From some of the earliest family sitcoms to procedurals about characters solving cases each week, along with an influential thriller about a stand-out detective, these CBS shows can still be considered excellent. When we reflect on the network’s amazing history, these shows definitely stand out.
Good Times (1974-1979)
The Maude spinoff Good Times was an early comedy focusing on Black characters, and it features heartfelt and serious storylines about James (John Amos) and Florida Evans (Esther Rolle), along with their kids.
Everything from financial anxieties and hopes for new jobs to school troubles is explored, and while the subject matter can be sad and tough to watch, it’s heartwarming to see how much the family loves each other. Unfortunately, despite Good Times‘s high quality, the sitcom isn’t mentioned all that often these days.
All In The Family (1971-1979)
Sally Struthers starred on the series in one of her earliest roles as the daughter of Archie and Edith (Jean Stapleton), who’s much nicer than he is. Archie’s off-putting personality makes this a rough rewatch, but we can’t forget its influence on CBS and TV in general.
The Bob Newhart Show (1972-1978)
One of the many CBS sitcoms named after its main actor, The Bob Newhart Show is a memorable look at therapist Bob Hartley, with episodes focusing on the people he helps and also his family.
It remains a significant part of CBS comedy history, but some storylines, like Bob dieting and calling himself fat, don’t land as well today. The show’s depiction of mental health struggles also leaves something to be desired.
Matlock (1986-1995)
Andy Griffith’s iconic performance as Ben Matlock, a unique lawyer, has gone down as one of the best in TV history, and he’s so much fun to watch because he has such a passionate approach to the law. He’s also full of quirks, such as his love of hot dogs.
Designing Women (1986-1993)
The popular sitcom has an incredible cast, including Annie Potts, Jean Smart, and Delta Burke, and it treats its smart and ambitious characters with respect.
It’s fun watching the highs and lows of working at Sugarbaker & Associates, an interior design company, which is where the memorable title Designing Women comes from. Other, more recent shows have explored work and personal problems, but Designing Women was one of the earliest ones to do so.
Magnum PI (1980-1988)
The star vehicle for Tom Selleck is a fantastic crime drama, and one of the earliest shows to explore this popular genre. Since the main character, Thomas Magnum, lives in Hawaii, that warm weather setting sets it apart from more recent series that are set in big cities.
Criminal Minds (2005-2020, 2022-Present)
Although its disturbing premise doesn’t work for every viewer, Criminal Minds is one of the most beloved CBS shows, and many have been entertained by its smart characters and scary cases for several decades. The series is still going strong, with the reboot Criminal Minds: Evolution focusing on serial killer Elias Voit (Zach Gilford).
CSI (2000-2015)
CSI is a great example of how a series can perfect the case-of-the-week format. Many find comfort in tuning into a procedural every week where the same ambitious characters solve crimes, and we could rely on CSI to always deliver shocking storylines.
It’s not the most popular CBS procedural, and like Criminal Minds, its dark subject matter might not appeal to everyone. But its 15-year run and amazing ratings can’t be forgotten about.
The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966)
Although Moore played a wife and mother instead of the strong career woman she would become famous for, she stood out, and it’s no wonder she got her own show a few years later. The Dick Van Dyke Show is still referenced often, and it’s one of creator Carl Reiner’s best projects. Reiner also played the beloved and hilarious Alan Brady.
The Good Wife (2009-2016)
CBS proved it was a worthy place to find an excellent legal drama when The Good Wife premiered. The series has all-star talent like Julianna Margulies, Christine Baranski, and Alan Cumming, and is a moving story about Alicia Florrick going back to the law after leaving her career to raise her children.
Although other CBS shows are talked about more often, The Good Wife‘s success is still impressive, and it aired for seven great seasons. The main strike against it is its flawed series finale, which many saw as a disappointment. The rest of the show is a smart and wild ride, though.
Murphy Brown (1988-1998)
The 10-season sitcom follows the intelligent main character played by Candice Bergen, and its storylines focus on her single status, decision to have a baby by herself, and her struggles with alcohol. Some of its cultural impact has faded with time, which is a shame because Murphy Brown is still fun to watch for the first time or to revisit.
Gilligan’s Island (1964-1967)
Even if you’ve never seen an episode, you’ve heard pop culture references to Gilligan’s Island when characters get stuck on an island. All three seasons of Gilligan’s Island follow a group who try to survive in this new place. Since the show is fairly dated now, it’s not that much fun to rewatch, but its popularity can’t be ignored.
Viewers were also treated to three movies that aired after the series finale, and each film was a fun chance to see the iconic island again.
The Tom And Jerry Comedy Show (1980-1982)
NCIS (2003-Present)
The CBS series NCIS is still on the air, proving it’s arguably the most influential procedural on the network. Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) may be gone, but his team of brilliant characters is still charming and fun to watch.
The success of a few spinoffs, like NCIS: Origins, shows that this franchise could continue for many years in the future and still be fascinating.
Family Matters (1989-1997)
From beloved character Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) to episodes about dating, school, and family conflict, Family Matters
remains an important ’90s sitcom.
However, besides the beautiful “The Quilt,” it doesn’t have as many stand-out episodes as other family-focused comedies, which makes it a bit less impactful than some others from the CBS comedy lineup.
The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019)
The show is still meaningful thanks to its contrasting main characters. While Penny is cheerful and a little ditzy at times, and Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) is more rigid and serious, it’s sweet watching their close friendship form.
How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
NBC had Friends and CBS had How I Met Your Mother, which explores similar friendship and love plotlines. It’s not perfect, and sexist Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) is difficult to rewatch, but the storytelling format of Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) sharing how he met his wife is still interesting.
Thanks to the How I Met Your Mother series finale, which many still take issue with, this sitcom is still talked about, despite over a decade passing since it aired. That makes it more memorable than other CBS sitcoms.
Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005)
Whether it’s the talented comedic cast like co-creator Ray Romano and Brad Garrett or unforgettable episodes like “She’s the One” about a woman who eats a fly, the show is still solid.
Dallas (1978-1991)
Dallas had a big influence on TV dramas, bringing melodramatic storylines into primetime and proving that these types of plotlines didn’t only need to exist in the daytime soap opera genre. It entertained viewers for 14 seasons, and a few years later, Dynasty premiered on ABC with a similar premise of a wealthy family and their schemes, highs, and lows.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977)
Before The Mary Tyler Moore Show, viewers hadn’t seen a single woman on TV who was determined to make it in her career. If she found love along the way, that was fine, but it wasn’t her main goal.
Murder, She Wrote (1984-1996)
Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) is such an iconic TV thriller character that Murder, She Wrote will always be one of the greatest shows in the genre. She had a big influence on professional detectives and smart characters who, like her, enjoy investigating crimes in their spare time.
Like many of the most memorable CBS series, Murder, She Wrote had a lengthy run of 12 seasons. The formulaic storytelling of a new case each episode and the small-town settings would also become staples of the thriller genre.
M*A*S*H (1972-1983)
I Love Lucy (1951-1957)
Co-created by real-life married couple Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the groundbreaking sitcom follows the hilarious adventures of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. Although some storylines feel dated now, like the excitement of purchasing a TV, it’s still a sweet look at marriage, and Ball’s comedic timing is unmatched.
Gunsmoke (1955-1975)
Gunsmoke is always the right answer when asking what the greatest Western series is, and that’s an amazing feat, considering it’s been decades since its series finale aired. Every episode has emotion and action and centers around Matt Dillon (James Arness), a U.S. Marshal in Dodge City, Kansas.
While of course not everyone loves the Western genre, the fact that Gunsmoke aired for 20 seasons is incredible, and that makes this one of the most important CBS shows. It set the tone for several other Westerns, but also proved that viewers would stick around for a long time if the show was high-quality enough.
The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
The greatest CBS series has to be The Twilight Zone, thanks to its huge influence on the horror and sci-fi genres, along with anthology series. The show still has some of the most exciting twists, and “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” remains a terrifying classic about William Shatner’s character, who notices a gremlin hanging on the plane wing.
