Alyson Hannigan

Michael Gross set to play Ted’s dad

LOS ANGELES — The producers of "How I Met Your Mother" plan to expand the world the show’s characters live in this season, and that will include meeting some of their relatives.

Ted’s (Josh Radnor) parents will be making an appearance early in the season, and you might recognize the elder Mr. Mosby.

Former "Family Ties" star/iconic TV dad Michael Gross will guest-star as Ted’s father in the CBS show’s third episode, scheduled for early October. Cristine Rose ("Charmed," "Picket Fences") will play his mom.

The episode, titled "Brunch," revolves around a brunch that Ted, girlfriend Robin (Cobie Smulders) and the rest of the gang have with Ted’s folks. In a conference call Wednesday, "Mother" star Neil Patrick Harris said the episode will involve multiple flashbacks showing that the happy facade everyone is putting up at the meal isn’t really how they feel.

"[Gross] was fantastic, and a perfect match" for Radnor’s Ted, Harris says.

In addition to "Family Ties," Gross has starred in "Tremors" (as well as several sequels and a Sci Fi Channel series) and all three "Law & Order" series, and had a recurring part as Noah Wyle’s father on "ER." He recently co-starred in the HBO movie "Mrs. Harris."

"How I Met Your Mother" has also lined up funk legend George Clinton for the season premiere, which will pick up with Marshall (Jason Segel) still in the dumps over Lily’s (Alyson Hannigan) decision to leave for San Francisco over the summer.

"He’s understandably devastated and tries to track her down. And it seems that he’s concerned that he’s off having an affair with George Clinton," Harris says with a laugh. "Because boy, when you think of who would be a great match with Alyson Hannigan, you think of George Clinton."

"How I Met Your Mother" begins its second season CBS Monday, Sept. 18.