Playing dumb
He was being stupid. But Robin was perfect. But it was stupid. Really, really stupid.
"And then they wanted me to fill in for our weatherman."
"You're gonna be doing the weather?"
"No way. I didn't do it. I mean come on, a clown, lame!"
"Clown?" Barney frowned and played dumb. "What clown?"
"Don't any of you watch my show?" He shook his head. "Really? You guys have literally never seen any part of it?"
"Well that's not completely true." It wasn't true at all; he's probably seen everything she's ever been in. "I did see that one barfing scene."