How Well Do You Know Your Generic Network Dramas?

December 01, 2024

Who knows what this one is called, but it stars Alan Cumming!

A genius who’s bad at dealing with people pairs up with an unlikely ally. An expert in one field turns out to be an expert in another. Someone died, but by the end of the episode, we’ll know what really happened. If you watch enough network procedural dramas, every one of them boils down to the same basic plots, and in some cases, even the same basic premise. That’s why we love them! (Which is, in turn, why network TV keeps making them.) But in this case — and given the addition of new shows like Instinct and Deception — it’s worth wondering if the names aren’t just a little bit lazy. Half of these show titles are just generic nouns! The other half are common phrases that double as puns about the main character’s name! It’s like each one was chosen by someone writing the world’s least clever crossword. Anyway, can you guess all the generic show names from their log lines?

Guess the Network Drama!

A former CIA operative, who has since built a "normal" life as a gifted professor and writer, is pulled back into his old life when the NYPD needs his help to stop a serial killer.

Instinct

Insight

Superego

The Analyst

A drama inspired by the early career of Dr. Phil McGraw — yes, that Dr. Phil — who founded an incredibly prolific trial-consulting firm before he became a daytime TV star.

The Expert Witness

Bull

Doctor of Law

Benched

The adventures of young H.G. Wells and his time machine, as he pursues one of history's most well-known serial killers, Jack the Ripper.

Timeless

Time After Time

Time Warp

Time Out

Las Vegas magician Cameron Black becomes a “consulting illusionist” for the FBI after his career is ruined by scandal.

Deception

Misdirection

Smoke and Mirrors

Sleight

An idealistic young doctor works under the supervision of a tough, brilliant senior resident, who pulls the curtain back on the good and evil in modern-day medicine.

The Bad Doctor

The Good Doctor

The Resident

The Intern

Medical examiner Megan Hunt's unique approach to solving crimes puts her at odds with her superiors.

Truth Hurts

Body of Proof

In the Bag

Mortal Rigor

A covert team of Special Forces operatives risk their lives on undercover missions around the globe, while their families maintain the home front.

Brave

Special Forces

The Unit

Behind the Lines

The weekly cases of an FBI unit that specializes in missing-persons investigations.

Gone

Nowhere to Be Found

Without a Trace

Missing

Cal Lightman, the world's leading deception expert, studies facial expressions and involuntary body language to expose the truth behind the lies.

Distortion

Lie to Me

Cheat Me

Deception

It's a show about a family of New York cops.