Alyson Hannigan can't act

[Relish in Chaos]

I like How I Met Your Mother. Despite the fact that I personally see it as a poor man's Friends because the overall set-up and certain annoying focus on romances bear strong resemmblances to it, it's quite funny with interesting characters, especially Barney.

However, there's one problem I've always had with it. Lily. I've always found her annoying, as well as the cheesy relationship between her and Marshall, which I've never been able to emotionally invest myself into. I could with Ted & Robin, JD & Elliott in Scrubs, and even Ross & Rachel in Friends. But not Lily & Marshall. I had been thinking about these for a while, trying to work out just why I didn't like her. And then I realized.

Alyson Hannigan is a bad actress. I never noticed it in the American Pie films, but perhaps that's because I was younger, and she wasn't really a main character anyway. But she plays Lily awkwardly, and she simply can't portray emotion believably. If you see her try to emit any other emotion than neutral or standard contentment, she just fails at it. No, I'm not talking about complete monotone blankness like Kristen Stewart. I'm talking about how, whenever she tries to act sad, or angry, or domineering, it just seems so fake and over-the-top, and draws away from the good performances from the rest of the cast.

 

[Hoplon]

Or simply that's how she is directed to act in the series, since she's not like that at all in Buffy.

 

[Nantucket_v1legacy]

What?
She was the best part of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. There's no way in hell she could be nominated for an Oscar but she works with what material she has and generally she does it very well. I have never seen How I Met Your Mother so I cannot comment on her acting in that but I always liked her in American Pie & Buffy.

To be honest though -- do you honestly judge the actors in American Pie? They're in American Pie! XD They tell sex jokes and get pissed on.

 

[Soundwave]

But she sure is easy on the eyes!

 

[Marter]

>Good acting
>Sitcom

Does not compute.

Yeah, that's a joke, but there's usually a reason that actors on shows like How I Met Your Mother are stuck on shows like How I Met Your Mother, and talent is often that reason.

Note: I've never actually seen the show, and am making a blanket generalization that may or may not be serious.

 

[Dangit2019]

I've personally haven't had a problem with her. She did fine in Buffy and her relationship with Marshall being "cheesy" is more of the writer's fault than hers.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

...

You don't like Hannigan?

You're dead to me.

Now that he's gone, I can continue to love Alyson Hannigan

 

[DugMachine]

She's written to be that cheesy character with Marshall and I absolutely love it. One of the only sitcoms I can enjoy nowadays.

Screw Buffy and American Pie, she will always be Lily to me!

 

[SckizoBoy]

But she sure is easy on the eyes!

Eh... used to be, not so much these days... -_-

No that he's gone, I can continue to love Alyson Hannigan

What you going to do about Alexis?? Timeshare?! ¬_¬

OT: Never seen any How I Met Your Mother... seen plenty of Buffy, though, and she was great on that show. Better than Sarah Michelle Gellar a lot of the time, that's for sure...

 

[Fatboy_41]

Alyson Hannigan is a bad actress. I never noticed it in the American Pie films, but perhaps that's because I was younger, and she wasn't really a main character anyway. But she plays Lily awkwardly, and she simply can't portray emotion believably. If you see her try to emit any other emotion than neutral or standard contentment, she just fails at it. No, I'm not talking about complete monotone blankness like Kristen Stewart. I'm talking about how, whenever she tries to act sad, or angry, or domineering, it just seems so fake and over-the-top, and draws away from the good performances from the rest of the cast.

Go watch the episodes in the middle of season 6 that revolve around a certain funeral. Her acting there is absolutely gorgeous.

 

[Lionsfan]

I don't think she's really a bad actress. I mean the show sucks, but for me it's not the acting killing it

>Good acting
>Sitcom

Does not compute.

Yeah, that's a joke, but there's usually a reason that actors on shows like How I Met Your Mother are stuck on shows like How I Met Your Mother, and talent is often that reason.

To me it's always funny seeing current sitcom stars in horrible movies, when they still had a chance not to be relegated to TV

I.E.

Alyson Hannigan is a bad actress. I never noticed it in the American Pie films, but perhaps that's because I was younger, and she wasn't really a main character anyway. But she plays Lily awkwardly, and she simply can't portray emotion believably. If you see her try to emit any other emotion than neutral or standard contentment, she just fails at it. No, I'm not talking about complete monotone blankness like Kristen Stewart. I'm talking about how, whenever she tries to act sad, or angry, or domineering, it just seems so fake and over-the-top, and draws away from the good performances from the rest of the cast.

Go watch the episodes in the middle of season 6 that revolve around a certain funeral. Her acting there is absolutely gorgeous.

A certain funeral? Dude way to ruin it for everybody....A Certain was the coolest girl on the show and you spoiled it for everyone that he dies

 

[Acton Hank]

>Good acting
>Sitcom

Does not compute.

Yeah, that's a joke, but there's usually a reason that actors on shows like How I Met Your Mother are stuck on shows like How I Met Your Mother, and talent is often that reason.

Note: I've never actually seen the show, and am making a blanket generalization that may or may not be serious.

Not always true; when you sign on to a TV series the contract often establishes a commitment that can last for multiple seasons, and given the tight schedule of TV it usually doesn't allow time for other commitments.

They wanted Pierce Brosnan to be James Bond for years but the contract with Remington Steele wouldn't allow him.

By the way, I rented 3 films for this week: Cabin In The Woods, Duel and Scorpion King 3; which one should I watch first?

 

[elvor0]

I dunno, it's not that bad, I'd say it was reasonable acting, there's not been points where I've cringed at her acting. Also, never judge anyone's acting skills based on American Pie, those films /are/ cringe worthy. Plus she was pretty good in Buffy.

Anyway, Lilly and Marshalls relationship is /supposed/ to be cheesy, what with Marshall being a total wet blanket about her, and Lilly being the "bubbly" one of the group. I'm not even sure you're supposed to be massively "invested" in their relationship, with the exception of Season 1 end/Season 2 start, they've always had a really stable relation ship, and are supposed to be the happy couple not only for the series, but also for Ted to aspire to.

Maybe I just feel different about the whole thing seeing as I didn't watch Friends growing up, but later on in chunks. I suspect if I had I may feel differently, but I don't have a proper comparison.

 

[Blunderboy]

...

You don't like Hannigan?

You're dead to me.

Now that he's gone, I can continue to love Alyson Hannigan

Daystar! You Son of a *****!

I might has well not bother. Every time I think of something brilliant to post, you ninja me.

 

[RyQ_TMC]

I can't really be objective here, because I had a massive teen-boner for Willow Rosenberg. But I think your criticism can be countered with: she's directed that way. The character of Lily is supposed to be the ditzy one of the pack. She's not a straight example of that, but I'd say her over-the-top acting is supposed to combine with her being the resident eye candy to come out as the "cheerleader".

 

[Sacman]

But she's so cute... she doesn't have to be a good actor...<.<

 

[Daystar Clarion]

snip

My goal in life is to ninja all the people on all the things.

 

[ramboondiea]

But she sure is easy on the eyes!

this is pretty damn true: (probably shouldn't click if at work or around prudish people)

Spoiler

also she ism't a bad actor, she just has an unfortunate role where she needs to be both serious and quirky, which means the character is a bit dodgy at best and a third wheel at worst.

 

[Random Argument Man]

What!? You hate Lily? Lily and Marshall are my favorite characters in that show. Lily acts like a good person, but we know that she has a darker side. Although, I may be a bit biased, because that's the only thing that liked from my ex... (The girl that got away...).

It's clear that you haven't seen Buffy though.