How I Met Your Mother writers 'feel terrible about it'

Writers of American sitcom How I Met Your Mother have apologised after being accused of racism.

The show caused a storm because of an episode in which white cast members were made to look more Chinese with ‘yellowface’ make-up. And then they put on an accent.

The episode, Slapsgiving 3: Slappointment in Slapmarra, was a spoof of kung-fu movies in which regular character Marshall travelled to Shanghai to learn a fake martial arts.

Along the way, regular cast members Josh Radnor, Cobie Smulders and Alyson Hannigan appeared as Chinese versions of their usual characters, acting as gurus.

The episode, which aired on CBS earlier in the week, prompted protests on Twitter with the hashtag #HowIMetYourRacism.

Now writer Carter Bays has tweeted an apology, saying: ‘With Monday's episode, we set out to make a silly and unabashedly immature homage to Kung Fu movies, a genre we've always loved.

‘But along the way we offended people. We're deeply sorry, and we're grateful to everyone who spoke up to make us aware of it.”

‘We try to make a show that's universal, that anyone can watch and enjoy. We fell short of that this week, and feel terrible about it.

‘To everyone we offended, I hope we can regain your friendship, and end this series on a note of goodwill. Thanks.’

Executive producer Craig Thomas said he echoed the sentiments, and apologised too.

How I Met Your Mother airs on E4 in the UK.

Published: 16 Jan 2014