When it comes to watching TV, I’m a pretty discriminate viewer. I don’t usually fall for the drivel that MTV and VH1 pass off as intelligent programming.
In addition, I rarely catch any of the shows on HBO or Showtime because, as a broke college student lacking a magical money tree, I can’t afford to shell out the cash. So, I have to settle for network programming.
Many of you are routinely burned by such craptastic fare as ‘Viva Laughlin,” ‘Joey,” ‘That 80’s Show” and ‘Big Brother” (what’s that? ‘Big Brother” is still on? Terrible news).
Fear not, for I am here to deliver you from the clutches of garbage and introduce you to a show that will make you laugh, make you cry and maybe help you reach your dietary goals. I’m talking, of course, about ‘How I Met Your Mother” (airing Mondays at 8:30 p.m. on CBS).
For all of you who are unfamiliar with the plotline, it’s pretty basic. A guy named Ted (Josh Radnor) decides that, he needs to find himself a woman. Helping him on this journey of self-discovery are his best friend, Marshall (Jason Segel) and Marshall’s wife Lilly (Alyson Hannigan), his on-again off-again love interest, Robin (the smoking-hot Cobie Smulders) and his semi- best friend, Barney (Neil Patrick Harris).
Not only is the story pretty engaging and told by way of flashbacks, but there’s also something for everyone.
For all the ‘Buffy” fans, I hear Hannigan used to be on that show. Anyone who’s loved themselves some Doogie Howser will probably be excited about cast member Neil Patrick.
Also, anyone who liked seeing Jason Segel’s junk in ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall” will be pleased to note that he’s a more prominent member (pun intended) of the show. Cobie Smulders is just eye candy, but I’ll be hot damned if she isn’t the finest female that Canada has ever produced.
For those of you who want to watch the show, may I suggest starting with episode 10 of the first season, entitled ‘The Pineapple Incident”? It’s pretty legendary. All the elements of the show are on prominent display along with a special guest star, Danica McKellar (Winnie from ‘Wonder Years.” Delicious). Part of the appeal of the show is the fact that it uses regular storylines and presents them in a light and engaging way.
Also, if you’re a fan of catch phrases, this show is for you. Now, I don’t want to spoil any of the fun and excitement of hearing ‘Suit up!” for the first time, but it suffices to say that it’s awesome.
Some of you may still have questions like, ‘Will the show still be on air if I decide to watch it?” or ‘Are there any other hot chicks who may wander onto the set?”
The answer to both those questions is an undeniable yes. Not only has the show been picked up for at least one more season (it just started a syndication run on Lifetime score!), but the quality of bimbos that Ted sleeps with is getting better as the show meanders backward to show us exactly who Ted ends up banging for the rest of his life (a.k.a. the mother).
The show is a remarkable achievement of looking at a romantic comedy from a guy’s perspective not Hugh Grant, but rather that creepy guy at the bar who keeps hitting on your girlfriend while whispering dirty, awful comments to the waitress.
So if you are at all a fan of hot chicks, bars, drunk people, yellow umbrellas, suits, Nicaragua, hot Canadians, Minnesota, blue French horns, crazy eyes, wedding cakes or waitresses named Wendy, then this show is for you.
Maystrovsky is a member of the class of 2009.
