How I Met Your Mother
8:30 p.m. Mondays, CBS (premieres Sept. 22)

It took me a long time to really discover this show, and although I have no intention of going back and DVD-marathoning the seasons I missed, its earned a spot on my TiVo for when I need an half-hour to kill.

The enveloping premise of HIMYM is really flimsy, and I don’t know why they don’t simply discard it – one of the characters is narrating stories of his 20-something days as a single in New York City to his future children.

Not only is this device completely useless and ignorable, but it resulted in an unfortunate title for the show which was probably fundamental in my ignoring it for so long.

Thankfully, it doesn’t interfere with the Friends-style premise of the show. Three guys, two girls, living in New York and having sexy fun. The secret weapon of the show is Neil Patrick Harris, who executes the perpetually suited and womanizing Barney flawlessly. The impossibly attractive Robin (Cobie Smuthers), also makes the show very easy to watch.

HIMYM is MUCH less plot-driven than Friends however. For example, in one episode this season, Barney and Robin hook up - on Friends we would have watched this unfold - it would be important (even if it wasn’t) - on HIMYM, the episode just starts with them in bed so we can skip to the post-coital hilarity.