DEFENDERS TENDERED

As I said earlier this week, I don't usually cover pilots until they've actually got the green light to go to series. But this one feels like a given, considering its pedigree.

Jim Belushi is slated to star in a legal drama called 'Defenders' that may be picked up by CBS. The reason I think it may go to series is because Carol Mendelsohn is one of the executive producers. She performs the same duties for 'CSI'.

So I can see CBS picking up the show - about two defense attorneys in Las Vegas (Belushi's role would be modeled on Mickey Sherman) - and then asking for a crossover tie-in to 'CSI' so that 'Defenders' can ride the coat-tails to bigger ratings.

We'll see.....

BCnU!