threerivers

Generally speaking, CBS had a strong 2008, developing one bona fide hit drama -- The Mentalist -- even though shows like The Ex-List never found an audience or a critical plaudit. Ironically, I liked The Ex-List based on the screener I reviewed last summer, so go figure. Sometimes a preview can inform you about a show's potential and sometimes it's just the best it'll ever be.

CBS has shared previews for the new season and we've had a chance to take a look. There are star vehicles for Jenna Elfman, Alex O'Loughlin and Julianna Margulies, which would seem logical based on the success of Simon Baker as The Mentalist. CBS is counting on familiar, popular TV stars to win over audiences. Will the strategy work? It's probably too soon to tell.

The 19th season of 'Survivor' will lead off CBS' 2009 fall premiere schedule.

The 'Samoa' edition premieres Thu., Sept. 17, followed by the network's Monday night comedy block, which includes the debut of Jenna Elfman's 'Accidentally on Purpose,' on Sept. 21.

Meanwhile, dates were also added for hit shows like 'Criminal Minds' (Wed., Sept. 23), 'The Mentalist' (Thu., Sept. 24) and the NBC import 'Medium,' premiering Fri. , Sept. 25.

Check out the full list of premiere dates after the jump.

Just because CBS is changing where the new medical drama Three Rivers will be filmed, doesn't mean the show is in trouble. After all, a lot of shows are retooled once the pilot is filmed. However, they recently dumped the leading lady, Julia Ormond, too. To me this says that Three Rivers is shifting focus, and I don't mean by filming in a Pittsburgh hospital set that they're building in Los Angeles instead of the real thing in Pennsylvania.

It could well mean that CBS is thinking about making Three Rivers a star vehicle for Alex O'Loughlin. CBS has The Mentalist in mind for Three Rivers, with Alex becoming the next golden pin-up, just like Simon Baker. I mean, take a look at this publicity picture. That's a muscle shirt more than a surgical scrubs top. And don't get me wrong, Alex has the body to pull it off.

The networks are in the process of recasting some of their new shows before the fall season starts. Some of the shows getting new cast members include ABC's The Forgotten, CBS' NCIS: Los Angeles, and Three Rivers, also from CBS.

Don't worry Alex O'Loughlin fans. Three Rivers' hunky vamp turned transplant surgeon isn't going anywhere. But his lead co-star, Julia Ormond, has been shown the door. CBS has yet to announce who will replace Ormond on the show. If they're smart, the network will try to nab O'Loughlin's former Moonlight co-star, Sophia Myles, to replace Ormond.

Our coverage of Moonlight and our recent interview with O'Loughlin taught us a few things: There are tons of Moonlight fans out there. They love O'Loughlin, and they'll watch anything he does. O'Loughlin fans also love Sophia Myles. They couldn't get enough of Mick and Beth's season-long love story on Moonlight.

Coming off a strong 2008 season, CBS is taking some bold moves with their new season program schedule. As we wrote earlier, there are four new dramas, a sitcom and a reality show in the mix.

The big news is how it's shifting around some hit shows on Monday and Thursday, while standing pat on Wednesday. Here's what we know right now...after the jump.

We're still over 24 hours away from CBS making their official announcements about the new season, but apparently pre-upfront news is as plentiful as upfront news, so here we are with more information about what CBS will be telling us tomorrow. In addition to the already leaked three dramas that are a go -- Alex O'Loughlin in Three Rivers, Julianna Margulies in The Good Wife, and LL Cool J and Chris O'Donnell in the NCIS spin-off -- today we've learned about three more new shows.

Jenna Elfman is back on TV with a new sitcom. In 2006, she tried a CBS comedy called Courting Alex that failed to click, but she had a five-year run on ABC with Dharma & Greg. The actress toplines Accidentally on Purpose, playing a film critic (and I hope whatever publication she writes for doesn't go belly-up like so many others these days) who accidentally gets pregnant after a fling with a younger man. I'm laughing already.

Moonlight is history, but Alex O'Loughlin is still in demand. The actor, who garnered a huge fan base playing Moonlight's good guy vampire Mick St. John, returns to TV this week. O'Loughlin will guest star as a conflicted serial killer on CBS's Criminal Minds on Wednesday.

For O'Loughlin fans, the guest appearance is only a tease. What they really want to see is their favorite Aussie actor starring in a new weekly series. They might get their wish if CBS picks up Three Rivers, a drama pilot starring O'Loughlin as an organ transplant surgeon.

I got a chance to speak with O'Loughlin this week. We chatted about his new projects, his love for the vampire genre, and how Mick St. John could totally kick Kate Beckinsale's ass. Click through for the conversation, plus preview images and video from the actor's appearance on Criminal Minds.

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.

Vampires don't die, they just move on to crime procedurals and medical shows. Angel's David Boreanaz is solving murders on Bones, and CBS is in negotiations with Moonlight's Alex O'Loughlin to star in a medical drama pilot called Three Rivers. O'Loughlin will play a doctor who heads up a team of organ donor transplant specialists.

In an effort to stand out from all the other medical shows clogging up the tube, Three Rivers will focus on organ transplants as seen through the eyes of the donors, doctors and recipients. Carol Barbee (Jericho) is scripting the pilot and filmmaker Curtis Hanson (8 Mile) is executive producer.