The Best TV Shows On Paramount+ | Screen Rant
CBS All Access has undergone a metamorphosis into the new streaming service Paramount Plus, and here's the best TV shows available on it right now. To say that there's currently a lot of competition for the consumer's streaming dollar would be a vast understatement. Where once the triumvirate of Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu once clearly dominated the landscape, the last several years have seen a boom of studio-backed services arise, which has sadly had the side effect of it being almost impossible for the average person to afford access to all of their favorites.
This race, kicked into high gear by Disney Plus, then furthered by HBO Max and Peacock, is only continuing to pick up speed. On March 4, 2021, the 2014-launched CBS All Access got a makeover, becoming Paramount Plus. This change is a result of the massive media merger involving CBS and Paramount parent company Viacom in 2019, the same year Disney bought FOX and reacquired characters like the X-Men and Fantastic Four for Marvel Studios.
In addition to legendary movie maker Paramount itself and the CBS TV network and studio, Viacom also owns big cable hitters like Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and MTV. The library of TV shows available on Paramount Plus is starting out pretty impressive, and Viacom promises it will only get bigger going forward. Here's the most binge-worthy shows currently available to stream.
While Dave Chappelle had already earned acclaim for his stand-up work, it wasn't until Chappelle's Show launched on Comedy Central that he truly became a comedy icon. Sketches featuring Chappelle as a black white supremacist, the absurd concept of a racial draft, and of course Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories, took the world by storm, making Chappelle's Show a massive hit. Chappelle famously walked away from the show at its height, but its existing two seasons are still one of the best TV shows on Paramount Plus.
When it comes to space-set sci-fi properties, there are two clear names that rise above the rest: Star Wars and Star Trek. While Paramount Plus doesn't quite play host to every entry into the latter franchise, it does feature enough content to keep any Trekkie happy. CBS All Access originals Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Picard are front and center, along with the original Star Trek series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star: Trek Enterprise, and a few of the movies too.
The Jordan Peele-hosted and produced revamp of The Twilight Zone made for CBS All Access has also made the journey over to Paramount Plus, and despite its recent cancellation, its two seasons are worth checking out. Those not interested though can always feel free to watch classics from all five seasons of the original Rod Serling-hosted Twilight Zone from the 1960s instead. Hopefully the underrated 1980s revival is also added eventually.
Unquestionably one of the weirdest TV shows of all time, the David Lynch and Mark Frost-created Twin Peaks is also one of the best TV shows on Paramount Plus. What starts as FBI agent Dale Cooper's quest to uncover the truth about the murder of Laura Palmer evolves into a journey of supernatural discovery. The titular town holds many secrets, and many dangers. Also, the owls aren't what they seem. It's worth noting though that only the original Twin Peaks series is on Paramount Plus, not the 2017 Showtime revival.
Key & Peele, co-created and co-starring Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, was in a sense the sort of unofficial successor to Chappelle's Show. While Key and Peele's style of humor is certainly different then that provided by Chappelle, it was able to carry the torch of breakout Comedy Central sketch show in the decade following Chappelle's departure. Key & Peele also rocketed its stars to A-list comedy fame, although not quite to the level of Chappelle. The entire hilarious series is on Paramount Plus, and very much worth watching.
Those who've never watched SpongeBob SquarePants may scoff at its placement on a list of the best TV shows on Paramount Plus, but doubters should give it a shot before deciding. SpongeBob and friends have been on the air for a astonishing 22 years, and there's a reason for that: at its best, it's a very funny show. It's current episodes aren't as unique or often subversive as the early years, but SpongeBob is by no means a show only kids will enjoy watching. Seasons 1-11 are available to stream.
Those following along with the development of Paramount Plus' slate of upcoming originals will be aware that Kelsey Grammer's legendary character Dr. Frasier Crane is set to return in 2022 for a revival of his titular show. Before then though, Paramount Plus offers the entire 11-season, 264-episode run of the classic Frasier series. For those who want even more Frasier, Cheers' entire 11-season 275-episode run is also available to stream. That's a lot of laughs.
CBS has a reputation for producing popular police procedurals, and one of the best is Criminal Minds. Sporting a case of the week format for most episodes, Criminal Minds focuses on the work of the FBI's behavior analysis unit, mostly their hunts for serial killers and other violent psychopaths. Criminal Minds ended after 15 seasons in 2020, but is also set to receive a revival on Paramount Plus. The whole run is available to stream.
One of the cultiest cult shows in recent memory, Jericho tells the tale of how a small Kansas town reacts to and tries to survive after a major nuclear attack devastates the U.S. Jericho was initially canceled after one season of 22 episodes, but fan demand proved so high that a short second season was ordered to try and better wrap things up. To this day, some fans still hope for a more conclusive revival. All episodes are on Paramount Plus.
One of the most buzz-worthy dramas to emerge from CBS in the last few years is Evil, which centers on a skeptical psychologist (Katja Herbers), a priest in training (Luke Cage's Mike Colter), and a tech expert (Daily Show vet Aasif Mandvi), as they investigate purportedly supernatural cases. While on the surface it seems like a horror variant on the usual CBS procedural formula, one reason Evil works is that it likes to subvert those expectations, including genuinely scary and creepy content, lots of blood and violence, and a surprising amount of dark humor. Season 2 is in the works, and those episodes will likely appear on Paramount Plus the same day they air on TV.