They are supposed to be liked and I just can't like them.
Are they, though? A protagonist is really just the central or most important character, the person that events revolve around. There's no universal rule that they are or should be liked.
Also, Barney is not the protagonist of HIMYM :/
I don't think sitcoms have protagonist. main characters maybe. but anything involving the word "agonist" implies there is some ongoing conflict.
The protagonist is the main character. And most sitcoms do, unless the sitcom revolves around a couple who have equal importance (Sanford and Son). Hell, most sitcoms *name* the protag in their title: Seinfeld. Everybody Loves Raymond. Everybody Hates Chris. Malcolm in the Middle.
There are a few shows where everybody in a group seems to have equal importance -- Friends, Traffic Lights (although really it's just the guys who have precedence), The League, etc -- but they're more exceptions than the rule. Even shows like King of the Hill and the Simpsons -- which don't denote a person in the title -- feature the dad as the protagonist (and usually the son as a secondary).
protagonist just sounds like a odd word when the show has no main ongoing conflict. when I think protagonist I think someone whos standing up to a villain over the course of the story. if thats not the case main character is what I call them. ---
Cid- "looks like that overgrown lobster just got served!" Bartz-"with cheese biscuts AND mashed potatoes!"