It looked fairly certain that How I Met Your Mother would be coming to an end with season eight which debuts on September 24th.

At the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour, CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler addressed rumors of a possible early renewal for a ninth installment. She said, “They know we want the show to come back next year, we’re having conversations right now. We’re not there yet in terms of resolving the season, we’re in early conversations and we’re pretty optimistic.”

Earlier, Carter Bays and Craig Thomas said that they have a plan to end the sitcom and finally reveal the identity of Ted’s future wife. They said however that giving the series a fixed end date very far in advance wasn’t necessary.

HIMYM star Josh Radnor recently talked to THR about a ninth season and said, “So many things have to drop into place for that to happen. They really need to figure it out because the writers need to know. They’re the pressing issue right now because they have to figure out if they’re wrapping up the show at the end of season eight or season nine. (We’ve) just very recently been approached about that and we really can’t say either way right now.”

He also noted that “We still have to show how Barney and Robin got to the altar, and Marshall and Lily have a kid, so there’s a lot going on in How I Met Your Mother-land.” He also indicated that viewers will be seeing a lot more of Victoria, aka Cupcake Girl (Ashley Williams), who showed up at the end of season seven.

What do you think? Do you think season eight should be the end or would you be interested in another season or two of How I Met Your Mother?