As two networks pair up, it's time to get real

“Gilmore Girls” (WB): The girls Gilmore, who helm the highest-rated show between the two networks, aren’t going anywhere, although there are rumors that writing team and real-life husband and wife Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino are developing another show and thus may not return. Even if the writers should change, the show’s devoted, overwhelmingly female audience loves the “Girls,” and the WB knows it. Rest easy, fans. Odds of survival: 9.9 out of 10.

"Friday Night Smackdown" (UPN): The two parent companies would only say that WWE is "expected to play a role," but ... well, duh. Here's an iron-clad performer with a built-in audience on a night that's easy to dominate. It's cheap to produce and fills up the evening's entire programming block, so cross Fridays off the list. Odds of survival: 9 out of 10.

“Supernatural” (WB): The merger was announced just days after this smart horror series was written up in the New York Times as the WB’s “only new hit of the fall season.” It has two studly brothers, creepy monsters-of-the-week that often play off old-school urban legends, and a nicely mysterious backstory involving the death of the boys’ mother and the disappearance of their father. Gruesome horror plus eye candy is one thing, but it’s even better when backed by a “Lost”-esque history. Odds of survival: 8 out of 10.

"America's Next Top Model" (UPN): This reality stalwart, now preparing for its sixth season, has never scored in the ratings department but has loyal viewership, unbeatable product tie-ins (that means you, Cover Girl) and lots of promotion potential, especially with host Tyra Banks expanding her own personal brand. The time slot might be tweaked a bit — since "Lost" and "American Idol" have made Wednesdays such a hot property — but it's likely to find a home, unless Tyra decides she'd rather stick to daytime. Odds of survival: 8 out of 10.

“Smallville” (WB): Faster than a speeding bullet, the drama about teen Superman is as safe as Lois Lane is in persistent peril. The Washington Post quoted WB CEO Garth Ancier as saying “what would be the point of owning this network if you weren’t going to have ‘Smallville,’ ” going on to note that the show brings in hundreds of millions of dollars via syndication, overseas and other deals. Perhaps the show will be paired with “Supernatural” for a sci-fi-horror themed night of programming. Odds of survival: 8 out of 10.

“Veronica Mars” (UPN): While the teen detective’s future isn’t as solid as that of “Gilmore,” it was mentioned repeatedly in all the fanfare about the merger. UPN hasn’t officially renewed it as of press time, but it hasn’t officially renewed anything except “Top Model,” so don’t take it personally, Veronica. The show is critically acclaimed, its fans are fanatical, and its buzz only continues to grow. UPN president Dawn Ostroff, who’ll be leading the merged network, has expressed support for “Mars” in the past, so expect it to get at least one season on the CW. Odds of survival: 7 out of 10.

“Beauty and the Geek” (WB): Ashton Kutcher spearheaded this reality concept, in which brilliant, socially inept male nerds are paired with gorgeous, vacuous women. Just a week ago, Kutcher announced that the WB had agreed to flip the genders and try a third season of the show, with smart but socially klutzy women and hot but dumb men. That show was tentatively scheduled for the 2006-2007 TV season, but whether it will still rate a spot after the merger is unknown. Kutcher might just have enough pull to get it done, and he does know a little something about hot but dumb men. Odds of survival: 7 out of 10.

“Everwood” (WB): It’s anybody’s guess, but devotees of this long-running family small-town drama have much to keep them hopeful. Though it’s costly to produce, it’s not losing money for the network. Although its ratings on Thursdays are not as good as it previously earned on Monday nights, WB president David Janollari recently told critics he thinks the show is “hitting a stride well beyond any of its previous years.” Yet that was when there were two networks, and then there was one. “Everwood” has a lot going for it, but it may have to fight for space. Odds of survival: 6 out of 10.

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