The Brilliant Anomaly: Why Elsbeth Is the Smartest and Most Underrated Show on CBS Right Now
CBS, the “Eye Network,” is often synonymous with reliable, broad-appeal programming: sprawling crime franchises, beloved sitcoms, and long-running procedurals that offer comfort in their familiar structures. Against this backdrop, a show like Elsbeth doesn’t just stand out; it positively gleams, a vibrant, intelligent anomaly that, like its titular character, defies expectations at every turn. It is, without hyperbole, the smartest and most criminally underrated show currently gracing the network’s airwaves.
At the heart of Elsbeth‘s brilliance is its eponymous protagonist, Elsbeth Tascioni, portrayed with incandescent charm and depth by the incomparable Carrie Preston. Introduced to audiences through The Good Wife and The Good Fight, Elsbeth is a character seemingly crafted from a delightful blend of quirks and unparalleled observational genius. She’s a lawyer-turned-investigator whose fashion sense is a kaleidoscope of mismatched patterns, whose social graces are hilariously off-kilter, and whose train of thought seems to wander through charming, irrelevant detours. Yet, beneath this seemingly ditzy exterior lies a mind like a steel trap, meticulously piecing together anomalies others overlook, her “scattered” observations coalescing into irrefutable insights. She disarms suspects not with intimidation, but with genuine, if sometimes bewildering, curiosity, allowing them to reveal their tells while they underestimate her at their peril. This unique approach to crime-solving – one built on perception and psychology rather than brute force or tired clichés – elevates Elsbeth far beyond the typical “whodunit,” making it a masterclass in character-driven deduction.
What truly solidifies Elsbeth‘s claim to “smartest show” status is its embrace of the “howcatchem” format, a stylistic choice popularized by the legendary Columbo. Unlike most procedurals where the identity of the culprit is a tightly guarded secret, Elsbeth reveals the murderer and their motive within the first ten minutes of each episode. The genius then lies not in solving “who,” but in “how” Elsbeth will unravel their meticulously planned crime and expose their guilt. This narrative choice shifts the dramatic tension from mere mystery to a fascinating intellectual chess match. Viewers become privy to the killer’s machinations, watching with a delicious sense of dramatic irony as Elsbeth, often dismissed as a harmless eccentric, slowly but surely closes in. This allows for intricate plotting, clever red herrings, and a focus on the subtle psychological warfare between investigator and culprit. The dialogue is sharper, the clues more nuanced, and the satisfaction of watching Elsbeth’s seemingly random questions culminate in a devastating logical trap is immensely rewarding, proving that intelligence in storytelling doesn’t always need to be grim or gritty.
Moreover, Elsbeth earns its “underrated” label precisely because it’s on CBS. There’s a prevailing, if unfair, assumption that network television, particularly procedurals, can’t achieve the same level of sophisticated writing, visual flair, or thematic depth as their streaming or cable counterparts. Elsbeth shatters this misconception. Its visual style is vibrant and colorful, a stark contrast to the often desaturated palettes of other crime dramas. Its tone is refreshingly lighthearted and optimistic, even when dealing with serious crimes, offering genuine joy and escapism without sacrificing cleverness. It doesn’t rely on shock value or gratuitous violence; its brilliance comes from its wit, its character development, and its intricate puzzles. Many viewers, perhaps overlooking it as “just another CBS show,” are missing out on a truly unique and intelligently crafted piece of television that celebrates the power of observation and the delightful quirks of human nature.
In a television landscape often saturated with dark, brooding anti-heroes and labyrinthine, serialized narratives, Elsbeth stands as a beacon of refreshing originality. It’s a show that trusts its audience to appreciate subtle wit, unconventional brilliance, and the sheer joy of watching a truly unique character navigate a world of crime with a twinkle in her eye and a brain ticking at warp speed. It’s not just a good show; it’s a remarkably smart, consistently entertaining, and tragically overlooked gem that deserves every ounce of recognition for being the most distinctive and delightful offering CBS has right now. Tune in, and let Elsbeth Tascioni surprise you. She certainly will.
