Ted Danson’s 8 Best TV Shows

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I’m so excited! The second season of A Man on the Inside, starring Ted Danson, is coming out! I absolutely loved the first season – it was so clever and funny, and Ted Danson was fantastic enough to get a Golden Globe nomination. Now, things are getting even better because his wife, Mary Steenburgen, is joining the cast! All eight episodes will be available on Netflix on November 20, 2025, and I’ve already marked my calendar.

This comedy series is a new highlight in Ted Danson’s already impressive television career. While he’s appeared in well-known films like Body Heat and Saving Private Ryan, Danson is best known for his work on TV. He’s been involved in an incredible 62 television projects and has received 18 Emmy nominations for his performances. But what are his most memorable shows?

The following 8 shows stand out for Danson’s performances and the overall quality.

8
‘Bored to Death’ (2009 – 2011)


HBO Entertainment

After a difficult breakup, novelist Jonathan Ames (Jason Schwartzman) finds himself lost and takes on a side job as an amateur private investigator. This leads to a series of bizarre and often comical cases. He’s helped along the way by his close friend Ray Hueston (Zach Galifianakis), a cartoonist, and George Christopher (Ted Danson), a magazine editor.

This clever and sharply funny show playfully mocks mid-life crises and the arrogance of people who think they have all the answers. It’s surprisingly hilarious, and while the characters’ attempts to recapture their youth expose their failures as adults, their stories are also surprisingly relatable. Even years after it ended, Bored to Death remains a beloved show that fans wish had lasted longer. Talk of a follow-up movie has been ongoing, but so far, it hasn’t come to fruition.

7
‘Damages’ (2007 – 2010)


F/X Network / Courtesy: Everett Collection

The series Damages explores the complex careers of ambitious lawyer Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) and her young protégé, Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne). They navigate a challenging legal world, often feeling alone as they face pressure from powerful opponents. Despite these difficulties, they consistently succeed. The first season focuses on their legal battle against billionaire Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson), who is being sued by his own workers.

If you enjoy legal dramas, Damages is a hidden gem that deserves more attention, especially now that it’s available on streaming. The show is captivating thanks to its clever, non-traditional storytelling, using techniques like flashbacks, foreshadowing, and misdirection. William Shatner delivers a particularly impressive performance, portraying a character capable of both shocking and sympathetic actions – a role that earned him two Emmy nominations: one for Supporting Actor and another as a Guest Actor in a Drama Series.

6
‘Becker’ (1998 – 2004)


Paramount Television / Courtesy: Everett Collection

The show Becker, set in the Bronx, features Ted Danson as John Becker, a grumpy doctor with a small practice who seems annoyed by everyone around him – his patients, friends, and colleagues. Even though he’s often in a bad mood, people remain loyal to him because he’s a skilled and caring doctor.

Though Becker, played by Danson, can be incredibly irritating, he remains likable because he always stays true to his morals. The show is well worth watching thanks to its fantastic writing and many touching scenes. Becker’s frequent outbursts are among the best on television. What’s also impressive is that the series fearlessly addresses important topics like racism, LGBTQ+ rights, drug addiction, mental health, and political correctness.

5
‘CSI’ (2000 – 2015)


CBS

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation centers around a skilled team of forensic investigators with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVPD) who solve murder cases by analyzing physical evidence. Later in the series, Ted Danson plays D.B. Russell, the supervisor of the night shift and director of the Las Vegas Crime Lab.

The debate over whether CSI or Law & Order is the better police procedural is likely to continue endlessly, but fans are better off enjoying both. This show, and its various spin-offs, have often been both criticized for pushing the limits of what’s shown on network television and praised for setting a higher standard for how investigations and trials are portrayed. The show boasts so many memorable characters that it’s hard to single anyone out, though Ted Danson as Russell consistently delivers an excellent performance, and the entire cast is impressive. You’ll find yourself applauding them all.

4
‘Fargo’ (2014 – 2024)


FX

Based on the popular 1996 Coen Brothers film, Fargo is a series of crime stories set throughout the American Midwest, particularly in Minnesota. In the second season, Danson plays Sheriff Hank Larsson of Rock County, investigating a hit-and-run and the subsequent attempts to hide what happened.

Danson had a great role in a particularly acclaimed season of the show, which earned 18 Emmy nominations. He perfectly captured the Minnesota accent, despite finding it challenging to learn. Visually, Fargo is stunning, comparable to the original Coen Brothers film. Whether it’s the snowy or sandy landscapes, the show’s scenery is beautifully captured. You’ll be hooked by the surprising plot twists, and the violence is presented in a way that’s impressive rather than off-putting.

3
‘A Man on the Inside’ (2024 – Present)


Colleen E. Hayes/Netflix

Recently widowed and looking for purpose, Charles, a former engineering professor, unexpectedly finds a new mission when he answers an ad for a senior citizen to go undercover. He’s assigned to investigate a serious crime at the Pacific View Retirement Community. Will he be able to succeed in A Man on the Inside?

Inspired by the Oscar-nominated documentary The Mole Agent, this new show is a funny, suspenseful, and surprisingly heartwarming watch. It works so well because the creator, Michael Schur, understands the basics of good comedy, and everything plays perfectly to Ted Danson’s talents. Expect plenty of dry wit and moments that will make you laugh out loud. It’s too soon to say for sure, but this comedy has all the makings of a long-running hit.

2
‘The Good Place’ (2016 – 2020)


NBC

The TV show The Good Place imagines what happens after death. People who lived good lives go to a heavenly utopia, overseen by an afterlife designer named Michael (played by Ted Danson). Those who were bad end up in a terrible “Bad Place.” The story begins when Eleanor Shellstrop finds herself mistakenly in the Good Place and desperately tries to hide that a mistake has been made.

Beautifully made and full of charming details, The Good Place is a genuinely feel-good show that consistently delivers laughs. It’s also surprisingly thoughtful, exploring complex ideas about right and wrong through different philosophical concepts like virtue ethics, duty-based ethics, and even nihilism. Ted Danson is fantastic as Michael, and his performance rightfully earned him three Emmy nominations.

1
‘Cheers’ (1982 – 1993)


NBC

Cheers stars Ted Danson as Sam Malone, a charming bartender who owns the bar and is known for his many romantic interests. Once a relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, Sam spends his days interacting with a colorful group of regulars, and their lives are a central part of the show. He also shares a complicated, on-and-off romance with Diane Chambers, played by Shelley Long.

Cheers was an exceptionally well-received show, earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series every single one of its 11 seasons. It was a heartwarming series that beautifully portrayed everyday life and the struggles and joys of adults navigating their way through it. Ted Danson, the show’s star, is remarkable – he managed to achieve success with another hit show after Cheers, something few actors are able to do. His talent is clearly the reason for his continued success.

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2025-11-21 05:05