'Undercover Boss' (2010)

( CBS / February 4, 2013 )

The plot: CBS debuted its unscripted series about CEOs and other high-ranking executives who pose as regular working stiffs in their companies for a while, see what actually works and what doesn't, then reveal themselves and reward the hard-working people they've met along the way. Waste Management Inc. president/COO Larry O'Donnell was the first subject.

How many watched: 38.6 million

Touchdown or fumble: A big ratings touchdown for CBS. The show drew the biggest post-Super Bowl audience since 2001 and has been a steady performer ever since.

-- Rick Porter, Zap2it