'How I Met Your Mother,' 'Two and a Half Men' back in March; most dramas in April

CBS is the first network out of the gate with its post-strike lineup, one that will bring nearly all of its scripted series -- from "CSI" to "How I Met Your Mother" -- back to the airwaves.

The network will gradually rebuild its regular lineup, starting with the Monday comedies "HIMYM," "The Big Bang Theory" and "Two and a Half Men," which are set to return Monday, March 17. Dramas will move back into their spots over the following three weeks, with "CSI: Miami" the first to return on Monday, March 24.

All the returning shows will produce at least four new episodes, and in the case of the Monday comedies as many as nine (the exception being "Rules of Engagement," which will air four new episodes in April and May after "Old Christine" finishes its run). "CSI: Miami" will produce eight new shows, while "NCIS" and "Criminal Minds" will do seven apiece.

There's no word on "The Unit," which is on hiatus while CBS airs a winter run of "Big Brother," or "Cane," which completed its initial 13-episode run in December. "Shark" will go back into production for four episodes, but its return date isn't nailed down. The new drama "Swingtown," which hasn't been scheduled yet, will also resume production

Here's a breakdown of CBS' return schedule. Dates and number of episodes are estimates by the network.

Monday

Show: "How I Met Your Mother"
Return date: March 17
Number of episodes: 9

Show: "The Big Bang Theory"
Return date: March 17
Number of episodes: 9

Show: "Two and a Half Men"
Return date: March 17
Number of episodes: 9

Show: "CSI: Miami"
Return date: March 24
Number of episodes: 8

Show: "Rules of Engagement"
Return date: April 14
Number of episodes: 4

Tuesday

Show: "NCIS"
Return date: April 8
Number of episodes: 7

Wednesday

Show: "Criminal Minds"
Return date: April 2
Number of episodes: 7

Show: "CSI: NY"
Return date: April 2
Number of episodes: 7

Thursday

Show: "CSI"
Return date: April 3
Number of episodes: 6

Show: "Without a Trace"
Return date: April 3
Number of episodes: 6

Friday

Show: "Ghost Whisperer"
Return date: April 4
Number of episodes: 6

Show: "Numb3rs"
Return date: April 4
Number of episodes: 6

Show: "Moonlight"
Return date: April 11
Number of episodes: 4

Sunday

Show: "Cold Case"
Return date: March 30
Number of episodes: 5

Show: "Shark"
Return date: TBA
Number of episodes: 4