And I don’t really watch much television. Certainly not primetime network TV.

But go two months without it and, at the same time, suffer through the supremely wretched offerings of “Star World” or the other overseas cable English-language networks … and you realize, “Hey, I miss ‘Big Bang Theory.’ ”

So, two nights ago, we got a broadband internet hookup at the new apartment … and it was “hello, ’30 Rock’ ” and “so long, ‘Painkiller Jane.’ ”

Our issue, the first two months we were here, was one of internet oomph. The local internet provider, the government-owned Etisalat, won’t sell broadband internet to people without residence visas, and for almost two months we didn’t have residence visas. And then when we did, we couldn’t see the point of getting a broadband hookup into a hotel room.

We did, however, manage to get online with a 3G modem that a co-worker lent to us, and it allowed us to use at least check e-mail and read newspapers. So we weren’t completely stuck in the 1980s. But we didn’t have the power to download something as hefty as a half-hour TV show.

Then Etisalat’s three-man crew came out to the li’l apartment on Thursday and, over the course of nearly three hours, installed a big ol’ box inside the apartment … and now we’re in business.

It isn’t a perfect situation. We still can’t see much of anything without dead time as the computer tries to catch up to the website … but eventually, yes, we do see what we hoped to see.

The first night? “Survivor Samoa.” I am a huge Survivor fan; I have seen all but a few episodes in the history of the franchise, and I made a point of not checking on what was going on. We left about three shows into the season, long enough for Leah to form a deep loathing for the supremely cynical little troll of a man, “Russell.” Whom, we see, is still on the show. At least, as of the Oct. 15 showing.

The second night? Three episodes of “Big Bang Theory.” Followed by two of “Two-and-a-Half Men.”

Tonight? I’m thinking more sitcoms.

We’re saving “30 Rock” for Christmas, almost. Like, it’s too good to burn up right away.

We probably will see every episodes of the shows mentioned above, eventually. As well as, probably “The Mentalist” and “Castle,” two of Leah’s favorites. And “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and maybe “Gary Unmarried.” Is “Rules of Engagement” on yet? If so, we will see that, too.

We go to these random sites, and see what they’ve got, and download it, and it isn’t perfect. But in exchange for stop-and-start playback, we do get all commercials pruned out by the guys in Japan, or wherever they are.

And, no, American TV isn’t very good. And it’s easy not to hold it in high regard.

Until you are overseas long enough to see what else is out there in English-language fare. Yes, such a big bunch of nothing that we didn’t even bother getting a local cable TV hookup.

Anyway, being able to watch “30 Rock” … is like an early Christmas present.