Prime-time lineups face major questions

April usually is the month when we ponder the odds of survival for prime-time TV shows. Which ones will be canceled? Which ones will live to fight another season?

Typically, we get our answers in May, the month traditionally designated by the broadcast networks for announcing their fall lineups. But the 2007-08 television season has been anything but typical.

The three-month writers strike changed the rules, prompting the networks to make many decisions earlier than usual. ABC and the CW, for instance, borrowed a page from the CBS playbook, announcing early renewals for several shows.

Needing a confidence boost, struggling NBC took an even bolder step, announcing its entire fall lineup – as well as schedules for the winter and summer of 2009.

Still, without question, many questions remain.

Here’s how things shape up for the five major networks, with shows placed in one of five categories (ranging from certain renewal to certain cancellation).

If you don’t see a title, it’s probably the rare program that doesn’t fit one of the categories. “American Gladiator,” for instance, was not announced for renewal by NBC, but it did well and could be brought back at any time.

ABC

Already renewed: “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “Dancing With the Stars,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost,” “Private Practice,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Samantha Who?” “Supernanny,” “Ugly Betty,” “Wife Swap”

Likely to be renewed: “According to Jim,” “Saturday Night Football,” “20/20”

On the bubble: “The Bachelor,” “Big Shots,” “Boston Legal,” “Carpoolers,” “Dance War,” “Eli Stone,” “Men in Trees,” “Notes From the Underbelly,” “Oprah’s Big Give,” “Women’s Murder Club”

Likely to be canceled:”Cashmere Mafia,” “Cavemen,” “Here Come the Newlyweds,” “Just for Laughs,” “October Road”

CBS

Already renewed: “The Amazing Race,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Cold Case,” “Criminal Minds,” “CSI,” “CSI: Miami,” “CSI: NY,” “Ghost Whisperer,” “NCIS,” “Numb3rs,” “60 Minutes,” “Survivor,” “Two and a Half Men,” “Without a Trace”

Likely to be renewed: “48 Hours Mystery,” “Power of Ten,” “Shark,” “The Unit”

On the bubble: “How I Met Your Mother,” “Moonlight,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” “Rules of Engagement”

Likely to be canceled: “Cane,” “Kid Nation,” “Welcome to the Captain”

Already canceled: “Jericho,” “Viva Laughlin”

NBC

Already renewed: “The Apprentice,” “The Biggest Loser,” “Chuck,” “Dateline NBC,” “Deal or No Deal,” “ER,” “Football Night in America,” “Friday Night Lights,” “Heroes,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Life,” “Lipstick Jungle,” “Medium,” “My Name Is Earl,” “The Office,” “Sunday Night Football,” “30 Rock”

Already canceled: “Amnesia,” “Bionic Woman,” “Journeyman,” “Las Vegas,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad,” “One vs. 100,” “Phenomenon,” “Scrubs,” “Singing Bee”

Fox

Already renewed: “American Idol,” “Prison Break,” “24”

Likely to be renewed: “America’s Most Wanted: America Fights Back,” “American Dad,” “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” “Bones,” “Cops,” “Family Guy,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” “House,” “King of the Hill,” “Kitchen Nightmares,” “The Moment of Truth,” “The Simpsons,” “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”

On the bubble: “Back to You,” “Don’t Forget the Lyrics,” “The Next Great American Band,” “New Amsterdam,” ” ‘Til Death,” “Unhitched”

Likely to be canceled: “Canterbury’s Law,” “K-Ville,” “The Return of Jezebel James”

The CW

Already renewed: “America’s Top Model,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “Gossip Girl,” “One Tree Hill,” “Smallville,” “Supernatural”

Likely to be renewed: “Aliens in America,” “Beauty and the Geek,” “Friday Night Smackdown,” “Pussycat Dolls”

On the bubble: “Crowned,” “Reaper”

Likely to be canceled: “The Game”

Already canceled: “CW Now,” “Girlfriends,” “Life Is Wild,” “Online Nation”