CBS gets busy

CBS was first out of the gate in officially announcing the return of its scripted shows, and I thoughtfully typed it all up for you:

(Show, anticipated return date, expected number of new episodes)

“How I Met Your Mother:” March 17, 9
“The Big Bang Theory:” March 17, 9
“Two and a Half Men:” March 17, 9
“CSI: Miami:” March 24, 8
“Cold Case:” March 30, 5
“Criminal Minds:” April 2, 7
“CSI: New York:” April 2, 7
“CSI:” April 3, 6
“Without a Trace:” April 3, 6
“Ghost Whisperer:” April 4, 6
“Numb3rs:” April 4, 6
“NCIS:” April 8, 7
“Moonlight:” April 11, 4
“Rules of Engagement:” April 14, 6
“Shark:” TBA, 4

CBS’s midseason series “Swingtown” has resumed production, but has yet to be scheduled. “Dexter’s” currently in “Shark’s” timeslot. “Big Brother’s” in “The Unit’s” timeslot. CBS thoughtfully points out that “Cane” remains on hiatus due to “Jericho” being in its timeslot, but no one really expects it to return.

As for “Big Bother” (as ratings guru Marc Berman inadvertently referred to it, though it's a more honest title) and “Jericho,” they returned with a bit of a shrug. Up against “American Idol,” “Big Bother” had 7.3 million viewers and was No. 3 in the hour in viewers 18-49. 7.1 million watch “Jericho’s” return; it was No. 2 in the 18-49 demo, but more people watched both a repeat of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Boston Legal,” so that can’t be good. CBS got more peanuts last summer from “Jericho” fans hoping to get the show renewed than it did viewers last night.