Let me try this again. I did not mean that the show is not satire, rather that it does not satire the essence of the title character in the same way. Austin Powers takes satire to an absurd level by presenting the title character as an incompetent boob who nonetheless holds the position of super slueth. He only completes his mission by the work of others or by sheer luck.
I don’t see the title character of How I Met Your Mother being equally inept at seducing women. Am I wrong? Does he stumble and bumble his way into bed with the ladies?
Jason Stratham satirized his usual role at the tough guy in the film Spy. Ted Knight satirized the pompous news anchor in The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Casting Harris in this role seems like having Don Knotts playing Captain Kirk.
NPH is not the title character. He’s a barfly who befriends the title character Ted Mosby (the annoying Josh Radnor).
I watch reruns, and his character comes across as a real ladies’ man. I never think of him as a faggot while watching the show.