We’ve arrived – the time of year where things are merry and jolly, and there’s no more new TV for a bit.

I’m usually okay with this. As much of a TV junkie as I am, it’s always kind of nice to have a break. I can catch up on other things, be it books, movies, or other TV shows. Hell, during the writers’ strike last year, I got through all five seasons of Six Feet Under. Never would have done that if there hadn’t been a strike. (NOTE: This does not mean I want another one! Hear me, SAG?)

So we’re pretty much done with TV for 2008 . My DVR will tape tonight’s Pushing Daisies and then…nothing.

But that’s not what I want to talk about. I want to talk about Monday night. Earlier this fall, I was a wee bit overwhelmed on Mondays. Chuck, Heroes AND HIMYM? It got to be too much. So I decided to drop Chuck and Heroes. (GAASSPPP!) I know. But, here’s the thing – I was never a huge fan of Chuck. I think Zachary Levi is cute, and I like Adam Baldwin, but…it’s the same thing. Every. Single. Week. And it just got old. I didn’t care. Sorry, Internet. I don’t care about your beloved show. As for Heroes, well, I think we can all agree it peaked in season 1 and has been downhill since. No amount of HRG or Sylar can save it for me. (Though I would watch a HRG/Sylar spin off. I don’t know how it would work, but get on that, writers.)

So, my once super crowded Monday nights got whittled down to one show. Much less stressful. (Don’t believe me? Read this.)  A routine began – get home, do whatever till 8, start to make dinner (usually pasta) and be in front of the TV by 8:25. (Yes, I watch HIMYM live. I love it that much. That, The Office and 30 Rock. I’ll watch your commercials. I don’t care.) Thus, I kept on catching the last five minutes of The Big Bang Theory. I’d heard good things about the show, I’d heard not-so-good things. Despite the fact that Johnny Galecki talks in a weird nerdy voice the entire time, those last five minutes every week started growing on me. So, somewhere in October, I started my routine earlier – come home, do whatever until 7:30, start making dinner (usually pasta), and be in front of the TV by 8.

So about the show – it’s not the best thing ever. It’s not the worst thing ever. Sometimes, it is very, very funny. Sometimes it’s not. But I always enjoy at least part of it, and Jim Parsons cracks me up. (I know he’s the obvious character to like, but…) I still hate Johnny Galecki talking in a faux nerd-voice, because really, who is he fooling, we all saw Roseanne. However, this is made up slightly by the fact that Moist is cast member. He also has a nerdy voice, but it’s real. (Every time I see him, I think, “You need anything dampened…or made…soggy?”) Point is, it’s grown on me. I’m officially a fan. As I told my roommate on Monday, “It’s not the best show in the world, but it’s…pleasant.” It’s easy. And, as a semi-geeky girl myself (full disclosure – I went to Dragon*Con in 2003), I am amused by comic book/geeky humor. (One of my favorites  is “Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock.”)

So, if you’re looking for something to fill that 8-8:30 time-slot on Monday nights (seriously, Chuck is the same thing every week; you don’t need to watch), I recommend the Big Bang Theory. Come for Sheldon, stay for Penny and Walowitz. It’s a nice way to eat dinner and wait for HIMYM.

Here’s a snippet from the latest episode.  It had me rolling. Set up: Next door neighbor Penny buys Christmas presents for Sheldon and Leonard. This sends Sheldon into a frenzy, as he feels receiving a gift is nothing more than an obligation to reciprocate (which…I agree with to a point –we’ve all been caught off guard with an unexpected gift, and it’s awkward for everyone involved). So he buys a bunch of presents, intending to give her the one that best matches her monetary amount.

It’s even funnier the second time around. Maybe I’ll catch up on season 1 over the winter hiatus.

Video of the Day:  Happy Holidays from Barney Stinson!