The episode received positive reviews by critics who praised the performances of Harris and Lithgow.

Later, Barney relates to the gang his meeting with Jerry, claiming he is a tour manager who loves Scotch, suits, and loose women as much as he does.

Jerry apologizes for abandoning Barney and helps him remove the hoop while teaching him how to use a screwdriver.

[3] "Legendaddy" stars Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson alongside fellow series regulars Josh Radnor as Ted Mosby, Jason Segel as Marshall Eriksen, Alyson Hannigan as Lily Aldrin, and Cobie Smulders as Robin Scherbatsky.

[3] Co-executive producer Craig Thomas said the issue about the identity of Barney's real father was already a plot point in the initial conceptualization of the series.

John Lithgow was the first choice to play Jerome Whittaker and the producers gave him a collection of specific episodes detailing Barney's father issues to help him get acquainted with the role.

[1][12][13] In a ranking for Collider Neha Rawani labelled the episode the fourth saddest of the series, below "Bad News" and above "Last Forever".