Podcast Summary: How We Met That Grinch | S2E11 "How Lily Stole Christmas"

Podcast: How We Made Your Mother
Hosts: Josh Radnor, Craig Thomas
Release Date: January 12, 2026
Episode Timing: Focus on main content (skip ads/outros) — Summary covers ~01:02–54:12
Episode Theme: Revisiting "How Lily Stole Christmas," HIMYM’s first Christmas episode, exploring its writing, enduring appeal, creative process, cultural impact, comedic devices, and the show’s resonance for fans around the world.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into HIMYM Season 2, Episode 11: "How Lily Stole Christmas." The hosts dissect the creative genesis, plot intricacies, character dynamics, and behind-the-scenes choices that made this a pivotal and beloved holiday installment. Alongside, they reflect on how the show resonates with viewers—especially as a comfort or language-learning tool—and field questions from listeners about production details and legacy. With warmth and humor, Josh, Craig, and producer Alec Lev revisit the emotional depths and comic highlights of their holiday classic.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Impact of HIMYM on Language Learners (03:06–04:20)

• Listener story: A fan shares how HIMYM helped them learn English, watching episodes repeatedly to master vocabulary and grammar.
  • Josh Radnor (03:19): “A big hug to all the people around the world that How I Met Your Mother helped them learn English. It’s one of the most delightful things I hear from people.”
  • Craig Thomas (03:31): “It is the best sort of weird side effect of this show’s success.”

2. Genesis & Purpose of the Christmas Episode (04:43–06:29)

• Background: This was HIMYM’s first Christmas episode, written by Brenda Shea, aired December 11, 2006.
• Narrative focus: Designed to explore the aftermath of Marshall and Lily’s breakup, the emotional complexities of friendship, and what best friends owe each other during tough emotional periods.
  • Craig Thomas (05:29): “This episode came from that very universal place of what is a best friend’s duty in a breakup…we felt like we still had more to explore about Marshall and Lily’s breakup.”
  • Plot point: Everything hinges on Ted leaving an "answering machine" message using a very bad word about Lily, sparking the central conflict.

3. Outdated Technology as a Story Engine (07:09–08:39)

• The episode’s drama is made possible by the now-retro answering machine—something unworkable in today’s tech landscape.
  • Josh Radnor (07:40): “You can’t recreate this episode today.”
  • Craig Thomas (08:19): “That’s just a little flashback with the idea of how much worse it was made by hearing Ted’s voice breaking up with her on the answering machine.”

4. Friendship Dynamics & Emotional Truths (09:02–11:02)

• Explores the real hurt felt when Lily left, not just for Marshall but also Ted, upending the "chosen family" dynamic.
  • Josh Radnor (09:13): “He wasn’t just being a partisan on behalf of his friend. He also felt like he got left.”
  • Craig Thomas (09:46): “That piece late in the episode where Ted, for the first time in the episode, says what it’s really about...‘You left me too.’”

5. The Infamous “Grinch” Line—Censoring & Writing for Standards (10:05–11:57)

• Discussion of substituting “Grinch” for a more offensive word to skirt broadcast standards.
  • Josh Radnor (10:38): “Can we say that it started with a C? … The word you will not forgive your friend for calling you.”
  • Fun behind-the-scenes: The table draft directly referenced the "C-word," but standards required a softer, imaginative euphemism.

6. Pop Culture Inspirations & Holiday References (13:50–16:50)

• Homage to "A Christmas Story"—getting Bob Saget to narrate a fudge scene; and nods to "Love Actually," especially in the carol-singing sequence.
  • Craig Thomas (14:22): “That was gold for us because that movie was so influential on How I Met Your Mother for Carter and I.”

7. The Psychology of Breakups for the Whole Group (17:21–19:06)

• Breakups ripple beyond the couple—they alter friend groups and emotional ecosystems.
  • Josh Radnor (17:21): “A breakup is not just between two people. Especially if the social fabric is just so woven…they’re a gang.”
  • Craig Thomas (18:01): “They were like kids in a divorce. Ted was like a kid in a divorce.”

8. The Paradox of a Comfort Show About Discomfort (19:45–20:07)

• HIMYM serves as “medicine for the soul” even though it depicts emotional pain.
  • Josh Radnor (19:57): “How many people find comfort in this show while watching the characters go through deep discomfort.”
  • Craig Thomas (20:01): “It’s people’s comfort show, and it mostly depicts suffering.”

9. Acting Choices & Raw Emotion (20:23–23:18)

• Josh describes the pleasure and challenge of filming emotionally charged scenes with Alyson Hannigan, emphasizing how such moments fuel actors.
  • Josh Radnor (21:43): “The stuff that looks hard to do emotionally is what actors delight in doing… You’re just skipping to work. You’re just happy.”
  • Alec Lev credits Josh for subtle acting: “We’re watching you… and I just had—I was like, oh my God, Ted’s got something going on.” (20:49)

10. Ted and Lily’s Role as Group’s Emotional Core (23:34–24:34)

• Ted and Lily often serve as the group’s “moral compass.” Their friction shakes the whole “family.”
  • Craig Thomas (23:34): “The two people who are supposed to be steering the ship are fighting. So who’s steering the ship?”

11. Comedy Highlights—Shit-talking Lily, Barney’s Cold, Running Gags (24:34–29:17)

• The group finally vents about Lily post-breakup, played for laughs (“She doesn’t even wear a beret!”).
• Barney’s sick subplot: Neil Patrick Harris elevates a simple gag—Barney refusing to admit illness—to comic gold. Robin tending to him hints at early Barney/Robin chemistry.
  • Josh Radnor (27:02): “He can’t admit vulnerability or fallibility on any level…he has to deny that this is happening to his body.”
  • Craig Thomas (28:23): “He’s in Ted’s bed. It’s so intimate. Was Ted consulted before Barney got in that bed with the leaking flu?”

12. Holiday Details & Cultural References (30:07–33:43)

• The arrival of Ted's relatives prompts gags about faith, Judaism, and holiday traditions. Debut of recurring characters like Clint.
• Music details: “Back Door Santa” by Clarence Carter, and the “mind hole” and “sandwich” euphemisms for adult themes.
  • Josh Radnor (30:13): “I liked Christ Mas more Christ for to our Spanish friends.”
  • Craig Thomas (32:24): “We just committed really early on in the series—at least half his family celebrates Christmas.”

13. Flashbacks & Inside Jokes (33:43–35:12)

• Flashback to Ted and Lily in college, sharing a “sandwich” (premiere of that stoned wig?), reinforcing their deep friendship.
• Charity gag: “Not you, Charity!” (joke landing with Moon Zappa appearance).
  • Craig Thomas (34:29): “That’s the sweetest part of this episode. That Ted knows Lily that well… he remembers this stoned night in college where she revealed this thing.”

14. Miscellaneous Comedy & Tribute to Jason Segel (cookie dough, legal catchphrases) (37:09–40:24)

• The running bit of Marshall longing to eat holiday cookie dough, and Jason Segel’s struggle with such beats—but always committing to the performance.
  • Craig Thomas (38:29): “He’s so funny with whatever it is. God bless you, Jason Siegel.”
  • Josh Radnor (39:37): “The hero move is to do it anyway… there’s no way to enjoy everything you’re asked to do across 200 episodes.”

15. Streaming Rights & Availability FAQs (43:13–45:29)

• HIMYM’s move from Netflix to Hulu discussed.
  • Craig Thomas (43:32): “It’s not on Netflix… it is still on Hulu. Internationally, it’s on Disney+. You can also buy the entire series.”
  • Assures fans: Not their choice, but Hulu is now the U.S. home.

16. Listener Questions & Set/Character Details (46:44–50:47)

• Set Design: The apartment hallway was sometimes a “swing set”—brought in for specific shots.
• Barney’s physical comedy: Neil Patrick Harris’s unmatched commitment and physicality, already evident in his audition.
• Ted’s jazz fandom: Not writer-driven; grew organically from wardrobe/set dressing, then occasionally referenced in scripts.

17. Listener Letter: The Show as Comfort & Hope (50:59–53:42)

• Letter from Sarah (UK): Describes HIMYM as “comfort food” yearly, relates to Ted’s hopeful/cynical romanticism, and always starts with “How Lily Stole Christmas.”
  • Sarah (read by Josh, 51:59): “...every time I bawl my eyes out nearly every episode of the last season. Because the romantic in me… still has a glimmer of hope that whoever it is I’m supposed to meet is just around the corner.”
  • Hosts express profound gratitude for such impacts.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On teaching English:
  “If we could get in a time machine and go back, Josh, to 2005 us…people are going to learn English by watching this show. It would have been…we weren’t thinking in 2005.” – Craig Thomas (03:31)

• On “Grinch” euphemism:
  “The word…starts with a C…It’s the word your friend will not forgive you for calling them.” – Josh Radnor (10:05)

• On Christmas episode inspiration:
  “A Christmas Story…was so influential on How I Met Your Mother for Carter and I. I’m currently touching the leg lamp from A Christmas Story.” – Craig Thomas (14:22)

• On comfort from discomfort:
  “How many people find comfort in this show while watching the characters go through deep discomfort.” – Josh Radnor (19:57) “It’s people’s comfort show, and it mostly depicts suffering.” – Craig Thomas (20:01)

• On acting the tough scenes:
  “The stuff that looks hard to do emotionally is what actors delight in doing… you’re just happy. You know, it’s juicy.” – Josh Radnor (21:43)

• On Jason Segel embracing weird gags:
  “The stuff you knew he didn’t like, he leaned into it. His way of coping was—he leaned into it more. Which is kind of a virtue as an actor.” – Josh Radnor (38:19)

• On fan letters and universal relatability:
  “Sara, may you meet your plonker.” – Craig Thomas (53:15) “We started this episode with learning English and we ended the episode in England. I think it’s really interesting.” – Craig Thomas (53:42)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Learning English / Global impact: 03:06–04:20
• Origins of Christmas episode: 04:43–06:29
• Old technology/Answering machine: 07:09–08:39
• Breakup/Group dynamics: 09:02–11:02
• "Grinch" word origins: 10:05–11:57
• Pop culture/lamp reference: 13:50–16:50
• Paradox of comfort shows: 19:45–20:07
• Ted-Lily confrontation (acting): 20:23–23:18
• Cookie dough/Jason Segel: 37:09–40:24
• Streaming availability/FAQs: 43:13–45:29
• Listener letter/comfort: 50:59–53:42

Final Thoughts

This episode masterfully blends comedic nostalgia, deep emotional reflection, and the behind-the-scenes craft that made “How Lily Stole Christmas” a standout holiday story. The hosts are candid, affectionate, and honest about regrets and delights in the process, while celebrating the show's global legacy. Fan stories and questions add personal resonance, echoing how HIMYM continues to comfort, entertain, and connect generations.

“To all you plonkers out there, thank you for joining us...We loved being with you and we’ll see you next time.”
– Josh Radnor (53:56)