Shocking Twist: Why Hulu Abruptly Pulled the Plug on How I Met Your Father

Summary

How I Met Your Father was canceled by Hulu after only two seasons, disappointing fans who were eager to see where the story would go.

The first and second seasons of the show garnered negative reviews and received low scores on Rotten Tomatoes, which potentially discouraged potential viewers. How I Met Your Father faced challenges in living up to the reputation of its predecessor, How I Met Your Mother, and constantly faced unfavorable comparisons that overshadowed its own strengths.

Why did Hulu cancel How I Met Your Father so early in its run, considering it had only aired for two seasons? Similar to its predecessor, How I Met Your Father follows the same storytelling format, with the main character narrating their love story to their future child. In the year 2050, Sophie (portrayed by Hilary Duff, and by Kim Cattrall in the future) shares her experiences in Manhattan during the 2020s.

Hulu's decision to cancel How I Met Your Father came just two months after the season 2 finale aired. This finale, titled "Okay Fine, It's a Hurricane," has now become the series finale, as Hulu has chosen not to renew the show for another season. This cancellation is disappointing for fans who were eager to see the direction the characters' storylines would take. Moreover, it is a puzzling choice considering the franchise's popularity.

How I Met Your Father Season 2 Failed To Fix Season 1's Poor Reviews

From the beginning, How I Met Your Father faced major criticism, with Season 1 receiving an approval rating of only 38% on Rotten Tomatoes. Season 2 fared even worse, with a "rotten" Rotten Tomatoes score of 33%. Seeing such low ratings, audiences tended to avoid the show. Most critics believed that while the show's attempts to update the formula for a modern audience were commendable, it ultimately fell short, offering nothing more than a recycled version of a superior series.

Sometimes, a show takes a few years to find its footing. The Office didn't make Michael Scott a sympathetic character, which was crucial to its success, until Season 2. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia didn't fully develop its distinctive style until Season 4. After a disappointing first season, there was potential for How I Met Your Father to improve in its second season. However, the negative reviews persisted, discouraging many potential viewers from even giving the series a chance.

How I Met Your Father Struggled To Live Up To HIMYM's Legacy

While an original series can thrive based on its own merits, How I Met Your Father inevitably faced comparisons to its predecessor, How I Met Your Mother. Despite How I Met Your Mother's divisive final episode and outdated storylines, it remains cherished as one of the most beloved sitcoms of the 21st century. Even with superior writing, How I Met Your Father would find it challenging to match the legacy of its predecessor, as it continually felt overshadowed by the flagship series.