My Favorite "How I Met Your Mother" Episode

Someone asked this question on the AOL fanboard, and my response was immediate: "Can't pick one." Just can't do it. It'd be easier if you asked me what my, like, favorite eighty episodes are, and even then I'd be leaving out some real gems.

But you know what: that's just cowardice on my part. Sometimes you've got to make some tough choices... sometimes a man needs to take a stand. So I sat down and watched the whole series again, trying to figure out my favorite episode. It was -- you guessed it -- really, really fun. (This time, through, the character I enjoyed the most was Lily. Go figure.)

So without further ado, Diary, my favorite episode: the ninth episode in Season Two, 31st episode overall...

...you guessed it. "Slap Bet", a.k.a. "Robin Sparkles."

I know, I know, not the most creative choice. What can I say? It just holds up. The slap bet stuff is fantastic, and really important for the whole series, needless to say. Some really classic Barneyisms here. And I'll be damned if "Let's Go To The Mall" isn't catchy as hell! The ep's just great, winning, hilarious fun all the way through. Quintessential "HIMYM."

Feels good to get that settled. I'm off to re-watch the first two seasons of "Big Bang Theory"... people tell me I need to give it another chance.