use his severance
Severance package
A severance package is pay and benefits an employee receives when they leave employment at a company. In addition to the employee's remaining regular pay, it may include some of the following:* An additional payment based on months of service...
to start up his own beer brewery. Randy doesn't take Marshall's "good" news about being rehired well, and promptly begins intentionally destroying Marshall's office to have him fired, as quitting his job would not net him the severance. Marshall resists the urge to fire him despite the mess Randy is creating; eventually, with Marshall's entire office in disarray, Randy gives in and apologizes. He offers Marshall a bottle of his homemade beer to make amends; noting how good it tastes, Marshall fires Randy, leaving both men pleased. Future Ted states Randy does in fact start his own brewing company, brewing a beer called Wharmpess, which in the future becomes a success.
Robin
Robin Scherbatsky
Robin Charles Scherbatsky, Jr. is a fictional character created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Canadian actress Cobie Smulders.- Early life :...
continues to be annoyed by her new co-anchor, Becky. She is even more bothered when Becky appears in a commercial
Television advertisement
A television advertisement or television commercial, often just commercial, advert, ad, or ad-film – is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message, typically one intended to market a product...
, which Robin thinks is unprofessional for a journalist. The morning after Halloween festivities, the gang catches Robin coming back from last night's parties, assuming she had a one-night stand. Lily believes she had slept with Randy, due to Randy appearing to have a slight interest in her. Robin claims this to be the truth, though eventually she reveals she had given in and starred in a commercial to appear popular; the commercial is for adult diapers, much to everyone's amusement. Robin says the commercial may not even air, though Future Ted states it ran for seven years.
Continuity
- Zoey returns, continuing the story from episode "Architect of DestructionArchitect of Destruction"Architect of Destruction" is the fifth episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 117th episode overall. It originally aired on October 18, 2010.- Plot :...
". This episode continues their dispute over the Arcadian and the new GNB building. Also, Zoey brought eggs to the rally to hurl at Ted, which she had done previously in the aforementioned episode. - Ted's love for old buildings in New York becomes a rallying point for the students. This is confirmed in "First Time in New YorkFirst Time in New York"First Time in New York" is the 12th episode in the second season of the television series How I Met Your Mother. It originally aired on January 8, 2007.-Plot:...
", "Subway WarsSubway Wars"Subway Wars" is the fourth episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 116th episode overall. It originally aired on October 11, 2010.- Plot :...
" and "Architect of DestructionArchitect of Destruction"Architect of Destruction" is the fifth episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 117th episode overall. It originally aired on October 18, 2010.- Plot :...
". In "Subway Wars", he even points out the Arcadian to a bus driver. - Robin is frustrated with Becky not taking things seriously, first shown in "Baby TalkBaby Talk (How I Met Your Mother)"Baby Talk" is the sixth episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 118th episode overall. It aired on October 25, 2010.- Plot :Marshall and Lily visit Stuart and Claudia, who are having trouble naming their newborn baby...
". - Randy returns from "Rebound BroRebound Bro"Rebound Bro" is the 18th episode of the third season of the How I Met Your Mother and 62nd overall. It originally aired on May 5, 2008.- Plot :...
". Flashbacks from that episode are used. The same episode explains Randy's nose bleeding and trouble getting laid. - Barney jokingly mentions that Robin may have slept with a co-anchor, referencing her habit of forming relationships with colleagues, including Sandy Rivers, Curt "The Ironman" Irons and Don Frank.
- Johnny is one of the names Lily does not want to use in "Baby TalkBaby Talk (How I Met Your Mother)"Baby Talk" is the sixth episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 118th episode overall. It aired on October 25, 2010.- Plot :Marshall and Lily visit Stuart and Claudia, who are having trouble naming their newborn baby...
". Lily is seen cracking down on a student named Johnny. - Lily asks Robin "Where's the poop?" about what Robin did during Halloween. Lily also did this in "UnfinishedUnfinished (How I Met Your Mother)"Unfinished" is the third episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 115th episode overall. It aired on October 4, 2010.- Plot :...
" about Don. - The reason Marshall finally fires Randy, because Randy wanted to pursue his dream of making a beer brewery, reminds Marshall of his dream as first explained in "Life Among the GorillasLife Among the Gorillas"Life Among the Gorillas" is the 17th episode in the first season of the television series How I Met Your Mother. It originally aired on March 20, 2006.- Plot :...
". - Artillery Arthur, first introduced in "The Chain of ScreamingThe Chain of Screaming"The Chain of Screaming" is the 15th episode in the third season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 59th overall. It originally aired on April 14, 2008.- Plot :...
", makes an appearance. His pet dog was also mentioned in the episode "Last Cigarette EverLast Cigarette Ever"Last Cigarette Ever" is the eleventh episode of the fifth season of the CBS situation comedy How I Met Your Mother and 99th episode overall. It aired on December 14, 2009.- Plot :...
". - Marshall and Lily can be seen wearing matching costume sets, that of a matadorMatadorA torero or toureiro is a bullfighter and the main performer in bullfighting, practised in Spain, Colombia, Portugal, Mexico, France and various other countries influenced by Spanish culture. In Spanish, the word torero describes any of the performers who actively participate in the bullfight...
and a bull. Marshall and Lily have a tradition of wearing themed costumes during Halloween as shown in "Slutty PumpkinSlutty Pumpkin"Slutty Pumpkin" is the 6th episode in the first season of the television series How I Met Your Mother. It originally aired on October 24, 2005.- Plot :...
" of Season 1. In the same episode, Future Ted reveals that Robin was not fond of Halloween, which would change in the future. - The 'annoying car alarm' is first heard in "Lucky Penny".
- Barney's Halloween costume is the same that Cobra Kai dojo students wear in The Karate Kid, possibly due to his skewed perception of protagonists, as revealed in "The StinsonsThe Stinsons"The Stinsons" is the 15th episode in the fourth season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 79th overall. It originally aired on March 2, 2009.- Plot :...
".
Cultural references
- Barney is drinking GlenfiddichGlenfiddichThe Glenfiddich Distillery is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky distillery owned by William Grant & Sons in Dufftown, Scotland. Glenfiddich means ‘Valley of the deer’ in Gaelic, hence the presence of a deer symbol on Glenfiddich bottles.- History :...
12 at the GNB Halloween Party. - Barney plays on the name of Florence NightingaleFlorence NightingaleFlorence Nightingale OM, RRC was a celebrated English nurse, writer and statistician. She came to prominence for her pioneering work in nursing during the Crimean War, where she tended to wounded soldiers. She was dubbed "The Lady with the Lamp" after her habit of making rounds at night...
upon seeing Robin's nurse costume. - Lily calls Robin "Sherbatson", which is a reference to Sherlock HolmesSherlock HolmesSherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve...
' assistant Watson. Lily also uses the famous "Elementary" line, popularly associated with the detective. - Ted mentions the band The Pixies.
- Ted also references the time when most media recording devices had a "B-side".
- Barney could be seen wearing a costume of a member of the Cobra Kai Dojo from The Karate Kid, Johnny Lawrence. Barney mentions being a fan of him in "The StinsonsThe Stinsons"The Stinsons" is the 15th episode in the fourth season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 79th overall. It originally aired on March 2, 2009.- Plot :...
". - Lily cuts off the head of the stuffed horse of one of her students, this is a reference to "The GodfatherThe GodfatherThe Godfather is a 1972 American epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo. With a screenplay by Puzo, Coppola and an uncredited Robert Towne, the film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard...
"
Critical response
Reviews for this episode were mostly negative.Hitfix's Alan Sepinwall said, "Canning Randy was one of the weakest episodes we've had in season six."
DeAnn Welker of Television Without Pity graded the episode at D, stating that it was no different from the "very choppy days of last season," citing a lack of direction about GNB's ad campaign and how things don't work when supporting characters hog the airtime at the expense of main characters such as Barney.
Michaelangelo Matos of The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
gave the episode a B rating.
Robert Canning of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
gave the episode a rating of 6.5 out of 10.
Chris O'Hara of TVFanatic.com gave the episode a rating of 3 out of 5.