That early trickle of returning television shows becomes a full-fledged flood this week with the return of several more series, most of them CBS procedurals. Here's a rundown of what to expect in the order that the shows are coming back.

Hell's Kitchen (April 1): A summer series its first three times around, Hell's Kitchen was fast-forwarded into the spring due to uncertainty about when the writers' strike would end. That means a post-American Idol slot for the first time, which might be just the thing to put Gordon Ramsay in a good mood. Ramsay's epic tantrums have always been the selling point for this series and viewers can look forward to more of them as he searches for someone to survive the hazing and land a job at his new place in West Hollywood.

Criminal Minds (April 2): There was upheaval in this show at the start of its third season, as Joe Mantegna stepped in for Mandy Patinkin. Many fans are still having difficulty adjusting to the change, as Mantegna's Rossi still seems separate from the rest of the close-knit team, but the Rossi-centric episode this week, which deals with a case dating from his first stint with the FBI, may begin the process of closing the book on his past. The show will also have to find a way to deal with the pregnancy of A.J. Cook, whose JJ character does not have a husband, a relationship, or any recognizable personal life. The producers will have to invent something for her in a hurry. Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) is single now and has been very protective of JJ -- maybe one too many encounters with cannibalistic devil worshipers caused them both to cross that professional line.

CSI: NY (April 2): The least distinctive of the CBS procedurals returns with an episode hearkening back to the Second Life story of October as a mysterious tip sends the team into a warehouse in pursuit of the prime suspect. The producers are promising a major development for Stella (Melina Kanakaredes), who hasn't otherwise had a lot to do this season.

My Name Is Earl (April 3): The first of the NBC Thursday sitcoms to come back picks up after Earl was hit by a car following his release from prison. Thursday's coma episode features guest appearances from NBC president Jeff Zucker and real life ex-jailbird Paris Hilton. Alyssa Milano will be back in the final nine episodes as Billie, potentially the woman of Earl's dreams and most definitely the woman who ran him over with her car.

CSI (April 3): The big news on this series is that the six episodes remaining in its season could be the final six in the CSI career of Gil Grissom (William Petersen, whose contract is expiring). Something is set in motion that could serve as a means of facilitating Grissom's farewell if it becomes necessary. We will also see the CSI team deal with the departure of Sara (Jorja Fox) this past fall, a subject thus far mostly ignored. And there will be further developments in Warrick's war with mobster Lou Gedda, who was behind the attempt to frame him for killing a stripper.

Without a Trace (April 3): I guess this qualifies as a very special episode: Jack Malone (Anthony LaPaglia) gets shot this Thursday. The bullet proves a temporary obstacle in the team's pursuit of a ring of sex traffickers. Also, Poppy Montgomery may have had her baby in real life, but Samantha is still pregnant on the show. Look for a happy arrival by season's end as well as some further resolution in her personal life.

Ghost Whisperer (April 4): This series has fewer serialized elements than most of the shows on CBS, so viewers can mostly look for more of the self-contained supernatural adventures of Melinda. Producers are promising some more information on Melinda's background as well as a new threat to her anonymity.

Numb3rs (April 4): Don's problematic love life is explored further as he winds up in a professional situation with two exes, Agent Warner and ADA Robin Brooks. And since the show is never more interesting than when the Eppes brothers are arguing from their separate perspectives, there will be an episode where Charlie fights Don on an issue of academic freedom.

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