CBS is getting out in front with early renewals for fall, picking up 18 of its series for next season. Among the dramas landing renewals on Wednesday were NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, Hawaii Five-0, Criminal Minds, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Mentalist, Blue Bloods, The Good Wife and freshman entry Person Of Interest. Comedies getting a greenlight were Mike & Molly and 2 Broke Girls. Reality shows The Amazing Race and Undercover Boss earned pickups as well.

Previously renewed for next year were comedies How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory, as well as reality hit Survivor. 60 Minutes and 48 Hours Mystery are also back for next season.

CBS confirmed that the network and Warner Bros. TV are “in preliminary discussions regarding future seasons for Two and a Half Men.” At the PaleyFest panel for Two and a Half Men on Monday, star Ashton Kutcher dodged questions about signing up for another year by pointing out that the show had not yet been renewed. But Kutcher and creator Chuck Lorre have all but said that they expect to be back for another year.

The Wednesday announcement did not include pickups for CSI: Miami or CSI: New York — at least one of which isn’t expected to return. Freshman dramas A Gifted Man and Unforgettable are also still awaiting their fate, while comedies Rob and Rules of Engagement remain on the bubble. (The future of those two shows may depend on whether CBS goes forward with a 4-comedy block on Thursdays next year, as most expect.) CBS’ NYC-22 doesn’t debut until April 15.

CBS traditionally waits until closer to the May upfront announcement to make its series renewals — keeping producers on their toes until then. But as ABC, NBC and Fox hold back this year from making too many fall decisions, CBS executives saw an opening to make a splash this week with a whole-scale announcement (and assert their position as TV’s No. 1 network with total viewers).

“This large-scale renewal is testimony to the strength, stability and success of a deep and diverse roster of top-rated programming,” says Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment. “It positions us for continued success next season and certainly creates an environment that will give our new shows the best possible chance to succeed.”

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NCIS: Los Angeles‘ G. Callen and Sam Hanna (played by Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J) will say “aloha” to Hawaii Five-0— and then Steve McGarrett and Danny Williams (Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan) will return the favor — as part of a two-night crossover event for the CBS dramas, slated for May sweeps.

To kick things off, Five-0 showrunner Peter Lenkov says, “Chris and LL are going to come to Hawaii” — where it is revealed that Sam and McGarrett already know each other, having both been Navy SEALs. “There’s a bit of a history there,” Lenkov hints.

When the NCIS agents get wrapped up in what Lenkov calls a “really cool, big stakes” Five-0 case involving a biological weapon, “It ends up taking us to Los Angeles,” with Night 2 of the event unspooling on the Tuesday procedural.

“McGarrett and Danny end up in Los Angeles on our turf, on our terms,” NCIS: LA boss Shane Brennan tells TVLine, touting a “high octane” climax. But lest fans of one show or the either worry about missing half the action, Brennan notes, “You don’t have to watch both to love what’s going to happen.”

Given that NCIS: LA‘s Daniela Ruah crossed her Kensi Blye over to Five-0 earlier this TV season, Lenkov says, “It just seemed like a natural to continue the relationship.”

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