To think NBC might have had 'NCIS' ...

Anybody who tells you that they're not surprised that, in its seventh season, "NCIS" has become TV's No. 1 show is lying.

C'mon. This sort of thing doesn't happen.

Most shows have a ratings curve of sorts. Even an out-of-the-box hit — which "NCIS" was not — generally gets bigger over its first couple of seasons, peaks, maybe plateaus, and then declines.

For a show to grow significantly in its sixth and seventh seasons is unusual. For a show to grow into the most-watched program on TV is unprecedented.

CBS is, of course, thrilled with what's happened. And there's a certain irony that it happened on that network.

"NCIS" is, of course, a spinoff of "JAG." And "JAG" premiered on NBC way back in 1995.

NBC didn't think much of the show and canceled it after one season. At which point CBS picked it up. And "JAG" ran for nine more very successful seasons on its new home.

Not only did CBS end up with nine seasons of "JAG," but also seven seasons of "NCIS." And now it has "NCIS" spinoff "NCIS: Los Angeles" — another big hit.

So far this season, "NCIS: Los Angeles" is the No. 3 show on TV.

NBC, of course, would kill for a couple of shows like "NCIS" and "NCIS: Los Angeles." The last-place peacock's highest-rated scripted series is "Law & Order: SVU."

And, for the season to date, "SVU" is No. 40.

"SCRUBS" RETURNS IN DECEMBER. ABC has slated the return of the show for Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 8 p.m.

("Better Off Ted" returns Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 8:30 p.m.)

Of course, it's not exactly accurate to say the show is returning. It will be more like the debut of "Scrubs: The Sequel."

The only cast members who are returning as regulars are John C. McGinley (Dr. Cox) and Donald Faison (Turk). They'll be the mentors to a group of medical students at the school across the street from Sacred Heart Hospital.

Former regulars Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Judy Reyes and Ken Jenkins will make guest appearances.

If the sequel is as good as the original, this is a great idea. If not ... well, the "Scrubs" eighth-season finale was a great series finale. Let's hope this doesn't ruin the memories.

TNT TAKES "SOUTHLAND": As expected, TNT has picked up "Southland," the promising cop drama NBC canceled before its second-season premiere.

There will not, however, be any more episodes produced anytime soon. Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 12, TNT will repeat the seven episodes that aired last season on NBC, then air the six episodes produced for the second season before NBC pulled the plug.