Few installments in any sitcom come with as much fanfare and legacy as Neil Patrick Harris’ favoriteHow I Met Your Motherepisode. Known for its creative storytelling, heartfelt character arcs, and unforgettable comedic beats,HIMYMcarved out a special place in TV history over its nine-season run. But even among its many standout moments, one episode — a dazzling, over-the-top musical spectacular — has become the ultimate fan-favorite and a personal highlight for the show’s breakout star, Neil Patrick Harris, who played the always-suave Barney Stinson.
WhileHow I Met Your Motherdelivereda number of ambitious episodes, nothing captured its blend of absurd comedy and emotional sincerity quite like the moment it went full Broadway. The episode in question not only celebrates everything fans love about Barney but also showcases Harris’ undeniable talents as a showman. From the moment it aired, it stood out as one of the most memorable entries in the series. And as Harris himself has confirmed in several interviews, season 5’s twelfth episode, “Girls vs. Suits”, holds the top spot in his heart.
“Girls vs. Suits" Is Neil Patrick Harris' Favorite HIMYM Episode
An Unforgettable Blend Of Suits, Swagger, And Showstopping Spectacle
Over the years, Neil Patrick Harris has been asked countless times to name hisfavoriteHow I Met Your Motherepisode, and his answer has remained consistent: “Girls vs. Suits.” It’s easy to see why. The episode is an explosion of everything that makes both Barney Stinson andHIMYMso iconic - style, confidence, romantic hijinks, and theatrical flair. Speaking to multiple outlets, including in DVD commentaries and fan panels,Harris has repeatedly singled out “Girls vs. Suits” as the most fun he had on set, and the episode where he truly got to go all out as Barney.
The true climax of “Girls vs. Suits” comes in the form of its Broadway-caliber musical number, “Nothing Suits Me Like a Suit.”
“Girls vs. Suits” marks the 100thepisode ofHow I Met Your Mother, and the milestone status was matched by a heightened sense of ambition. The central plot revolves around Barney facing a crisis of loyalty: he’s attracted to a bartender named Karina (Stacy Keibler), who hates suits. Barney (legendary for his suit obsession) must decide between love or the wardrobe he holds dearest. While the rest of the gang deals with Ted’s (Josh Radnor) ongoing romantic escapades and the mystery of the mother,the episode belongs to Barney and his inner turmoil.
Of course, the true climax of “Girls vs. Suits” comes in the form of its Broadway-caliber musical number, “Nothing Suits Me Like a Suit,” performed by Harris and an ensemble of backup dancers.It’s a tongue-in-cheek tribute to fashion, vanity, and over-the-top self-love that perfectly encapsulates Barney’s essence.The song is grand, the choreography elaborate, and the execution flawless. It’s the kind of episode that takes a sitcom to the next level - a fact not lost on Harris.
“Girls vs. Suits” Is One Of The Greatest Musical Episodes Of All Time
A Top-Tier Entry In TV’s Musical Episode Hall Of Fame
There’s no denying that “Girls vs. Suits” is one of the best musical episodes ever aired on network television. The showstopping number, “Nothing Suits Me Like a Suit,” is a five-minute Broadway-level performance that completely takes over the screen with dazzling flair and impeccable timing.Not only is it a testament to Harris’ triple-threat talent, but it also shows how farHIMYMwas willing to goto celebrate its characters and reach new creative heights.
Crafted with theatrical precision, the musical sequence blends old-school musical charm with modern sitcom humor.Written byHIMYMcreators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas (for which they received a Primetime Emmy nomination), the song is packed with witty lyrics and delivered with pitch-perfect charisma by Harris, who had long since proven his musical skills on stage. The choreography is elaborate, featuring dozens of dancers and a full band, all staged within the fictional MacLaren’s Pub and spilling into a dreamlike Broadway fantasy.
“Girls vs. Suits” doesn’t just toss in a musical moment for novelty, it fully commits to the bit, using the numberto deepen Barney’s characterwhile also rewarding longtime fans with a spectacle unlike anything else in the series. The set-up, execution, and sheer ambition of the scene are what set it apart from typical sitcom fare.It’s no wonder Neil Patrick Harris called it his favoriteHow I Met Your Motherepisode - it’s where all of his talents came together for one unforgettable, award-nominated moment.
The number earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics proves its impact beyond just theHIMYMfandom. For a series that thrived on creative experimentation, “Girls vs. Suits” is the ultimate celebration of both the character of Barney and the boundless charisma of Harris himself.
Not Many Sitcoms Have A Musical Episode As Great As “Girls vs. Suits”
Neil Patrick Harris’ Favorite How I Met Your Mother Episode Stands Above Other Sitcom Musicals
Sitcoms have a long tradition ofexperimenting with musical episodes- some wildly successful, others quickly forgotten. It’s undeniable, however, that “Girls vs. Suits,” belongs firmly in the former category. It’s not just good; it’s one of the greatest musical episodes in sitcom history, surpassing even genre legends in terms of production value, performance, and integration into the narrative.
Plenty of shows have taken the musical plunge.Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s “Once More, with Feeling” is often considered the gold standard, using its songs to explore deep emotional arcs.Scrubsdelivered a surprise hit with “My Musical,” whileCommunityand30 Rockhad musical moments that leaned hard into parody. EvenGrey’s Anatomytook a swing with its infamous “Song Beneath the Song.” What makesHIMYM’s approach different is its fusion of character, comedy, and celebration - all wrapped in a larger-than-life fantasy sequence that still feels totally true to Barney.
Unlike many musical episodes, “Girls vs. Suits” doesn’t alter the show’s reality or shift its genre entirely.
Unlike many musical episodes, “Girls vs. Suits” doesn’t alter the show’s reality or shift its genre entirely. It uses the musical as an extension of Barney’s inner world, a grand expression of his personality that somehow makes perfect sense in context.Where other shows use music to shake things up narratively,How I Met Your Motheruses it to amplify everything that fans already love about its characters. It’s flashy, fun, and entirely earned.
Plus, let’s not forget the performance itself. “Nothing Suits Me Like a Suit” is Broadway-ready, and Harris delivers it with the precision and flair of a seasoned stage veteran.The number could have easily felt gimmicky, but instead, it became one of the most celebrated moments in the show’s history.It even helped cement the legacy ofHIMYMas a sitcom willing to take bold creative risks - risks that paid off in critical acclaim and fan adoration. Neil Patrick Harris’ favoriteHow I Met Your Motherepisode wasn’t just a milestone for the show - it set a benchmark for what sitcoms could achieve when they dared to dream bigger, sing louder, and dance in full tuxedoed glory.
