CREDIT (Clockwise from Top Left): FX/Screenshot; FOX/Screenshot; HBO/Screenshot; CBS/Screenshot

Television offers both the thrill of the new and the comfort of the familiar. So with that in mind, I’ve decided to split my Best TV of 2024 roundup into two lists: one for the Debutantes, and another for the Returning Champions.

Best New Shows

A wonderfully original game show, a couple of colorful and quirky procedurals, and a lovingly deranged talk show experiment lead off the top newbies. Moving down the rest of the list reveals a well-represented range of genres.
1. The Floor
2. Elsbeth
3. John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in LA
4. High Potential
5. Pop Culture Jeopardy!
6. @fter midnight
7. Conan O’Brien Must Go
8. X-Men ’97
9. St. Denis Medical
10. Mr. Bates vs. the Post Office

Best Returning Shows

Half of the entrants on this list won’t be eligible next year, or likely ever again, which is a roundabout way of saying that they aired their series finales in 2024. They all went out wonderfully on their own terms with dignity (or a dignified lack of dignity). The other half are shows that could very well last forever.
1. What We Do in the Shadows
2. Bob’s Burgers
3. Young Sheldon
4. Curb Your Enthusiasm
5. Solar Opposites
6. Superman & Lois
7. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
8. Whose Line Is It Anyway?
9. American Dad!
10. Evil

To-Watch List

There were a few shows whose 2024 outputs I’ve been enjoying, but I haven’t quite watched enough episodes to fairly consider them for the Best Of lists. So here’s a reminder to myself of some programs I’m hoping to finish soon.
–Chad: I started watching the long-delayed second season of Nasim Pedrad’s go-for-broke sitcom when it arrived in January, but it was completely removed from Roku before I could finish it.
–girls5eva: I’ve got half of Season 3 left to go.
–Gremlins: Season 1 was cute; I wish Season 2 hadn’t arrived all at once. At least it’s not too long.
–Matlock: I would’ve watched this right away if I knew Jennie Snyder Urman was involved; I’m catching up on Paramount+ and hope to be current soon enough.