Normally I could care less about CBS’ primetime schedule. I haven’t tuned into the network regularly since Jericho’s demise. I recently started catching a few episodes of “The Big Bang Theory” (which has been renewed for 2 seasons), “How I Met Your Mother” and “Harper’s Island”. Notice that none of these are part of their famous line-up of bland “procedural dramas”. Headlining this article is Jennifer Love Hewitt, star of Ghost Whisperer. No, I do not watch that show. I just have a picture of her here because she’s hot and she’s associated with the network. That’s it.

This year (like any other year), there are two words that sum up CBS’ latest primetime lineup: more procedurals.

Why fix something that’s not broken? That’s what CBS is going by as they force-feed the audience with more procedural dramas. With a fairly stable lineup, CBS is making very few changes this season.

CBS was the only net to increase its audience this season (something that boggles my mind sometimes), will have four new series on its schedule in the fall — but five that are new to the network. In addition to picking up four new pilots, the Eye also snagged veteran drama “Medium” from NBC after Ben Silverman and co. decided to drop it like it’s hot. It will air on Friday nights, sandwiched between “Ghost Whisperer” and “Numb3rs.” Yawn. I wonder what’s on FOX.

The other big move is shifting the season’s biggest draw “The Mentalist,” to 10 p.m. Thursdays in hopes of dominating Thursday nights to create a “super-block”. Grey’s Anatomy/Private Practice are now shaking in their boots.

The move of “The Mentalist” and the cancellation of “Without a Trace” creates room for two new shows on Tuesdays. The “NCIS” spinoff, “NCIS: Los Angeles,” (new procedural drama count: 1) will follow its parent at 9 p.m., and “The Good Wife,” (new procedural drama count: 2) a legal drama starring Julianna Margulies, airs at 10.

CBS’ other new drama is the medical show “Three Rivers.” It is one of the most buzzed about pilots not because of its innovative storyline, instead it’s because of its leading man Alex O’Loughlin. Yes, this has good quality TV written all over it. The show will air at 9 p.m. Sundays, in between “The Amazing Race” and “Cold Case,” which is sliding back to 10 pm.

The only new comedy for the fall is Jenna Elfman’s “Accidentally on Purpose,” (I can’t believe it’s not a procedural drama!) about a movie critic whose one-night stand with a younger guy results in her getting pregnant. It joins a reshuffled Monday comedy block that will have “How I Met Your Mother” leading off the night at 8 and “The Big Bang Theory” moving behind “Two and a Half Men” (why are you people still watching this show?) at 9:30.

The comedy “Rules of Engagement” will once again come off the bench at midseason, along with two more dramas: the Jerry Bruckheimer medical show “Miami Trauma” (new procedural drama count: 3) and Canadian import “The Bridge” (new procedural drama count: 4). The other Canadian show “Flashpoint” will also appear at some point during the season, but it has yet to be determined.

Let’s take a look at CBS’ 2009-2010 schedule.

Fall Schedule

MONDAY
8:00 PM – How I Met You Mother
8:30 PM – Accidentally on Purpose
9:00 PM – Two and a Half Men
9:30 PM – The Big Bang Theory
10:00 PM – CSI: Miami

TUESDAY
8:00 PM – NCIS
9:00 PM – NCIS: Los Angeles
10:00 PM – The Good Wife

WEDNESDAY
8:00 PM – The New Adventures of Old Christine
8:30 PM – Gary Unmarried
9:00 PM – Criminal Minds
10:00 PM – CSI: NY

THURSDAY
8:00 PM – Survivor
9:00 PM – CSI
10:00 PM – The Mentalist

FRIDAY
8:00 PM – Ghost Whisperer
9:00 PM – Medium
10:00 PM – Numb3rs

SATURDAY
8:00 PM – Crimetime Saturday
9:00 PM – Crimetime Saturday
10:00 PM 48 Hours Mystery

SUNDAY
7:00 PM – 60 Minutes
8:00 PM – The Amazing Race
9:00 PM – Three Rivers
10:00 PM – Cold Case

*New Show

*Old Show, New Time