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TwitterKnow your 2009 pilots: Coming, perhaps, to CBS
CBS is the least sexy of all the broadcast networks. It doesn't make as many big creative reaches as ABC or FOX, it doesn't feature the magazine-cover-ready young hotties of The CW and it's not in the throes of a downward spiral like NBC is.
All CBS does is make well-produced shows that appeal to wide audiences and schedules them smartly, which has led to a run of success that's lasted for pretty much this entire decade. A lineup of traditional sitcoms, mostly close-ended dramas and well-established reality franchises doesn't necessarily make for great copy, but it sure is good business.
As such, CBS probably won't need too much in the way of new shows come next fall -- it could conceivably bring back its entire current schedule in the fall and not suffer much for it. Chances are that won't happen, as the network will probably look for a comedy or two to fill out its Monday and Wednesday blocks ("Worst Week" probably won't be back) and a couple dramas to freshen things up.
Here's a sampling of what CBS is developing (you can also check out the ABC edition of Know Your Pilots and take a look at the many familiar faces starring in pilots).
"Back" and "A Marriage"
What they are: Dramas. "Back" is about a man ("Jericho" star Skeet Ulrich) who went missing on 9/11 and shows up eight years later, while "A Marriage" is described simply as a look at "a marriage that works."
Why we're interested: Both shows are a little bit outside the CBS procedural wheelhouse, but they also sound like an opportunity for grown-up, open-ended storytelling that doesn't necessarily require massive investment in a show's mythology. Both also have respected producers backing them -- Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ("A Raisin in the Sun") for "Back" and Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz ("thirtysomething," "Once and Again") for "A Marriage."
"Happiness Isn't Everything" (aka Hurwitz/Biggs project)
What it is: A comedy starring Jason Biggs and Richard Dreyfuss about a family that's overly involved in one another's lives.
Why we're interested: Because the idea of Dreyfuss as Biggs' father is fun to contemplate, as is the thought that "Arrested Development" veterans Mitch Hurwitz and Jim Vallely will are writing the script.
"NCIS" spinoff
What it is: As close to a sure thing for the fall that there is, a back-door pilot about undercover operatives in the NCIS Office of Special Projects.
Why we're interested: Because it will be interesting to see, given the remarkable consistency and durability of "NCIS," whether the new show (with Chris O'Donnell, LL Cool J and "CSI" vet Louise Lombard) will be able to live up to that kind of success.
"Washington Field"
What it is: Another CBS-ready procedural, this one about a team of FBI agents who work in the field office in the nation's capital.
Why we're interested: It boasts an intriguing cast that includes Gina Torres, Cole Hauser, Eddie Cibrian and Teri Polo and comes from the executive producer of "Criminal Minds," Ed Bernero. And, presumably, won't be all about serial killers.
"The Fish Tank"
What it is: A comedy about a teenager (Drake Bell) whose parents' jobs take them out of town frequently, leaving him alone at home.
Why we're interested: Bell has moved on from his Nickelodeon days with roles in movies like "College" and "Superhero Movie," but if he can carry a network sitcom, he may be able to shed the teen-star label for good.
"Three Rivers"
What it is: A drama about surgeons, donors and patients at a regional transplant center in Pittsburgh.
Why we're interested: Primarily because it stars "Moonlight's" Alex O'Loughlin, and will therefore test CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler's assertion that most of the response to the cancelled vampire show was "actor-centric."
"Accidentally on Purpose"
What it is: A comedy about a movie critic (Jenna Elfman) who gets pregnant from a brief fling with a younger man (Jon Foster).
Why we're interested: Elfman is a pretty talented comic actress, Foster ("life as we know it") is a likable guy, and the cast also includes "Ugly Betty" and "Extras" scene-stealer Ashley Jensen. That's worth at least a look.
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Zap2it Twitter Talk 
I am so glad that Alex O'Loughlin is cast in the pilot Three River. I keep my fingers crossed for it to be picked up by CBS. That means Alex will be back on my TV screen!!! I miss him so much!!!
Alex is a talented and gorgeous actor who brought to me the splendid character of Mick St John in Moonlight. He so deserves to be a lead on a creative and imaginative show
Back sounds interesting, and I've heard there is a unique twist. I'm not sure if Ulrich's character has not aged the 8 missing years but everyone else has or what? Any more info on this? I like that CBS is taking chances, but they are too quick to cancel shows. Jericho was never given a chance and yet had an overwhelming audience loyalty after only 1 season.
CANT WAIT TO SEE THESE SHOWS
I'm so excited about Three Rivers.. Alex O'Loughlin is a great actor.. He deserves to have a new show..CBS knows they made a mistake canceling Moonlight
It's nice to see that the ideas being generated are, actual ideas, not "reality" programs. But, I am really concerned that one of my absolute favorite shows, "Cold Case", may be cancelled, because, I heard that it was in jeopardy. :-|
I don't really see why networks have to upheave schedules, when they work...But, there are a lot of things that they could get rid of, to make room for any new projects that they may choose to air, besides "Cold Case" (how about "The Unit", or one of the umpteen "CSI" shows, or some of their dumb sitcoms?!)!!!
Some of these show ideas might be interesting/might pan out, okay...But, I don't see most of them working/having much longevity, at all. (Then again, in a world where good shows get cancelled, and stupid ones stay, the dumbest shows could last for years. :-|)
(And, shows built around actors, rather than plots, aren't a good idea. And, characters on shows should be believable people...not magazine-cover-ready 'models' [who you enjoy looking at, but can't really watch]).
I am concerned that CBS is going to tamper too much with it's roster of sitcoms. Agreed "Worst Week" should go, but everything else should come back. If they absolutley must cancel another one then how about "Rules Of Engagement".
"Accidentally on Purpose" sounds promising and would be a great companion to "New Adventures Of Old Christine", but only if it is a multi-camera comedy. I find that single-camera comedies airing prior to, or after multi-camera comedies rarely work and seriously stunt the flow.
If those two can be paired up, then "Gary Unmarried" could be moved to follow "Two And A Half Men" and would also be a comfortable fit.
Then I would like to see CBS try some original sitcom programming again on Sa****ays. "Rules Of Engagement" could be paired with the Jason Biggs comedy (again is it multi-camera? Doesn't seem so). CBS is in the best position to be the kings of comedy again .... I don't believe they have held that title since the 70's heyday. They have a great platform of succesful comedies to build upon further. I would also love to see a nice family show like "Eight is Enough" on Sa****ays following a couple of sitcoms. Again, now is the time to re-launch Sa****ay nights ..... it's a recession ..... everyone is staying home watching telly again. We are starving for original scripted programing on Sa****ay nights .... and kudo's to CBS for sticking with Friday nights .... I am sure the other Nets are praying for CBS to abandon Friday nights, so that they can also do so without negative criticism.
Finally .... please CBS ..... some variety in your drama's and commitment to them. Swingtown, Cane, Moonlight .... all great shows that needed some more time to grow, better time-slots and a positive commitment from the network before they even launched. It was so obvious before "Swingtown" had even aired one episode that CBS had NO faith in it and that it had no chance of a second series ..... thus, nobody bothered to watch. Such a shame, "Swingtown" was perhaps the edgiest, funniest, warmest, most compelling show on any network for a very very long time .... dare I say since "Dallas" and "Falcon Crest".
I just want my JERICHO back WITH Gerald McRaney!!!!! :(
I very much hope to see Alex O'Loughlin back in a series, "Three Rivers" sounds interesting, but "Moonlight" should never have been cancelled. There were so many loose ends which would have made another series very entertaining.
CBS lost a lot of loyal viewers when it cancelled Moonlight. Me among them. I'm not going to get hooked into watching another one of their shows just to have them pull the plug whenever they feel like it and for no good reason (I repeat, for no good reason)...again...
I would rather watch another network or shut off the TV entirely. CBS can call me when they decide to make a commitment to their viewers.
"Three Rivers" would be a good addition to the CBS line up as they don't have a medical based program and NBC is losing ER. Alex O'Loughlin is an up-and-coming, talented actor who should shine in this show. I hope this one is a winner for fall!