Slutty Pumpkin
Encyclopedia
"Slutty Pumpkin" is the 6th episode in the first season of the television series How I Met Your Mother
. It originally aired on October 24, 2005.
and Lily
are very excited about Halloween
, and have received their costumes in the mail. Marshall has decided to dress up as Jack Sparrow, and Lily as a green parrot. They really hope to win the costume contest at the bar and win the prize of a $50 gift certificate having spent $100 dollars each on their costumes. They invite Robin
and her new boyfriend Mike. Although Robin told them neither she nor Mike were dressing up, Mike comes dressed as Hansel, and asks Robin why she isn't dressed as Gretel. They go down to McLaren's, and Lily notices that Robin doesn't appear interested in Mike, even though Mike is obviously interested in her. Lily tells Robin that in order to avoid losing Mike, she is going to have to do "couple things" (such as share food, hold hands, etc.) and not send Mike the wrong signals. Robin tries, but she doesn't succeed, and Mike breaks up with her. Marshall and Lily do indeed win the costume contest.
Ted
spends his Halloween waiting for the "slutty pumpkin" (which has strategically carved holes) that he met in 2001. Ted really likes this girl, but he lost her phone number when Lily gave away the Kit Kat
that he had written the girl's phone number on. All he knows about this girl is she has studied penguins and enjoys making a drink that combines Kahlúa
and Root beer
which she likes to call "The Tootsie Roll". Every year he waits at the same party, dressed in the same old costume, a hanging chad
, hoping the "slutty pumpkin" will be there.
Barney
wants him to come to a Victoria's Secret
party on a yacht, but Ted stays at the party, even though the "slutty pumpkin" doesn't show up. (He thought she did at one point, but it was Barney, who was already in his third costume of the night, intentionally trying to fool him by dressing as a penguin and making "the Tootsie Roll".) Ted finally gives up and goes to the roof to think. Robin, knowing he'd be up there, comes up to the roof, and sits and talks with him for a while.
) from the film Say Anything....
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 19, 2005, created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays.As a framing device, the main character, Ted Mosby with narration by Bob Saget, in the year 2030 recounts to his son and daughter the events that led to his meeting...
. It originally aired on October 24, 2005.
Plot
MarshallMarshall Eriksen
Marshall Eriksen is a fictional character in the American sitcom How I Met Your Mother, created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas and portrayed by Jason Segel.-Character profile:Marshall is an easy-going, naive optimist from St. Cloud, Minnesota...
and Lily
Lily Aldrin
Lillian "Lily" Aldrin is a fictional character created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by American actress Alyson Hannigan. She is the wife of Marshall Eriksen and the best friend of Robin Scherbatsky...
are very excited about Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
, and have received their costumes in the mail. Marshall has decided to dress up as Jack Sparrow, and Lily as a green parrot. They really hope to win the costume contest at the bar and win the prize of a $50 gift certificate having spent $100 dollars each on their costumes. They invite Robin
Robin Scherbatsky
Robin Charles Scherbatsky, Jr. is a fictional character created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Canadian actress Cobie Smulders.- Early life :...
and her new boyfriend Mike. Although Robin told them neither she nor Mike were dressing up, Mike comes dressed as Hansel, and asks Robin why she isn't dressed as Gretel. They go down to McLaren's, and Lily notices that Robin doesn't appear interested in Mike, even though Mike is obviously interested in her. Lily tells Robin that in order to avoid losing Mike, she is going to have to do "couple things" (such as share food, hold hands, etc.) and not send Mike the wrong signals. Robin tries, but she doesn't succeed, and Mike breaks up with her. Marshall and Lily do indeed win the costume contest.
Ted
Ted Mosby
Theodore Evelyn "Ted" Mosby is the titular fictional character of the U.S. television sitcom How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Josh Radnor...
spends his Halloween waiting for the "slutty pumpkin" (which has strategically carved holes) that he met in 2001. Ted really likes this girl, but he lost her phone number when Lily gave away the Kit Kat
Kit Kat
Kit Kat is a chocolate-coated wafer confection that was created by Rowntree's of York, England, and is now produced worldwide by Nestlé, which acquired Rowntree in 1988, except in the United States where it is made under licence by The Hershey Company. Each bar consists of fingers composed of three...
that he had written the girl's phone number on. All he knows about this girl is she has studied penguins and enjoys making a drink that combines Kahlúa
Kahlúa
Kahlúa is a Mexican coffee-flavored rum-based liqueur. It is dense and sweet, with the distinct taste of coffee, from which it is made. Kahlúa also contains sugar, corn syrup and vanilla bean.-History:...
and Root beer
Root beer
Root beer is a carbonated, sweetened beverage, originally made using the root of a sassafras plant as the primary flavor. Root beer, popularized in North America, comes in two forms: alcoholic and soft drink. The historical root beer was analogous to small beer in that the process provided a drink...
which she likes to call "The Tootsie Roll". Every year he waits at the same party, dressed in the same old costume, a hanging chad
Chad (paper)
Chad refers to paper fragments created when holes are made in a paper, card or similar synthetic materials, typically computer punched tape or punched cards. Sometimes chad has been used as a mass noun or as a countable noun, and the plural is commonly either "chad" or "chads"...
, hoping the "slutty pumpkin" will be there.
Barney
Barney Stinson
Barnabas "Barney" Stinson is a fictional character created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris. The character has been extremely well received by critics and has been credited for much of the show's success...
wants him to come to a Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret is an American retailer of women's wear, lingerie and beauty products. It is the largest segment of publicly-traded Limited Brands with sales of over US$5 billion and an operating income of $1 billion in 2006...
party on a yacht, but Ted stays at the party, even though the "slutty pumpkin" doesn't show up. (He thought she did at one point, but it was Barney, who was already in his third costume of the night, intentionally trying to fool him by dressing as a penguin and making "the Tootsie Roll".) Ted finally gives up and goes to the roof to think. Robin, knowing he'd be up there, comes up to the roof, and sits and talks with him for a while.
Music
- Kenny LogginsKenny LogginsDuring the next decade, Loggins recorded so many successful songs for film soundtracks that he was referred to as, King of the Movie Soundtrack.He began with "I'm Alright" , "Mr. Night", and "Lead the Way" from Caddyshack...
- "Danger Zone" - Nada SurfNada SurfNada Surf is an American alternative rock band. Formed in 1992, the New York band consists of Matthew Caws , Ira Elliot and Daniel Lorca .-Early years:...
- "Inside of Love" (not on DVD release)
Cultural references
- Marshall is dressed as Captain Jack SparrowCaptain Jack SparrowJack Sparrow is a fictional character and the central protagonist in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series created by screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, portrayed by Johnny Depp. He is first introduced in the film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl...
from the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Throughout the episode, it is pointed out that Marshall is wearing eyeliner, to which he replies, "weirdly hot, right?". Also, Robin notes that there are many guys dressed as "gayGayGay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
pirates" because they are all wearing eyeliner. Marshall tries to refute this by saying, "I have sex with my parrot all the time," referring to Lily, who is dressed as a parrot. - Marshall references Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the JediStar Wars Episode VI: Return of the JediStar Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi is a 1983 American epic space opera film directed by Richard Marquand and written by George Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan. It is the third film released in the Star Wars saga, and the sixth in terms of the series' internal chronology...
when he says "The rebellionRebel AllianceThe Alliance to Restore the Republic is an interstellar faction of the fictional universe of Star Wars....
would have failed without Ewoks". - In the 2001 Halloween flashback, Lily and Marshall are dressed as Sonny & CherSonny & CherSonny & Cher were an American pop music duo, actors, singers and entertainers made up of husband-and-wife team Sonny and Cher Bono in the 1960s and 1970s. The couple started their career in the mid-1960s as R&B backing singers for record producer Phil Spector....
, respectively (Lily as Sonny and Marshall as Cher). - Mike dresses as Hänsel (with Robin supposed to be dressed as Gretel) from the classic fairy tale Hänsel and GretelHansel and Gretel"Hansel and Gretel" is a well-known fairy tale of German origin, recorded by the Brothers Grimm and published in 1812. Hansel and Gretel are a young brother and sister threatened by a cannibalistic hag living deep in the forest in a house constructed of cake and confectionery. The two children...
. - Ted, since 2001, has dressed as a hanging chadChad (paper)Chad refers to paper fragments created when holes are made in a paper, card or similar synthetic materials, typically computer punched tape or punched cards. Sometimes chad has been used as a mass noun or as a countable noun, and the plural is commonly either "chad" or "chads"...
as in reference to the voting controversy in FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
during the 2000 U.S. Presidential ElectionUnited States presidential election, 2000The United States presidential election of 2000 was a contest between Republican candidate George W. Bush, then-governor of Texas and son of former president George H. W. Bush , and Democratic candidate Al Gore, then-Vice President....
. Lily complains that no one understands Ted's costume anymore, which Marshall says offers a sad commentary about society. - Barney's first costume (of three that night) is that of a fighter pilot, with many obvious references to the film Top GunTop GunTop Gun may refer to:* Top Gun is a 1986 film starring Tom Cruise.**Top Gun , soundtrack to the movie**Top Gun , a number of games based on the movie...
. When he shows up at Ted's apartment, he has a boombox playing "Danger ZoneDanger Zone (Top Gun song)"Danger Zone" is the title of a song written by Giorgio Moroder and Tom Whitlock, and recorded by American singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins. The song appeared on the soundtrack to the 1986 American motion picture Top Gun.-Overview:...
" by Kenny LogginsKenny LogginsDuring the next decade, Loggins recorded so many successful songs for film soundtracks that he was referred to as, King of the Movie Soundtrack.He began with "I'm Alright" , "Mr. Night", and "Lead the Way" from Caddyshack...
. Barney wants Ted to be his wingmanWingman (social)Wingman is a role that a person may take when a friend needs support with approaching potential partners. A wingman is someone who is on the "inside" and is used to help someone with relationships...
and tells him to "flightsuit up," but Ted refuses, at which point Barney quotes the film, saying, "Oh, you're dangerous, Maverick. Your ego's writing checks your body can't cash." - Barney says that he can get Ted and him into a Victoria's SecretVictoria's SecretVictoria's Secret is an American retailer of women's wear, lingerie and beauty products. It is the largest segment of publicly-traded Limited Brands with sales of over US$5 billion and an operating income of $1 billion in 2006...
party, which they eventually do go to in "The YipsThe Yips (How I Met Your Mother episode)"The Yips" is the tenth episode in the third season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 54th overall. It originally aired on November 26, 2007.- Plot :...
". - Ted waiting up all night on Halloween for the Slutty Pumpkin to appear is reminiscent of LinusLinus van PeltLinus van Pelt is a character in Charles M. Schulz's comic strip Peanuts. The best friend of Charlie Brown, Linus is also the younger brother of Lucy van Pelt and older brother of Rerun van Pelt. He first appeared on September 19, 1952; however, he was not mentioned by name until three days later....
waiting for the Great Pumpkin in It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie BrownIt's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie BrownIt's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a 1966 American prime time animated television special based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz....
. At the end, The Shagarats sing the PeanutsPeanutsPeanuts is a syndicated daily and Sunday American comic strip written and illustrated by Charles M. Schulz, which ran from October 2, 1950, to February 13, 2000, continuing in reruns afterward...
theme, "Linus and LucyLinus and Lucy"Linus and Lucy" is a popular jazz piano tune written by Vince Guaraldi appearing in many of the Peanuts animated television specials. Named for the fictional siblings Linus and Lucy van Pelt, it was released in 1964 on the Vince Guaraldi Trio's album Jazz Impressions of a Boy Named Charlie Brown...
". - Ted says, "are we playing I never because all that's left is Peach Schnapps", referencing the drinking game I never.
Continuity
- In the Season 5 episode "BagpipesBagpipes (How I Met Your Mother)"Bagpipes" is the sixth episode of the fifth season of the CBS situation comedy How I Met Your Mother and 94th overall. It originally aired on November 2, 2009.- Plot :...
", it's shown that Robin hates nicknames and never uses them. But in this episode she calls Ted "Teddy Boy". - Robin said that she didn't play team sports growing up. But in the season 4 episode "Happily Ever AfterHappily Ever After (How I Met Your Mother)"Happily Ever After" is the sixth episode in the fourth season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 70th overall. It originally aired on November 3, 2008.- Plot :The day after Stella ran out on their wedding, Ted is unusually happy...
", she is shown on a hockey team. She also mentions how she missed her prom because she had a field hockey game the next day. - In "Zip, Zip, ZipZip, Zip, Zip"Zip, Zip, Zip" is the 14th episode in the first season of the television series How I Met Your Mother. It originally aired on February 6, 2006.-Plot:...
" Marshall says that Lily has never peed in front of him before. But in this episode Marshall goes with Lily when she has to pee. - Barney's Top GunTop GunTop Gun may refer to:* Top Gun is a 1986 film starring Tom Cruise.**Top Gun , soundtrack to the movie**Top Gun , a number of games based on the movie...
line is re-spun by Lily in the Season 6 episode "Baby TalkBaby Talk (How I Met Your Mother)"Baby Talk" is the sixth episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 118th episode overall. It aired on October 25, 2010.- Plot :Marshall and Lily visit Stuart and Claudia, who are having trouble naming their newborn baby...
". - In "The Slutty Pumpkin ReturnsThe Slutty Pumpkin Returns"The Slutty Pumpkin Returns" is the eighth episode of the seventh season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 144th episode overall...
", Ted finally meets the Slutty Pumpkin, played by Katie HolmesKatie HolmesKatherine Noelle "Katie" Holmes is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB television teen drama Dawson's Creek from 1998 to 2003. Her movie roles have included the blockbuster Batman Begins along with art house films such as The Ice Storm and thrillers...
.
Barney's Blog
- In his blog, Barney describes his Halloween routine, briefly (and vaguely) recaps the events from the year before, and ends the blog with a quiz to see if people were able to figure what happened.
- Clicking on the 'Solution' button reveals what actually happened, at least according to Barney.
Recurring elements introduced in this episode
- Barney adapting his name into a nickname — e.g. in this episode he says that "The Barnacle" will stick to the yacht with the Victoria Secret party, he calls his apartment "The Fortress of Barnitude" (a reference to Fortress of SolitudeFortress of SolitudeThe Fortress of Solitude is the occasional headquarters of Superman in DC Comics. Its predecessor, Superman's "Secret Citadel", first appeared in Superman #17, where it was said to be built into a mountain on the outskirts of Metropolis...
). - Marshall and Lily's nicknames for each other: Marshmallow and Lilypad.
- Lily's frequent urination problem
Production
In an interview for Television Without Pity series co-creator Craig Thomas said that every season the writers discuss at length how the Slutty Pumpkin might factor into the mythology of the show. He describes Ted waiting optimistically as being like Lloyd Dobler (portrayed by John CusackJohn Cusack
John Paul Cusack is an American film actor and screenwriter. He has appeared in more than 50 films, including The Journey of Natty Gann, Say Anything..., Grosse Point Blank, The Thin Red Line, Stand by Me, Con Air, Being John Malkovich, High Fidelity, Serendipity, Runaway Jury, The Ice Harvest,...
) from the film Say Anything....