Legendaddy (How I Met Your Mother)

"**Legendaddy**"
"Legendaddy"
How I Met Your Mother episode
	Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) attempts to steal JJ's basketball hoop while Jerry Whittaker (John Lithgow) tries to understand why he's disappointed to meet him. The scene was praised by critics who noted the chemistry between Lithgow and Harris.
Episode no.	Season 6; Episode 19
Directed by	Pamela Fryman
Written by	Dan Gregor; Doug Mand;
Production code	6ALH18
Original air date	March 21, 2011
Guest appearances
	John Lithgow as Jerome "Jerry" Whittaker; Marieve Herington as Betty; Michael Rupnow as Scott; Nancy Travis as Cheryl Whittaker; Will Shadley as JJ Whittaker;

"Legendaddy" is the 19th episode of the sixth season of the American sitcom How I Met Your Mother. The series revolves around Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) and his group of friends in New York City as he recounts to his children the story of how he met their mother. The episode was directed by Pamela Fryman and written by series co-creator Dan Gregor and Doug Mand. It first aired on CBS on March 21, 2011, to an audience of 8.03 million viewers. The episode received positive reviews by critics who praised the performances of Neil Patrick Harris and guest star John Lithgow.

"Legendaddy" follows Barney Stinson (Harris) as he reconnects with his father Jerome "Jerry" Whittaker (Lithgow) who abandoned him as a child. Meanwhile Marshall Eriksen (Jason Segel) attempts to get his friends to treat him like they did prior to his father's death. Barney having an absent father had a plot point first established in the second season, the introduction of Jerry was first teased earlier in the sixth season in the closing moments of "Last Words". Lithgow was the first choice to play the character; he reprised his role later in season six and season nine.