A lot of people seem to feel that way and I find it odd. In this particular show, I liked Josh Radnor alot more than the other 4.
And I was quite happy with the ending too, other than the fact that they crammed quite a bit into the last episode and felt rushed. It was good to see that even to the very end, this show really wasn't about the mother at all but about who Ted was BEFORE the mother (and how his earlier life didn't suddenly become meaningless once the mother came along, but in fact a very important part of his being).
I was quite happily surprised that they had the balls to kill of the mother and divorce Barney & Robin. Usually they make the fairytale ending where everything works out perfectly in the end and everyone lives happily ever after. I feel this ending was much more grounded and realistic.
Josh wasn't bad, but i though compared to the others he was the least funny. Also outside of HIMYM he is the only one i haven't seen do anything good. What did he do before and in between HIMYM? Nope nothing comes to mind. Maybe i just haven't watched his stuff, but i doubt he made anything noteworthy. Jason had parts in several comedies i have seen. Forgetting Sarah Marshall was good and he was the staring actor. Cobie looked good in the Avengers movie. Neil Patrick Harris was awesome in the Harold & Kumar movies and also Starship Troopers. And the fact that he might be the best show host there ever was. Do i even need to mention Alyson? She made the biggest impact before HIMYM and is probably the one i expect the most of after.
Describe the ending to someone that doesn`t sees the show but knows the premise.
You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end each of us must work for his own improvement, and at the same time share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful. -Marie Curie
Depends on what you find funny. I found Ted and his mannerisms to be more funny than any of the other characters (not to say the others weren't funny too).
The other actors being popular outside the show has no bearing on my opinion that Josh did a good job with Ted. As funny as I found the rest of the gang, I would have long given up on this show if it weren't for the fact that I liked Ted Mosby.
Apparently Randor won a Sundance award for his writing and directing. He was on a podcast that I heard and actually seems like an interesting guy.