For the last two weeks, I’ve felt something on Monday evenings I haven’t felt since early season six of Gilmore Girls. I’ve felt excited to watch a TV show.

Now, I know those who know me are thinking, “Wait a sec. What about The Office? What about 30 Rock? Or Friday Night Lights?”

Well, that’s true, I love all those shows, and am always glad when a new episode comes around.

But when it comes to being genuinely excited, to having a little feeling of anticipation in my stomach all day, wondering what will happen this week, and knowing that, no matter what, I’ll be entertained and satisfied, well, no, I haven’t felt like that since the heyday of Gilmore.

Until now.

I came to the party a couple of years late, just catching up on the show over the summer, but Monday nights are now more exciting in my house because of a little show called How I Met Your Mother.

I was skeptical of the show at first. It was always entertaining, and at least somewhat funny, but didn’t truly win my heart until episode 14 of season 1, entitled “Zip, Zip, Zip.” To  HIMYM fans, this is the episode where, in a mere 22 minutes, Lily and Marshall break the pee barrier, Ted and Victoria finally consummate their relationship (and thus, the great line, “I want to know you. I want to like, know your SOUL”), and Robin and Barney become bros (which was the icing on top of the cupcake that was this episode. Get it? Cupcake?) and have a faux date of laser tag, cigar smoking, scotch swilling, freeze frame high fiving, and of course, Battleship.

And with that, I was hooked. And somehow, episodes 1 to 13 became a lot better. Funny how that happens.

How I Met Your Mother is the best half-hour comedy you’re not watching. (If we’re keeping score, this means Friday Night Lights is the best hour show you’re not watching. Or, didn’t bother to watch in the first place. If you had, you could still be watching now, instead of waiting for next year. See what you did??)

It takes a few episodes to get into the rhythm of the show – its frequent flashbacks, self-referencing (kind of like Arrested Development) and unique lingo. (i.e. “Lemon Law”, “Underpants Radius”, Slap Bet”, and “Hot-Crazy Scale”, to name a few.) However, once you know the characters, their relationships, quirks, and intricacies, there is really nothing funnier on TV right now.

When people hear about HIMYM, they pretty much only hear about Barney, played by TV Boyfriend Neil Patrick Harris. Now, I’m not gonna deny that he is fantastic on the show, because he is. He gives heart to a character that would otherwise be detestable. (Think Steve Carell on The Office.) He is absolutely my favorite character, not only on the show, but currently in prime time. However, I’m gonna put aside the NPH love, and give a shout out to Ms. Cobie Smulders, who plays Robin Scherbatsky.

Who?

Yeah I didn’t know who she was either, before this show. I think this actress has a bright future ahead of her. She’s got great comic timing (Five words from last week’s episode: “I will eat your hand!”), she’s beautiful, and has proved she can hold her own against the rest of the cast — all of whom have impressive and extensive resumes, in both film and theater.

Bottom line, any show that can think of this this is aces.

Makes me laugh every time.

How I Met Your Mother is currently airing its fourth season. It’s on Monday nights at 8:30 on CBS. Check it out. You won’t regret it.

Video of the Day:

While we’re on the HIMYM kick, here’s another one of my favorite scenes: