TVSquad

CSI: Miami's Horatio Cane is getting a son, those kids on How I Met Your Mother are getting a Mom and Jericho fans are getting seven more episodes -- for now.

CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler offered up some news and story tidbits and fielded inquiries from the press about the off-screen lives of Eye network stars as Wednesday morning's press session got underway.

First up: the story tidbits and other show-related news. "Viewers will get hints about the identity of the mother in How I Met Your Mother," Tassler revealed. (Me, I've always guessed it's Alyson Hannigan -- but I'm not sure I want to see Hannigan's Lily and Jason Segel's Marshall not live happily ever after.)

Tassler added that David Caruso's Miami character will be getting a biological son. (Forget about doing a DNA test; they'll know the two are related when Horatio Jr. takes...just...the...right...beat....between words.) Also, Ghost Whisperer will be getting a new mythology: Melinda and Jim didn't choose the town they live in, rather it selected them. Sounds like just the right twist to introduce into the surreal series third season.

Cold Case will have an episode featuring music entirely by Nirvana, which sounds like heaven to Nirvana fans. Also, CSI and Without a Trace will have a crossover.

With announcements out of the way, Tassler opened the floor to other topics -- first up was why did the network decide to give fan favorite Jericho another shot?

"We love the show creatively," Tassler says. "We saw a level of audience involvement in the show. (Note: that would be all the nuts fans mailed to CBS.) And we said, 'maybe this show needs a second chance?'"

Later, Tassler admitted she thought that the nude beach photos of Criminal Minds' Shemar Moore that can be found on PerezHilton.com would have solicited her first question.

(There's probably a pun about Moore's racy shots and the nuts Jericho fans mailed in to CBS in there somewhere, but I'm not going to make it. )

Fans have always written letters in support of their shows but is the Internet allowing execs to get feedback on programs in a better way? "It's got to," says Tassler. "People revealed how involved they were with the show."

Jericho is set for only seven new episodes, but Tassler promises, "We're going to give it a lot of promotion."

Tassler advises not to dismiss Kid Nation just because it's a bunch of children running the show. "You'd be surprised to learn [what kind of statement an 8-year-old has to make]," she previews.

What's the deal with Mandy Patinkin walking away from his second successful CBS series? (He'd previously quit Chicago Hope back in the 90s.) Tassler's asked versions of this question at least four or five times. Acknowledging that it may or may not be the answer people want to hear, she responds, "Mandy asked to be released. It's a personal issue."

As the media continued to press the matter, Tassler said this wasn't the forum to elaborate on it and hopefully Patinkin himself will give an interview about the matter.

What's the deal with Don Bellisario leaving NCIS over creative differences with series lead Mark Harmon? "Stars complaining about shows is nothing new," deflects Tassler, who later confirmed that Drew Carey is a contender to take over as host of The Price is Right.

Drew's success as host of CBS' The Power of 10 has helped the funnyman be in the right place at the right time, perhaps. So maybe "Barker's Beauties" will be renamed "Carey's Cuties?" Stay tuned.

On the topic of new series Moonlight being revamped from its presentation form, Tassler noted, "Your pilot should not be your best episode."

Moore and his racy photos and Patinkin and his walking away from lucrative gigs may not be the top stories after today. Tassler was asked about the TMZ.com report that CSI star Gary Dourdan attacked a TMZ photographer last night.

"I just heard about it and have to get more information," Tassler responded.

Hmm...Dourdan is on the schedule to attend the CBS Stars Party in Brentwood tomorrow night.

To quote Horatio Caine: I suspect...an updated list...is on...the way.