Nothing suits me like the 100th episode of 'How I Met Your Mother'

You know I tend to pick on the shows I deeply care about. So admittedly I've been a little hard on "How I Met Your Mother" this season. But that's because I know how good the show can be.

I'm so happy to tell you that the 100th episode (Monday at 8 p.m. on CBS) is really good. It's funny. It's poignant. And there's a musical number! As is befitting a 100th episode, there are great guest stars -- Rachel Bilson as Ted's newest love interest, Tim Gunn as himself and Stacy Keibler as McLaren's new bartender - and we get a little closer to finding out how Ted met the mother of his children. I won't say much more but I thought the reveal was satisfying while still leaving the viewers wanting more.

But the best part is Barney's musical number "Nothing Suits Me Like a Suit." We all know Neil Patrick Harris can sing and dance and it is great fun to see Barney singing the virtues of his suits on the streets of New York.

I'm just so proud of the show for making it to 100 episodes. I remember when I was begging people to watch the show. I'm so glad CBS stuck by the show. (Are you listening ABC, you should try that sometime).

After you watch tonight's episode of "How I Met Your Mother" let me know what you think.

Ask TV Gal

Hey Amy! I started a save Better Off Ted site a bit ago, but then I found a site created by another guy and since then, we have joined forces. The site has boomed in the few days since it's creation. I was hoping, since you love the show as much as I do, that you might mention the site in your next column? The address is savebetteroffted.com. Thanks so much! Frank

Frank, I'm all about doing anything I can to support "Better Off Ted." So everyone check out www.savebetteroffted.com. The site is promoting moving the show to Wednesday nights, which you know I think is a fabulous idea.

I was just wondering if you know when "My Boys" is coming back to TV? I really like that show! Cat

I checked with my friends at TBS and they said the show will be back sometime this summer. So we have to wait a little while but we will see P.J. and her bevy of boys again.

Highlights of the Week Ahead

All times listed are Eastern Standard Time for January 11-17

Danica McKellar, Winner Cooper on "The Wonder Years," guest stars on "The Big Bang Theory" (Monday, CBS, 8:30 p.m.) as the object of Raj's affection.

"House" (Monday, FOX, 8 p.m.) kicks off the New Year with guest stars Ethan Embry and Nick Chunlund. Embry plays a drug dealer who needs the team's help. Following "House," FOX airs a previously unaired first season episode of "Fringe" Monday at 9 p.m.

"Castle" is back with new episodes Monday night at 10 p.m on ABC. Alyssa Milano guest stars as Castle's ex-girlfriend who happens to be at the center of a case.

As I was writing today's column, I got the breaking news that this will be Simon Cowell's last season on "American Idol." To me the show isn't "American Idol" without him and since he's the judge that has cried "I'm leaving American Idol" for the past several seasons, I really didn't think he was going anywhere. "American Idol" will already be very different this season without Paula. I don't see it surviving without Paula and Simon. "American Idol" kicks off its ninth season this Tuesday at 8 p.m. on FOX. This tends to be my least favorite part of the series - I don't like watching disillusioned contestants who are convinced they are talented make fools of themselves. I tend to tune in once they get to Hollywood. Remember new judge Ellen DeGeneres won't show up until they get to Hollywood - up until then there are a slew of guest judges starting with Victoria Beckham Tuesday night in Boston. I'm rooting for Boston to produce a couple of viable contestants. The auditions move to Atlanta Wednesday night at 8 p.m. and if you missed Sunday night's episode of "The Simpsons," FOX repeats it Wednesday at 9:30 p.m.

After being unceremoniously canceled by NBC (booo! Hisss!), "Southland" joins TNT Tuesday at 10 p.m. First up, the network will air the original pilot of the series without any commercial interruptions. That means you get an additional six minutes that were filmed but have never aired. After TNT airs the seven episodes of the first season, the six second season episodes (which were filmed for NBC but never aired) will begin on March 2. Although I'm sworn to secrecy about the second season premiere, I can tell you that I've seen it and it's fantastic. If you didn't watch "Southland" last spring on NBC, I definitely think you should check out the show and if you did watch the first season, I say watch the episodes again. The more support the show gets, the more likely TNT is to pick up more episodes and put the show back into production.

Honestly I had to watch the scene where Phil is doubled over in pain in his bedroom on last week's "Modern Family" three times because I was laughing so much the first two times that I kept missing lines. This show gets better and better. This week (Wednesday, ABC, 10 p.m.) Chazz Palminteri guest stars as a friend of Jay's

"Leverage" returns with six new episodes Wednesday at 10 p.m. on TNT. Jeri Ryan returns as grifter Tara who is temporarily taking over for Sophie (remember actress Gina Bellman is on maternity leave). As you know, I'm a fan of "Leverage" because I find the show so much fun. Who doesn't love a good caper? And the one this Wednesday is a lot of fun.

Amy Poehler's husband, Will Arnett, guest stars on "Parks & Recreation" this week (Thursday, NBC, 8:30 p.m.). He'll play Leslie's blind date, a date that doesn't go so well. James Franco plays himself this week on "30 Rock" (Thursday, NBC, 9:30 p.m.).

Honestly, maybe they should just combine the shows ("Private Anatomy?" "Grey's Practice?") because it is time for yet another "Grey's Anatomy"/ "Private Practice" crossover. Mark asks Addison to come to Seattle Grace to perform a risky surgery on his pregnant daughter on "Grey's" (Thursday, ABC, 9 p.m.) and then Mark and his daughter follow Addison back to Oceanside Wellness on "Private Practice" (Thursday, ABC, 10 p.m.). I'm a little worried about all this Addison/Mark interaction. Are you?  I'm also very curious to see what happens to Dell now that he's lost his wife. Here's hoping they continue to give him a well-thought out and interesting story line.

"Project Runway" (Thursday, Lifetime, 10 p.m.) begins its seventh season where it belongs - in the Big Apple. That means will get more of Nina Garcia and Michael Kors which should lead to more consistent judging. You might remember that last season, Lifetime cut off the screener before the winner and the loser were revealed. Thankfully they didn't do that this time. So I can tell you after watching the complete season premiere, my biggest concern is that the first challenge isn't that exciting and with the exception of Anthony, none of the contestants really pop. There was one thing that did totally shock me. I mean I know I know nothing about fashion but I was still very surprised by one of the contestants who made it into the top three. I'll be so curious to hear what you think.

That's all for today. I'm back on Friday to talk about the four-hour season premiere of "24" (damnit sweetheart, listen to me, it's pretty good) and the new FOX series "Human Target." Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week or a topic for discussion? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com or follow me on Twitter. Have a

 great week. Talk to you on Monday.