Hi everyone! I’m very pleased to be writing to you as the new Diversions columnist. We recently decided to make a column commenting on the thing that affects us daily – pop culture. Whether you admit it or not, pop culture is a huge part of our society and there really is no escaping it. So if you’re like me, embrace the seemingly useless stuff and realize that pop culture is what makes our lives so interesting. Pop culture isn’t just about Britney’s latest meltdown, and neither is this column. It is something that I hope will not only entertain you, but really make you think. Even if you don’t agree with what I say, I hope that you come away with some new insight having read this column. That being said, I hope you enjoy the first of what I hope to be many commentaries on pop culture.

With the writers still on strike, it is depressingly hard to watch any sort of good scripted television nowadays. As much as I adore “Project Runway” and re-runs of “America’s Next Top Model,” I find myself wishing I could get a much needed dose of witty humor. Plus, even though Tyra is the most intelligent, hilarious, gorgeous and amazing person, nay, gift sent by God himself to brighten our pathetic lives, she cannot compete with the likes of Steve Carell or Tina Fey. So when I can’t take anymore “fierceness” (yes, guys, sometimes girls do get sick of ANTM when they’ve seen the same cycle five times), and I can’t seem to get into “My Big Redneck Wedding,” I turn to my new favorite thing – “How I Met Your Mother,” seasons one and two on DVD.

This show is by far one of the best ones I have seen in a long time. For those of you who haven’t seen it, the show is a lot like “Friends,” only better. In fact, in one episode they attempt to hang out in a coffeehouse, and decree that hanging out in a bar is way better. The show stars Josh Radnor as the lovable Ted who most resembles Ross; Cobie Smulders as his on-again, off-again girlfriend, Robin, (Rachel); Jason Segel as Ted’s best friend, Marshall, (Chandler); Alyson Hannigan as Lily, Marshall’s fiancée, (Monica); and finally Neil Patrick Harris as the womanizing Barney (Joey). Yet, “How I Met Your Mother” is a lot wittier, sexier and more hi – “wait for it” – larious than any episode of “Friends.” Now, I’m not saying I don’t love “Friends.” We all love “Friends.” It’s a show that we grew up with and it was an original of its time. But this show took the plot of friends always hanging out, twisted it around and then added N.P.H. How could it be bad?

The five friends (no one is a Phoebe) do things like: solve problems with alcohol, constantly make fun of Canada, play pranks on one another and play laser tag. In the Christmas episode I just saw, Ted has to spend the holiday with his super religious cousin. You can imagine the hilarity with lines like, “They think Santa’s how Satan spells his name when he wants to trick us” and “I got you presents.” “Like the gift of God’s love?” “No dude. Real presents.” Or when Lily wants the gang to camp out for a wedding dress designer sale, Barney replies, “I can’t go, I’ve got this thing.” “What thing?” “A penis.”

While those are examples of the one-liners “How I Met Your Mother” has to offer, repeating them doesn’t do the show nearly enough justice. It is just something you’ll have to see for yourself. Plus, even though the first season is hilarious, the second season is really when they get going and you could even start there. You wouldn’t miss much because they recap the important events from the first season in the first episode. You could also start watching the third season on CBS every Monday night at 7 p.m. However, I recommend starting with the first season because that’s when you really get to know the characters’ personalities. Even if I’m not really selling it to you, check out the show because it is well worth it!

Colleen Loggins is a junior in Communications. She enjoys watching mindless television and can now justify doing so.