Year after year, we continually hear people bemoaning that such and such TV show is "the best show you're not watching," and we kind of just roll our eyes. There are so many television shows these days between broadcast, cable, and streaming. Surely, everyone has watched at least one of the "best shows on TV." Must we watch everything out of fear of missing the so-called best?
Well, no. Simply because it's impossible to watch every single show that's released. But there are definitely great shows that people aren't watching, whether it's lack of awareness or a side effect of there being too many shows to keep with. But there are also some shows that have fervent fanbases that still deserve to be watched by even more viewers. TL;DR — You're missing out!
If you're looking for a short list of broadcast shows to either catch up on if you strayed behind or because you haven't started yet, we're sharing just a small sample of the underrated shows from the past year that more people should be adding to their rotation. Whether you want to laugh, cry, or unravel a mystery, these are some great shows to binge-watch ASAP.
St. Denis Medical
The medical comedy series St. Denis Medical premiered in November 2024 on NBC and has so far managed to find a Superstore-sized hole on the network's schedule. From the former NBC staple's creator Justin Spitzer, St. Denis Medical aired the majority of its first season in 2025 and began its hilarious second season in the last two months of the year. It's obvious that it's one of the funniest comedies on broadcast television and should have a lot more love.
Much like the aforementioned Superstore, St. Denis Medical follows the usual beats of a workplace sitcom, though with mockumentary elements. The series also has shades of past (but soon returning) medical comedy favorite Scrubs as the doctors and nurses find themselves in tricky personal and professional situations. I'd like St. Denis to The Office with its outlandish plots and larger than life characters, all led by Wendi McLendon-Covey's wild leading performance. Catch up on Peacock!
DMV
If you're in the mood for even more laughs and love a workplace comedy, hop on over from the crazy antics at the St. Denis Medical Center and see the shenanigans going on at a Los Angeles DMV. Sure, watching a show about the least enticing place imaginable doesn't seem like something most people would want to do, but the CBS comedy series DMV was by far one of the funniest comedies of 2025 and hands-down one of the most underrated, too.
Like most workplace comedies, the joy of watching the show has less to do about the actual makeup of the show and more to do with the cast and characters. Thankfully, DMV has assembled an amazing ensemble with instant chemistry. Already we have will-they-or-won't-they romance, light rivalries, unexpected friendships, and everything you expect from workplace comedies. It's the perfect series to binge-watch, which you can do on Paramount+ before season 1 resumes in February.
Chicago Med
Look, I know that Chicago Med has been running on NBC for a decade and counting and that the One Chicago shows have a strong and mighty fandom. But do people outside of this fandom know how good the medical drama really is? You wouldn't think that a show in its 11th season could be underrated, but I personally don't think enough people are watching or talking about Chicago Med, especially after the two most previous seasons have been series-best.
As with all long-running shows, Chicago Med has had ups and downs, peaks and valleys. Cast members come and go, there's a changing of hands behind the scenes, storylines don't go as planned... These are all things that can impact quality. But season 10, which partly aired in 2025, was an incredible reset and season 11 has beautifully built upon that. Honestly, season 10's a great place to start if you're new here, and there's plenty of time to catch up with season 11!
Matlock
Last but certainly not least when it comes to underrated shows, broadcast television wouldn't be where it is right now without Matlock. Kathy Bates returns to the small screen in the legal dramedy, and what a return it's been! From award nominations to critical praise, Matlock has put a great spotlight on network TV. In that sense, call the show "underrated" seems gratuitous, but I would argue that even though it's a popular and well-loved show, it's not popular enough.
While inspired by the 1980s show of the same name, the new version folds in elements of modern television to meet current audiences where they are. And the most importantly element in play here is mystery. This isn't your run of the mill procedural courtroom drama. There are lies, deception, trickery, and treachery between the main characters at the law firm. Seriously, if this show were on Netflix, streaming audiences would eat it up. Get into Matlock on CBS and Paramount+!