Somehow – and by “somehow” I mean because I go out of my way to avoid CBS and the steady stream of bad sitcoms the network churns out – I missed out on six seasons of this very clever ensemble show despite high critical acclaim and five Emmy awards. Doogie Howser as a ladies’ man? No thanks. But thanks to the opportunity afforded me by a summer without suitably mindless entertainment I have discovered just how wrong I was.

The cast includes Josh Radnor as Ted (ostensibly main character), Alyson Hannigan (of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame), Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, and Neil Patrick Harris. Harris is absolutely sublime as Barney Stinson. He’s obnoxious, self-absorbed, lecherous, and somehow delightfully charming. As if this cast wasn’t enough, the one and only Bob Saget provides the voice of future-Ted and the narration for the story.

With six seasons already done, there are plenty of episodes out there. And since it airs about six times a night on the various cable networks it’s easy to catch. If you’re even less aware of this show than I was, the basic premise is that Ted, in the year 2030, sits down his two teenage children to tell them the story of – wait for it – how he met their mother. Along the way, he rambles through the entire history of his gang of friends from the 2000’s. So far, he’s rumbled through 136 stories (at 22 minutes apiece, he’s had those kids on the couch for something like 50 hours). The closest he’s come to actually getting to the part about their mom was briefly dating her college roommate, although he’s never so much as glimpsed his future wife in any of the tales so far.

How I Met Your Mother has already been green lighted by the network for another two seasons. The next one starts on September 19th, which means we (I’m lumping you in with me in the “missed out on this great show up until now” group) have less than two months to catch up. Crank up the DVR.

September 20

Castle (ABC)

Expect new and returning guests this season on Castle. Reports say that Ken Baumann (The Secret Life Of The American Teenager) will be appearing in a recurring role as Alexis Castle’s (Molly Quinn) first boyfriend. And expect devastating news by the second episode. There will be a death in the show.

Hawaii Five-O (CBS)

The new re-imagining of the 1968 successful TV series of the same name, starring Jack Lord, Hawaii Five-O premieres September 20 on CBS. Alex O’Loughlin will star as Detective Steve McGarrett, a former US Navy lieutenant commander turned cop and detective. Scott Caan is Detective Danny “Danno” Williams, Daniel Dae Kim as Detective Chin Ho Kelly and Grace Park as Detective Kona “Kono” Kalakaua.

House (FOX)

I think the most important thing about season 7 of House is the exploration of House and Cuddy’s relationship. What will happen when they try to give it a go? And, with Olivia Wilde taking a break from House to star in Cowboys and Aliens, a spot for a female doctor has opened up. And they’ve filled it with actress Amber Tamblyn, as a med student that House recruits even though she’s not 100% qualified to treat patients.

Chuck (NBC)

There’ll be a lot of events to look forward to on season 3 of Chuck. Expect a death, a childhood flashback between Chuck, his sister and dad, Big Mike getting romantic with a Subway sandwich and Chuck wearing a mustache. There’s also news leaking about the season 3 finale already. It’s a 2-hour finale titled “Chuck versus the Subway” and “Chuck versus The Ring”.

How I Met Your Mother (CBS)

There aren’t a lot of spoilers for season 6 of How I Met Your Mother. But one thing is known: first episode’s title will be “Big Day” and Rachel Bilson will be coming back to reprise her role as Cindy. Perhaps we’ll meet her roommate soon?

Which shows are you looking forward to this fall?

Before we start to tell the story, a short introduction about the characters. Ted Mosby is the main character who decides he wants to settle down and is actively looking for Mrs. Ted Mosby. Marshall Eriksen is Ted’s best friend, a lawyer and college roommate. Lily Eriksen, Marshall’s wife and one of Ted’s best friends, is a pre-school teacher. Robin Scherbatsky is Ted’s love interest and becomes one of his best friends. Barney Stinson, who Ted met a bar, is Ted and Marshall’s best friend and loves to pick up chicks.

In Season 1, Ted meets two girls, Robin and Victoria. He meets Robin at a bar, when their eyes meet from two sides of the room. On their first date, Ted botches up their possible connection when he says he’s in love with Robin. Robin freaks out and dumps Ted. He meets Victoria at a friend’s wedding and falls in love with her. Her relationship with Ted also sparks Robin’s hidden interest in Ted. In the end, Victoria has to leave for Germany, and Ted wins Robin back.

In Season 2, Ted and Robin have a blissful relationship while Marshall has the worst time when Lily leaves him to attend an art program in San Francisco. She calls off the wedding, and Marshall has to face the reality alone. Eventually, Ted and Robin break up when they realize they are not perfect for each other. Lily comes back and she and Marshall get back together. They get married at the end.

In Season 3, Ted meets Sarah, a dermatologist who removes a tattoo on Ted’s back. They fall in love with each other, and Ted proposes to Sarah who accepts the proposal. Meanwhile, after a depressing but surprising night together, Barney realizes he has developed feelings for Robin.

In Season 4, Ted and Sarah are caught up in wedding preparations. On their wedding day, however, Sarah realizes she still has feelings for her ex-husband and leaves Ted. Ted gets fired from his job and starts his own firm. Robin starts to live with him when Marshall and Lily buy their own place. Barney reveals his feelings for Robin to her.

In Season 5, which is currently on air on CBS, Ted now has a teaching job at the university. Barney and Robin become an item. Ted continues to date, and gives us all a teaser: his future wife was in the first class he stepped into.

Wanna know how Ted Mosby met his wife? Know the story on How I Met Your Mother (CBS), Mondays, 8:30pm.