CBS closes in on three dramas

'NCIS' spinoff, Margulies starrer, 'Rivers' in works

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

The first real indication of notoriously tight-lipped CBS' new series plans emerged Saturday, as the Eye gave a greenlight to begin staffing up three dramas.

Pilots given the go-ahead -- a pretty obvious sign that series orders are imminent -- include the "NCIS" spinoff, as well as medical drama "Three Rivers" and the Julianna Margulies starrer "The Good Wife."

All three shows come from sister CBS Television Studio (the newly renamed CBS Paramount Network TV).

"Good Wife" stars Margulies as a woman who must return to work as a lawyer after her husband is sent to jail. Michelle King and Robert King wrote the pilot and exec producer with Ridley Scott, Tony Scott and David Zucker. Pilot was helmed by Charles McDougall.

"Three Rivers" revolves around the world of organ donors; Carol Barbee and Curtis Hanson are exec producers along with Carol Fenelon and Ted Gold.

Daniel Attias directed the pilot, which stars Alex O'Loughlin.

Then there's the new "NCIS" spinoff, starring LL Cool J and Chris O'Donnell. The Los Angeles-set show comes from exec producer Shane Brennan. Pilot recently aired as a two-part episode of "NCIS."

Also at the Eye, while "Cold Case" is still looking good for renewal, the jury's still out on "Without a Trace" and "The Unit."