Cobie Smulders reveals on-set secrets from How I Met Your Mother

Cobie Smulders reveals she whispered “extremely inappropriate” things to Josh Radnor before filming love scenes.

Cobie Smulders, known for her role as Robin Scherbatsky on How I Met Your Mother, has revealed a surprising behind-the-scenes ritual involving co-star Josh Radnor.

Speaking on the How We Made Your Mother podcast with Radnor and series co-creator Craig Thomas, Smulders said she had a habit of whispering “extremely inappropriate” things to Radnor just before filming their intimate scenes.

Smulders explained that the tactic was part of an acting method known as “the moment before,” used to build emotional continuity prior to a scene. However, her version was far from traditional. “Typically it was what we just did. And usually it was sexual,” Smulders said, adding that the comments would often make Radnor blush and leave him speechless.

Radnor confirmed Smulders’ claim and praised her comic timing. “She would time it in such a way that she would finish saying it, they’d call ‘action,’ and I couldn’t speak,” he said. He also joked that Smulders could write “the filthiest romance novels” due to her creativity.

While Neil Patrick Harris was also known for making crude remarks on set, Radnor said Smulders surpassed everyone in terms of shock value. Interestingly, co-creator Craig Thomas said he had no idea this dynamic existed during filming.

How I Met Your Mother originally aired on CBS and is currently streaming on Netflix and Hulu.