This Wednesday, CBS will make its official announcement for the 2008-09 season, but word has already leaked out that there will be three new drama series in CBS's new schedule. The NCIS spinoff, which I would have nixed, is in there, as well as a Julianna Margulies show called The Good Wife, and an Alex O'Loughlin vehicle set in the medical field and dealing with organ donors called Three Rivers. The latter may not have the sex appeal of Moonlight, but how much you want to bet the O'Loughlin fans will be tuning in?

All three of these shows are one-hour dramas, so that means the rumors about Without A Trace, Cold Case and The Unit all being on the bubble were true. Cold Case had a strong finish with a two-parter that performed very well in the ratings, so it could be safe, but the other two are likely to be ending their runs.

So ... what did you think of the first part of NCIS' big spinoff episodes? "Legend" is the episode that serves as the spinoff launch for a new series starring Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J. Maybe this is the first step in an NCIS franchise, a la CSI. Let's hope not.

'NCIS'
(8PM, CBS)
Murder, terrorists and a spin-off ... oh my. Tonight's episode, the first of a two-parter, has it all, as Gibbs and McGee head to Los Angeles to investigate the murder of a Marine.

Once there, they meet up with fellow Office of Special Projects agents G. Callen (Chris O'Donnell) and Sam Hanna (LL Cool J), who take the lead as the murder investigation turns into an urgent race to track down a terrorist cell.

Meanwhile, back at home base, Tony questions Ziva's loyalty when Mossad agent Michael Rivkin pops up. As for guest stars O'Donnell and LL Cool J, fans could get used to seeing their faces – they've been tapped to star in an 'NCIS' spin-off that may air on CBS next fall.

With big hits like 'Grey's Anatomy' and '30 Rock' winding down for the season, we're getting a head start on all the buzz-worthy pilots every TV fan needs to know about.

And here are some hints -- small-screen vets like Kelsey Grammer, Mischa Barton and Sarah Michelle Gellar are set to return, classic hits ('Melrose Place') are getting high-profile remakes and two spin-offs could give their predecessors a run for their money.

Click through our pilots roundup to find out where each will premiere and which stars are on board ... so you can make the informed decisions about which shows you may want to save room for on your DVR.