Alyson Hannigan 1989, her first regular role on a TV series came when she was cast in the short-lived ABC sitcom "Free Spirit". As a teenager, Hannigan babysat for the children of her future "How I Met Your Mother" costar, Bob Saget. In 1997, Hannigan was cast to play Willow Rosenberg, Buffy Summers' best friend, on the television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". The show became a success, and Hannigan gained recognition, subsequently appearing in several films aimed at teenaged audiences, including "American Pie" (1999), "Boys and Girls" (2000), "American Pie 2" (2001), and "American Wedding" (2003). She also had a guest
The Body (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) of Sarah Michelle Gellar, Michelle Trachtenberg, Alyson Hannigan, and Amber Benson. "The Body", according to Bianculli is "Emmy-worthy ... It also will haunt you—but not in the normal way associated with this still-evolving, still-achieving series." Television critic Alesia Redding and editor Joe Vince of the "South Bend Tribune" write, "I was riveted by this show ... This isn't just one of the best "Buffy" episodes of all time. It's one of the best episodes of TV of all time." Redding adds, "If you watch this incredible episode and don't recognize it as great TV, you're hopeless ... A 'fantasy' show