If, as they say, imitation is the sincerest form of television, “Mad Love” (7:30 p.m., CBS) is very sincere, indeed. Not content to follow “How I Met Your Mother” in the schedule, it borrows that series’ voiceover introduction technique as well. It also wades deep into “Sleepless in Seattle” and “An Affair to Remember” territory with a contrived meeting of its star-crossed leads on the top of an unnamed skyscraper. But just in case you worried that this was all too gushy, it does star Jason Biggs, best known for his work in the gross-out classic “American Pie,” and Sarah Chalke, star of “Roseanne” and “Scrubs,” two series not know for saccharine.

Not to give too much away here, but their characters, Ben and Kate, meet and feel instantly smitten. Several complications and wrinkles ensue, but they are as deeply thunderstruck as “Dharma & Greg.” This places a tremendous burden on their respective best friends Larry (Tyler Labine, “Reaper”) and Connie (Judy Greer, “Arrested Development”). They’ve got to come up with all of the witty patter and sexual tension. Too bad they’re such cardboard cutouts. He’s a lawyer who hates to read and has the interests and behavior of a 14-year-old boy. Make that a 14-year-old obsessed with cheeseburgers and porn.

There’s no indication he could have graduated high school, never mind college and law school. She’s a knowing, sophisticated and sporadically witty cynic stuck in a job better suited to a 14-year-old girl. It’s just dawned on her that some of her wrong choices may have led to the fact that she’s a baby-sitter to an idiot/beautiful airhead trophy wife.

Greer and Labine make the most of their considerable time on camera. Too bad they’re trapped in characters nobody cared enough to think about.

• The 2010 documentary “When Strangers Click: Five Stories from the Internet” (8 p.m., HBO2) explores the world of online dating. A decade or two back, the notion of computerized matchmaking was an exotic idea, if not material for comedy. I seem to remember Gomer Pyle filling out a computer dating form on an old “Andy Griffith Show.” Or was it Goober?

Today, more than 20 million people are using dating sites and an estimated one couple in five meeting online. As these five stories reveal, it’s a brave new world of romantic encounters.

Tonight’s other highlights

• A patient’s perfect memory can’t prevent a breakdown on “House” (7 p.m., Fox).

• Breeders battle for best-in-show status on the 135th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (7 p.m., USA, concludes Tuesday).

• Orwell may be in danger on “The Cape” (8 p.m., NBC).

• Teresa and Jarek take on a cop killer on “The Chicago Code” (8 p.m., Fox).

• Pirates put a damper on spring break on “Hawaii Five-O” (9 p.m., CBS).

• Castle and Beckett tangle over a murder case on “Castle” (9 p.m., ABC).

• ‘Kid’ Reid glances back on the pop culture of the 1990s on the weeklong round up “Way Black When” (9 p.m., TV One).