Glitter (How I Met Your Mother)
Encyclopedia
"Glitter" is the ninth episode of the sixth season of the CBS
sitcom How I Met Your Mother
, and the 121st episode overall. It aired on November 15, 2010.
becomes obsessed with babies, Robin becomes distant from her. Meanwhile, Barney has found a disc he calls "Robin Sparkles 3," which contains Space Teens, a variety series involving two Canadian teenagers, Robin Sparkles and Jessica Glitter, using math to solve crimes presented by Alan Thicke
. When conversation turns to why the group has never met Jessica if she and Robin were such good friends, Robin abruptly reveals that she hasn't spoken to Jessica in five years and attempts to drop the subject. When Robin leaves the apartment, Ted discovers a Christmas card Jessica sent to Robin with a picture of Jessica's baby. Ted speculates that Robin dumped Jessica as a friend when Jessica got pregnant, which upsets Lily, who fears that Robin will do the same to her.
When Lily continues to talk about having a baby, Robin becomes fed up with her and the two of them break up, which upsets Marshall. Marshall takes Lily to see Jessica, who works as the organist
for the New York Rangers
at Madison Square Garden
. Jessica reveals that she and Robin became distant after Jessica had a baby and no longer had the time to do all the things best friends do. Jessica has considered getting back in touch with Robin, but never had the courage to try.
Lily finds Robin at The Hoser Hut and they reconcile; Robin reveals that she has been afraid that Lily will abandon her once she become pregnant like Jessica did, while Lily promises not to talk about babies so much. Jessica, who has come to the Hoser Hut as well, sings the Beaver Song from Space Teens and Robin joins her, rekindling their friendship.
Meanwhile, Robin and Jessica's estrangement prompts Ted to contact his old high school friend Punchy, who appears in New York. Punchy's male bonding with Ted irks Barney, who tells Ted that Punchy has to go. When Ted tells Punchy that he has to go back to Cleveland, Punchy said he thought Ted sounded depressed when he called and his girlfriend encouraged him to visit. Punchy tells Ted he's getting married and asks him to be his best man, an offer Ted gladly accepts.
The A.V. Club
's Donna Bowman, on the other hand, graded the episode at A-, citing "season six-style" fan service to previous episodes and further detail on the characters' friendship, but noted excessiveness on Barney's reality-show catchphrases.
Robert Canning of IGN
gave the episode a rating of 8.5 out of 10.
Chris O'Hara of TVFanatic.com gave the episode a rating of 4 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 121st episode overall. It aired on November 15, 2010.
Plot
When LilyLily 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...
becomes obsessed with babies, Robin becomes distant from her. Meanwhile, Barney has found a disc he calls "Robin Sparkles 3," which contains Space Teens, a variety series involving two Canadian teenagers, Robin Sparkles and Jessica Glitter, using math to solve crimes presented by Alan Thicke
Alan Thicke
Alan Thicke is a Canadian actor, songwriter, and game and talk show host. He is best known for his role as Jason Seaver, the patriarch on the ABC television series Growing Pains.- Early life :...
. When conversation turns to why the group has never met Jessica if she and Robin were such good friends, Robin abruptly reveals that she hasn't spoken to Jessica in five years and attempts to drop the subject. When Robin leaves the apartment, Ted discovers a Christmas card Jessica sent to Robin with a picture of Jessica's baby. Ted speculates that Robin dumped Jessica as a friend when Jessica got pregnant, which upsets Lily, who fears that Robin will do the same to her.
When Lily continues to talk about having a baby, Robin becomes fed up with her and the two of them break up, which upsets Marshall. Marshall takes Lily to see Jessica, who works as the organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
for the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
. Jessica reveals that she and Robin became distant after Jessica had a baby and no longer had the time to do all the things best friends do. Jessica has considered getting back in touch with Robin, but never had the courage to try.
Lily finds Robin at The Hoser Hut and they reconcile; Robin reveals that she has been afraid that Lily will abandon her once she become pregnant like Jessica did, while Lily promises not to talk about babies so much. Jessica, who has come to the Hoser Hut as well, sings the Beaver Song from Space Teens and Robin joins her, rekindling their friendship.
Meanwhile, Robin and Jessica's estrangement prompts Ted to contact his old high school friend Punchy, who appears in New York. Punchy's male bonding with Ted irks Barney, who tells Ted that Punchy has to go. When Ted tells Punchy that he has to go back to Cleveland, Punchy said he thought Ted sounded depressed when he called and his girlfriend encouraged him to visit. Punchy tells Ted he's getting married and asks him to be his best man, an offer Ted gladly accepts.
Continuity
- The episode tackles the origins of Robin Sparkles, which were plot devices in the season 2 episode "Slap BetSlap Bet"Slap Bet" is the 9th episode in season 2 of the television series How I Met Your Mother. It originally aired on November 20, 2006. This episode was originally titled "Robin Sparkles."- Plot :...
" and the season 3 episode "Sandcastles in the SandSandcastles In The Sand"Sandcastles in the Sand" is the 16th episode in the third season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 60th overall. It originally aired on April 21, 2008.- Plot :...
". In Slap Bet, in the beginning of the song "Let's Go To the Mall", Robin shouts out to a friend named Jessica. - Barney attempts to slap Marshall when he thinks the new video he uncovered was porn. This is due to the slap bet he made in "Slap BetSlap Bet"Slap Bet" is the 9th episode in season 2 of the television series How I Met Your Mother. It originally aired on November 20, 2006. This episode was originally titled "Robin Sparkles."- Plot :...
", gambling that Robin was a porn star. - Alan ThickeAlan ThickeAlan Thicke is a Canadian actor, songwriter, and game and talk show host. He is best known for his role as Jason Seaver, the patriarch on the ABC television series Growing Pains.- Early life :...
has previously appeared when Robin's teen idol past was a topic in "Sandcastles in the SandSandcastles In The Sand"Sandcastles in the Sand" is the 16th episode in the third season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 60th overall. It originally aired on April 21, 2008.- Plot :...
" and "The Rough PatchThe Rough Patch"The Rough Patch" is the seventh episode of the fifth season of the CBS situation comedy How I Met Your Mother and 95th episode overall. It originally aired on November 9, 2009.- Plot :...
". He also referenced starring in a short-lived Canadian variety show with Robin in the "The Rough Patch." - Lily finds Robin in The Hoser Hut. Marshall introduced Robin to this place in the season 4 episode "Little MinnesotaLittle Minnesota"Little Minnesota" is the 11th episode in the fourth season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 75th overall. It originally aired on December 15, 2008.- Plot :...
". Robin Sparkles' popularity with Canadians is also evident by one picture posted in the place. - Robin's hatred for kids is an issue once more as highlighted in "Little BoysLittle Boys"Little Boys" is the fourth episode in the third season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 48th overall. It originally aired on October 15, 2007.- Plot:Lily tells Robin she can set her up on a date with a guy named George...
" and "Not a Father's DayNot a Father's Day"Not a Father's Day" is the seventh episode in the fourth season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 71st overall. It originally aired on November 10, 2008.- Plot :...
". However, Robin being able to love kids is mentioned in the said episodes where Future Ted told his children that she was able to make peace with kids some time in the future to hang out with them and where Robin falls in love with Jeremy's baby sock, respectively. - Ted does a poetic quip during the episode. His love for poetry is mentioned in "The Naked ManThe Naked Man (How I Met Your Mother)"The Naked Man" is the ninth episode in the fourth season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 73rd overall. It aired on November 24, 2008.-Plot:...
", "The Sexless InnkeeperThe Sexless Innkeeper"The Sexless Innkeeper" is the fourth episode of the fifth season of the CBS situation comedy How I Met Your Mother and 92nd overall. It originally aired on October 12, 2009.- Plot :...
" and "Robots Versus WrestlersRobots Versus Wrestlers"Robots Versus Wrestlers " is the 22nd episode of the fifth season of the CBS situation comedy How I Met Your Mother and 110th episode overall. It aired on May 10, 2010.- Plot :...
". - Ted shows once again his detective skills, the first instance was during the season 3 episode "DowisetreplaDowisetrepla"Dowisetrepla" is the 7th episode in the third season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 51st overall. It originally aired on November 5, 2007.-Plot:...
". - Lily's frustration in not yet having a baby is a reference to "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 :...
". - The episode brings back Ted's friend, Punchy, who was first introduced in "Sandcastles in the SandSandcastles In The Sand"Sandcastles in the Sand" is the 16th episode in the third season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 60th overall. It originally aired on April 21, 2008.- Plot :...
". - Barney uses the number "83" in a statistic. It was pointed out in "Brunch" that he uses this value whenever he makes data up.
- Marshall's Joey ButtafuocoJoey ButtafuocoJoseph A. "Joey" Buttafuoco is an auto body shop owner from the USA, notable for his affair with Amy Fisher , who subsequently shot Joey's wife, Mary Jo Buttafuoco , in the face.-Incident:...
pants was first seen in a flashback in "Stuff". - The robot in Space Teens is the same robot shown in Robin's music video "Let's Go To The Mall" in "Slap BetSlap Bet"Slap Bet" is the 9th episode in season 2 of the television series How I Met Your Mother. It originally aired on November 20, 2006. This episode was originally titled "Robin Sparkles."- Plot :...
" and would be shown again in Robin's music video "SandCastles In the Sand" playing hopscotch with some girls in uniforms.
Barney's blog
In his blog, Barney advises his readers on how to treat "inadequate consumption of porn".Cultural References
- Barney quotes the sign-off phrases of multiple reality TV shows, when telling Ted that he needs to tell Punchy to leave, namely in order:
What he said Name of show You are the weakest link, goodbye. The Weakest Link The Weakest LinkThe Weakest Link is a television game show which first appeared in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 14 August 2000 and will end its run in 2012 when its host Anne Robinson ends her contract. The original British version of the show airs around the world on BBC Entertainment...(Punchy,) the tribe has spoken. Survivor Survivor (TV series)Survivor is a reality television game show format produced in many countries throughout the world. In the show, contestants are isolated in the wilderness and compete for cash and other prizes. The show uses a system of progressive elimination, allowing the contestants to vote off other tribe...Please pack up your knives and go. Top Chef Top ChefTop Chef is an American reality competition show that airs on the cable television network Bravo, in which chefs compete against each other in culinary challenges. They are judged by a panel of professional chefs and other notables from the food and wine industry with one or more contestants...Your work of art didn’t work for us. Work of Art: The Next Great Artist Work of Art: The Next Great ArtistWork of Art: The Next Great Artist is an American reality competition show that airs on the cable television network Bravo, in which up-and-coming artists compete for a solo exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum and a cash prize of $100,000. The show is produced by Pretty Matches Productions and...Your time's up! Flavor of Love Flavor of LoveFlavor of Love is an American reality television dating game show parody starring Flavor Flav of the rap group Public Enemy.While not a direct spin-off, the show was a result of Brigitte Nielsen and Flavor Flav's failed relationship on Strange Love, as well as The Surreal Life...I have to ask you to leave the mansion. Beauty and the Geek Beauty and the GeekBeauty and the Geek is a reality television series on The CW. It has been advertised as "The Ultimate Social Experiment" and is produced by Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg and Nick Santora....You must leave the chateau. Joe Millionaire Joe MillionaireJoe Millionaire is an American reality television show that was broadcast on Fox beginning in January 2003. It was broadcast in the UK that same year...Your tour ends here. Rock of Love You've been chopped. Chopped Chopped (TV series)Chopped is a reality based cooking television series created by Michael Krupat, produced by Daniel Kay, and hosted by Ted Allen that pits four chefs against each other competiting for a chance to win $10,000. New episodes air every Tuesday at 10pm EST on Food Network.-Format:In each episode, four...You've been evicted from the Big Brother house. Big Brother Big Brother (TV series)Big Brother is a television show in which a group of people live together in a large house, isolated from the outside world but continuously watched by television cameras. Each series lasts for around three months, and there are usually fewer than 15 participants. The housemates try to win a cash...Your dessert just didn't measure up. Top Chef: Just Desserts Top Chef: Just DessertsTop Chef: Just Desserts is an American reality competition show, spun off from Top Chef. It premiered on the cable television network Bravo on September 15, 2010. Top Chef: Just Desserts features pastry chefs competing in a series of culinary challenges, focusing on pastries and desserts...Sashay away. RuPaul's Drag Race RuPaul's Drag RaceRuPaul's Drag Race is an American reality television series produced by World of Wonder for Logo. RuPaul plays host, mentor and inspiration for this series, which details RuPaul's search for "America's next drag superstar."...Give me your jacket and leave Hell's Kitchen. Hell's Kitchen Hell's Kitchen (U.S.)Hell's Kitchen is an American reality-television cooking competition broadcast on Fox...I'm sorry, you did not get a rose. The Bachelor You have been eliminated from the race. The Amazing Race The Amazing RaceThe Amazing Race is a reality television game show in which teams of two people, who have some form of a preexisting personal relationship, race around the world in competition with other teams...You are no longer in the running to be America's Next Top Model. America's Next Top Model America's Next Top ModelAmerica's Next Top Model is a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of America's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modeling industry....You're fired. The Apprentice Auf Wiedersehen. Project Runway Project RunwayProject Runway is an American reality television series on Lifetime Television, previously on the Bravo network, which focuses on fashion design and is hosted by model Heidi Klum. The contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes and are restricted in time, materials and theme... - Robin mentions two well-known children's programs, Sesame StreetSesame StreetSesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
and The Electric Company. Marshall, referring to Space Teens, says "You can't do that on television," which Robin mistakes as a reference to the Canadian children's television program with that nameYou Can't Do That on TelevisionYou Can't Do That on Television is a Canadian television program that first aired locally in 1979 before ultimately airing internationally in 1981...
. - The show Space Teens is a reference to the children's television series, CyberchaseCyberchaseCyberchase is an American educational television series for children age 6-12, that teaches children discrete mathematics. The show airs on Public Broadcasting Service and PBS Kids GO! in the United States. Seasons one through five were produced by Thirteen/WNET New York and Nelvana...
, which involves children solving problems using math throughout CyberspaceCyberspaceCyberspace is the electronic medium of computer networks, in which online communication takes place.The term "cyberspace" was first used by the cyberpunk science fiction author William Gibson, though the concept was described somewhat earlier, for example in the Vernor Vinge short story "True...
. - When Ted and Barney restrain a laugh at the use of beaverBeaverThe beaver is a primarily nocturnal, large, semi-aquatic rodent. Castor includes two extant species, North American Beaver and Eurasian Beaver . Beavers are known for building dams, canals, and lodges . They are the second-largest rodent in the world...
s on the show, Robin defends it by saying that it is the national animal of Canada. - When Ted tries to convince Robin that Punchy should be allowed to stay at their place for a few days by mentioning he has been stuck in Cleveland and says "Lebron...", referencing the infamous July 2010 departure of LeBron JamesLeBron JamesLeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association . Nicknamed "King James", he was a three-time "Mr. Basketball" of Ohio in high school, and was highly promoted in the national media as a future NBA superstar while a...
from the Cleveland CavaliersCleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
. - Jessica works as the organist at Madison Square GardenMadison Square GardenMadison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
and plays at the New York RangersNew York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
' games. She is shown playing several things that are clichés for hockey game organists. Marshall then plays "ChopsticksChopsticks (music)"Chopsticks" is a simple, extremely well known waltz for the piano. It was written in 1877 by the British composer Euphemia Allen under the pseudonym Arthur de Lulli...
" on the organ. - Punchy says to Ted that this is not a dream and to check his totem, a reference to the movie InceptionInceptionInception: The Subconscious Jams 1994-1995 is a compilation of unreleased tracks by the band Download.-Track listing:# "Primitive Tekno Jam" – 3:23# "Bee Sting Sickness" – 8:04# "Weed Acid Techno" – 8:19...
. - Several Hoser Hut patrons appear as Canadian national icons in the last scene of the episode. Costumes include a hockeyIce hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player, a mooseMooseThe moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
, a beaverBeaverThe beaver is a primarily nocturnal, large, semi-aquatic rodent. Castor includes two extant species, North American Beaver and Eurasian Beaver . Beavers are known for building dams, canals, and lodges . They are the second-largest rodent in the world...
, a MountieRoyal Canadian Mounted PoliceThe Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
in Red SergeRed SergeThe Red Serge refers to the jacket of the dress uniform of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It consists of a scarlet British-style military pattern tunic, complete with a high-neck collar....
, Queen Elizabeth II, and Brian MulroneyBrian MulroneyMartin Brian Mulroney, was the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the introduction of major economic reforms, such as the Canada-U.S...
. - WalkersWalkers (snack foods)Walkers is a British snack food manufacturer operating mainly in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and to a lesser extent on the European continent. They are best known for manufacturing crisps. They hold 47 per cent of the British crisp market...
potato crisps and Hula HoopsHula HoopsHula Hoops are a potato-based snack, in the shape of short, hollow cylinders. They were first introduced in 1973. Hula Hoops come in several different flavors. They are produced by KP Snacks...
are shown as being sold at the Hoser Hut. - The Omnibot 2000 robot appears once more as part of Robin Sparkles' performance, having appeared in "Slap BetSlap Bet"Slap Bet" is the 9th episode in season 2 of the television series How I Met Your Mother. It originally aired on November 20, 2006. This episode was originally titled "Robin Sparkles."- Plot :...
" and "Sandcastles in the SandSandcastles In The Sand"Sandcastles in the Sand" is the 16th episode in the third season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 60th overall. It originally aired on April 21, 2008.- Plot :...
". - While flipping through TV channels at Ted’s apartment, Punchy makes a reference to Big Chuck and Lil' John, the immensely popular duo who hosted their own movies and original late-night sketch-comedy series on WJW-TV in the Greater ClevelandGreater ClevelandGreater Cleveland is a nickname for the metropolitan area surrounding Cleveland, Ohio and is part of what used to be the Connecticut Western Reserve.Northeast Ohio refers to a similar but substantially larger area as described below...
area for nearly 30 years.
Critical response
Zach Oat of Television Without Pity gave the episode a B+ score, saying it added more material into Robin's origins but also upped viewer frustration to her being secretive on certain issues. He noted that Punchy's offer to Ted as best man fuels speculation that the wedding in "Big Days" is Punchy and Kelly's, and is set in Cleveland.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...
's Donna Bowman, on the other hand, graded the episode at A-, citing "season six-style" fan service to previous episodes and further detail on the characters' friendship, but noted excessiveness on Barney's reality-show catchphrases.
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 8.5 out of 10.
Chris O'Hara of TVFanatic.com gave the episode a rating of 4 out of 5.