9 Best CBS Shows of 2024, Ranked

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Tracker-Season-2---Under-the-Stars-Event-at-the-Joshua-Tree Custom image by Nimesh Niyomal Perera

While many people think of CBS as daytime cable television, the network is so much more. It has a vast catalog of not only family-friendly sitcoms but also hardcore and intense dramas revolving around inmates, survivalist lone-wolfs, and police procedurals that bring viewers into what it means to be a member of a S.W.A.T. team. There is a little something for everyone and the 2024 season brought a lot of new shows to the mix.

From Justin Hartley playing the skilled survivalist Colter Shaw in the action drama Tracker to the new reality game show testing peoples’ prowess and fears in The Summit, there was a lot to be excited about going into CBS’ 2024 release year. And it was one network that shouldn't be overlooked, with fast-paced, entertaining shows and feel-good stories the network is known for. So, take a look because these are some of the best shows on CBS this year.

9 ‘The Real CSI: Miami’

Created By Anthony E. Zuiker and Jerry Bruckheimer

Based on the drama series CSI: Miami, the true crime drama docuseries The Real CSI: Miami dives into the world of crime, victims, and the people who search for and bring perpetrators to justice. The series looks into real cases and, like the fictional drama, showcases the science that is used to solve each crime. With reenactments, real photos and video documentation, and deep expository explanations of the crimes and how they are solved, this is a great true crime docuseries, one that true-crime enthusiasts will think is captivating, educational, and also entertaining.

It is definitely one of those series that people need to research a bit before jumping into. There are tough topics that are dealt with throughout each episode, including trafficking and illegal substances that cause people to commit crimes, to name a few. Based in the city of Miami, Florida, experts are brought i to discuss the cases and how law enforcement and scientists work together in order to bring people to justice and give closure to families.

Watch Now On Paramount+

8 ‘The Summit’

Presented By Manu Bennett

CBS is no stranger to amazing game shows, especially when it comes to the contestants having to survive. It is the network that introduced the world to The Amazing Race and Survivor after all. But 2024 brought a new reality game to the network in the form of The Summit. In the show, 16 strangers must work together to traverse the treacherous New Zealand Alps and reach the peak of a mountain. While this could be done in a suitable amount of time, these strangers only have 14 days to complete their mission. Of course, it is a game show, so each of these people wears a backpack containing a whopping one million dollars, a sum they win if they make it to the summit in the allotted amount of time.

This journey isn’t easy, though, and not all the contestants make it to the finish. These people have to make their way through insane terrain, freezing Antarctic winds, and, of course, ridiculous challenges that will push their limits and heart-stopping elimination rounds that have people losing out on the grand prize. Host Manu Bennett takes viewers on an incredible journey as they watch to see who has the mental and physical abilities to make it to the summit.

Watch Now On Paramount+

7 ‘Poppa's House’ (2024)

Created By Damon Wayans and Kevin Hench

Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. stand together in the living room in Poppa's House. Image via CBS

Starring the father-son duo of Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr., Poppa’s House debuted on CBS in October 2024. The sitcom follows Wayans' character, Poppa, a talk show host at one of New York’s beloved R/B radio stations who have to deal with a change in his workplace in the form of a new female co-host, Dr. Ivy Reed (Essence Atkins). Between work and his home life, which consists of his son and neighbor, Junior, trying to juggle being a father and husband while pursuing his dream of producing documentaries, his daughter-in-law, Nina (Tetona Jackson), and their children, Poppa’s House is a new and fantastic family sitcom comedy fans are not going to want to miss.

The show is kind of on the nose with present-day society, with Poppa attempting to find peace in his work, something he’s been doing for ages, while also dealing with his son and Nina’s new way of parenting. It is a show a lot of people can resonate with, as it showcases a family dynamic that is all too familiar. With a solid cast, incredible chemistry, and a fun and easy story, Poppa’s House is a family sitcom people are going to want to tune into.

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Release Date October 21, 2024

Cast Damon Wayans , Damon Wayans Jr. , Essence Atkins , Tetona Jackson , Bryan Safi

Seasons 1

Network CBS

6 ‘After Midnight’ (2024)

Developed By Jack Martin and Eric Pierce

Taylor Tomlinson stands and smiles as the host of After Midnight. Image via CBS Studios

Hosted by Taylor Tomlinson, After Midnight is a late-night comedy panel game show that brings in panels of famous guest stars from around the entertainment industry to discuss one of the hottest topics around: the stupid stuff that somehow went viral on the internet. It is a game show where anything can happen, and no two episodes are alike, thanks to the comedic genius of Tomlinson, who is leading the charge as host.

It is an odd show, though, as the points are kind of made up by the host and contestants at random, and they make fun of things floating around the internet. In any case, it is a late-night show, so it is bound to make viewers laugh and keep them engaged for its house-long run. With comedians, musicians, and actors, curse words fly, and questionable statements are made in good fun as the panelists try their best to win After Midnight.

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Release Date January 16, 2024

Cast Taylor Tomlinson , Whitney Cummings , Aparna Nancherla , Kurt Braunohler , Paul F. Tompkins , Carl Tart , Sophie Buddle , Max Greenfield , Robby Hoffman , James Davis , Chad Daniels , Kelsey Cook , Milana Vayntrub , Atsuko Okatsuka , Josh Johnson , Doug Benson , Guy Branum , Lisa Gilroy , Natasha Leggero , Moshe Kasher , Jon Daly , Marcella Arguello , Jerry O'Connell , Arden Myrin , Mary Lynn Rajskub

Watch on Paramount+

5 ‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’ (2024)

Created By Chuck Lorre, Steven Molaro, and Steve Holland

Georgie and Mandy sitting on the couch looking annoyed in Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage. Image via CBS

Set in Texas back in 1994, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage is pretty much what the title sounds like. It is a sitcom revolving around the marriage and young parents Georgie (Montana Jordan) and Mandy (Emily Osment). Viewers watch as the two juggle being parents while also traversing the hecticness and challenges that come with adulthood. The show just aired in 2024, so there is a lot of speculation surrounding the title, including when the two main characters are going to divorce since it is their “first marriage.”

Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage is the third series in The Big Bang Theory franchise and is a direct sequel and spin-off to Young Sheldon, another popular series on CBS. Taking a multi-camera approach in front of a live studio audience, the show is able to do what The Big Bang Theory excelled at, mixing comedy and drama to create something wildly entertaining and fun to watch. Focusing on the McAllister family instead of the Coopers, fans of the franchise will wholly enjoy this new addition.

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Release Date October 17, 2024

Cast Montana Jordan , Emily Osment , Will Sasso , Rachel Bay Jones , Dougie Baldwin , Jessie Prez , Zoe Perry , Annie Potts

Main Genre Comedy

Seasons 1

4 ‘Elsbeth’ (2024)

Created By Robert King and Michelle King

Carrie Preston in the Christmas episode of Elsbeth. Image via CBS

Starring Carrie Preston as the title character, Elsbeth Tascioni, Elsbeth follows the story of an unconventional attorney as she moves from her successful career in Chicago to help the NYPD. The thing is, she isn’t just there to help the New York police department put criminals behind bars. The United States Department of Justice sends her to investigate Captain C.W. Wagner (Wendell Pierce), who some believe is involved in some sort of corruption.

The series is actually a spin-off from the popular political drama The Good Wife, utilizing the character of Elsbeth in her own police procedural. This show, unlike its predecessor, has comedic elements that definitely set it apart. Even so, it still uses a typical detective TV show format, letting the viewers in on who committed the crime, why, and how they went about doing it before they are caught and brought to justice. It is a great addition to the CBS lineup, and people should think about watching it.

Elsbeth 2024 TV Series Poster

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Elsbeth

Release Date February 29, 2024

Main Genre Crime

Seasons 1

3 ‘Matlock’ (2024)

Developed By Jennie Snyder Urman

Kathy Bates as Matty in 'Matlock'. Image via CBS

Drawing from the original Matlock series with Andy Griffith, the 2024 show of the same name does something a little different with a gender-flipped lead character in Kathy Bates and a different premise. The show revolves around the life of Madeline Kingston, a retired lawyer who made a lot of money during her prime. She gets back into the game, though, when her daughter dies due to an opioid epidemic. So, she puts her pantsuit back on and takes up the alias Matty Matlock, a play on her name and the character from the original series, something that aired in the universe of the show. Back in the world of lawyers, Matty uses her intellect to try and find evidence she believes the firm has been hiding in relation to her daughter’s case.

Honestly, with Bates leading the way, what could go wrong with the reboot of Matlock? It didn’t take the original show's plot, making it its own and unique to the times. The character of Matty is intriguing and intense, wanting nothing more than justice for her daughter. It is a crime and legal drama that people are not going to want to miss. It also holds a perfect rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

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Matlock

Release Date September 22, 2024

Cast Kathy Bates , Jason Ritter , Skye P. Marshall , David Del Rio , Leah Lewis , Aaron Harris , Eme Ikwuakor , Beau Bridges , Sam Anderson , Jordyn Weitz , Henry Allen , Colleen Camp

Main Genre Drama

Seasons 1

Network CBS

2 ‘NCIS: Origins’

Created By Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North

 Origins. Image via CBS

Starting off in 1991, NCIS: Origins is just what fans of the original series were waiting for. A prequel to the popular NCIS series and the sixth in the franchise, Origins focuses on the beginning of Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ (Austin Stowell) career as a Probationary Naval Investigative Service Agent in the Camp Pendleton office. The prequel series explores Gibbs’ early days as an investigator as well as looks into the trauma he faces as the murders of his wife and daughter still haunt him. There, he joins a ragtag team of agents led by the legendary NCIS agent Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid).

The series dives into the backstory of one of the most popular franchises on CBS, combing through Gibbs’ tale to help fans better understand him when he becomes the NCIS Supervisory Special Agent and Special Agent in Charge. It has a compelling narrative and fantastic character development that has viewers engrossed in the story. It not only brings long-time NCIS fans into a new story but also captivates new viewers into becoming fans of the beloved franchise. It is one of the best prequel series on the air and one viewers are not going to want to miss.

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Release Date October 14, 2024

Cast Mark Harmon , Austin Stowell , Robert Taylor , Patrick Fischler , Kyle Schmid , Diany Rodriguez , Tyla Abercrumbie , Mariel Molino

Main Genre Crime

Seasons 1

1 ‘Tracker’ (2024)

Created By Ben H. Winters

Colter Shaw looking face to face with a German Shepherd-type dog in Tracker. Image via CBS

Based on the 2019 Jeffrey Deaver novel The Never Game, the CBS series Tracker is an action-packed drama people don’t want to miss. It follows the story of Colter Shaw, a lone wolf and skilled survivalist who does more than just live outside of normal society. He helps both law enforcement and private citizens in exchange for reward money. In 2024, viewers not only got the premiere season of Tracker but also got to dive right back into the action with a second season.

While the series definitely uses the typical formula for a crime drama with a man taking on the world with the help of a few people, it doesn’t detract from the fact that it is a highly entertaining show. In fact, Tracker became the most-watched entertainment series on television for the 2023-2024 season, according to the Los Angeles Times. The news source says that it is one of those series that, while fast and action-packed, gives viewers a solid conclusion at the end of each episode.

Tracker 2024 TV Series Poster

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Tracker

Release Date February 11, 2024

Cast Justin Hartley , Abby McEnany , Eric Graise , Fiona Rene , Robin Weigert , Wendy Crewson , Sofia Pernas , Jensen Ackles , Lee Tergesen , Prestyn Bates , Matthew Nelson-Mahood , Alison Araya , Link Baker , Mattia Castrillo , Paniz Zade , Ashley Roxburgh , Jeremy Jones , Aggie Bell , Oscar Chark , Dalias Blake , Colm Hill , Nicole Anthony , Sean Owen Roberts , Garfield Wilson , Zia Newton , Arianna McGregor

Main Genre Drama

Seasons 2

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