Chalk it up to the power of social media.

After a concerted Facebook campaign, Betty White has confirmed she will be appearing on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”

Now in what capacity - her legion of fans (this viewer included) want her to host - is unclear. Also unclear - just when she will pop up, though expect it to be fairly soon. Here’s hoping the writers give her more to do than just a cameo.

The “Golden Girl” reportedly was taken by surprise by the fan-based campaign. I don’t think she knew how beloved she is. Kudos to NBC for acknowledging the will of the fans. Now, for once in a long time, I have a reason to tune into SNL.

NBC is thrilled with its bundle of joy.

The one-hour “Office,” in which Pam (Jenna Fischer) gave birth to a little cubemate, beat a first-run episode of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” in the adult 18-49 demographic for the first time, according to overnight figures from Nielsen Media Research.

“The Office” was the No. 2 show of the night, topped only by Fox’s “American Idol.” The episode drew about 9 million viewers overall, and it was the highest rated episode of the sitcom since the wedding episode last October.

The adventures of a Superman-in-training will return for a record 10th season, CW announced.

Ending speculation, CW has opted to renew “Smallville.” According to the network, in its new Friday time slot, “Smallville” is drawing record numbers - 3.12 million viewers.

I just wonder how many stories are left to tell. The series is showing its age. Star Tom Welling now wears a cheap “Matrix” style coat to hide his super-stunts. The character seems no closer to learning to fly. The Clark/Lois romance has shown some interesting wrinkles but has yet to grab me. Without Michael Rosenbaum as Lex, the series has lost some of its edge. My biggest gripe is that Clark just seems so darn passive -and I can’t tell if that’s because of the writing or the limitations of the actor.

What do you think? Are you happy “Smallville” is returning?

I have no idea who America will eliminate tonight on Fox’s “American Idol.” Four more semifinalists - two boys, two girls - are reaching the end of the road.

But why stop there? After two weeks of live shows, we’ve seen enough, and the Ellen experiment is a bust. I liked her in Hollywood week, but as I noted then, those episodes were edited. They displayed DeGeneres at her best.

In the live judging, she’s painfully rote: “You look great.” “I’m so happy you’re here.” “You belong in this competition.”

She’s a lucid Paula. What fun is that?

On to the semifinalists: Our local contestant Siobhan Magnus does seem safe. It seems more likely she’ll be the first Bay Stater to crack the Top 12. But what is Simon Cowell’s problem? He keeps making these cracks about what an odd little thing Siobhan is. No, no, she’s not. She’s a talented 19-year-old with some surprising vocal prowess. I wasn’t crazy about her take of Aretha Franklin’s “Think,” but the girl can work a note like nobody else.

As for the other contestants, I don’t think they should stop at sending four home - how about eight? This has to be the weakest group of semifinalists “American Idol” has ever fronted in its history. What do you think? Who’s your pick to go all the way?

I recognize most of the names announced for the new cast of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” When’s the last time that happened?

Among the 11 working the floor, there’s ex-”Baywatch” babe Pamela Anderson, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, “90210″ veteran Shannen Doherty (who had once said she would never do this show), Olympic skating champion Evan Lysacek, “Clean House” host Niecy Nash, soap actor Aiden Turner and famous babymaker Kate Gosselin. ABC also tossed in its recent “Bachelor” Jake Pavelka because apparently it believes we can’t get enough of this doofus. Rounding out the cast are ESPN reporter Erin Andrews, NFL star Chad Ochocinco and Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger.

I predict either Gosselin or Turner will be the first to go. Although I like Turner, most of prime time has no idea who he is. The Aussie actor got a really bad deal from “All My Children,” and I hope he can use the exposure here to get some real work. Gosselin of TLC’s “Kate Plus Hate” fame is just too polarizing a figure.

If previous seasons are any indication, Lysacek has an edge. Athletes are able to find the discipline and already possess the muscle control to master most of the dances. But you have to root for Aldrin because he’s Buzz Aldrin, people! That’s all the reason we need.

Best of all: Not a single Osmond in the bunch.

The new season launches March 22. Who are you rooting for?

Yeah, I’m just gonna beg.

TNT’s “Southland” returns for a second season tonight at 10. It’s a great, gritty, cop drama, and it needs an audience. You can read my full review here. If you like good TV - and I know you do - please give it a chance. Tonight’s episode is good. Next week’s is even better. TNT doesn’t have the budget of NBC, so it can’t hype the heck out of it as NBC is doing with the vastly inferior Ron Howard family dramedy “Parenthood” (which debuts opposite it).

There are so few shows on the prime-time landscape truly worthy of your time, and this is one of them. There are moments when you feel as if you are actually eavesdropping on real people. Give it a try. Let me know if you agree.

Boston Herald TV writer Amy Amatangelo gave birth Friday morning at 5:43 a.m. to a beautiful baby girl.

Amy and husband Larry Shay are now the proud parents of Molly Frances Shay, who came into this world weighing 5 lbs 15 oz.

Amy, as Herald readers know, writes the Watch This column for the Sunday edition as well as many of the TV celebrity profiles. Amy expects to be back pounding the beat at some point in April.

Given Amy’s vocation, I suggested the name “Sweeps” for the baby….which might have something to do with why I wasn’t asked to be godfather. Hmm.

Please join me in extending congratulations to this happy, growing family!

Simon Cowell’s warning proved to be prophetic.

Chelsea native and Berklee grad Ashley Rodriguez was eliminated from Fox’s “American Idol” tonight. It was a rough end of the road for a singer who started with such promise. But poor song choice and delivery of Leona Lewis’ “Happy” left everyone sad.

Cowell warned her Tuesday night that her rendition would not win many votes.

Also eliminated tonight: Janell Wheeler, Joe Munoz and Tyler Grady. Grady, the ’70s wannabe rocker, actually took a shot at the judges in his farewell moment with host Ryan Seacrest, saying the quartet hadn’t provided him with much constructive criticism. The camera cut to Cowell, who made a face and mouthed something.

Siobhan Magnus, our other Bay Stater, was actually the first contestant declared safe. She moves on to the Top 20 and will perform next week.

So what do you think? Are the right people going home? I have to admit, I’m surprised John Park, for one, is still in the competition. But he probably won’t last long.

I pegged Chelsea native Ashley Rodriguez as a star right from the beginning. She’s beautiful, confident, upbeat, and oh, yes, she can sing. I thought for certain she would be Boston’s first top 12 finalist on prime-time TV’s No. 1 show.

Today, I’m not so certain. Today, I fear she might be one of the first females sent home in “Idol’s” first live elimination Thursday night.

What happened to Ashley? Her rendition of Leona Lewis’ “Happy” seemed breathy and out of tune. The judges had mixed feelings, but Simon Cowell got the last word in: “You could be in trouble after tonight.”

You could see Ashley struggle with her emotions as Ryan Seacrest returned to the stage. It was not the reception she expected. But it was not the performance she should have delivered.

I hope America is forgiving enough - and bored enough with some of the other contestants - that Ashley will have a chance to stick around and really prove she belongs in the competition.

Our other local Bay Stater, Siobhan Magnus, had an odd choice for a song - Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” - but nonetheless seemed to please the judges. Her chances for sticking around for another week seem much stronger. You can read Bill Burke’s review of the night here. What did you think of the first live show?

Bristol Palin, daughter of ex-Alaska governor Sarah Palin, will make her acting debut on …

 ….wait for it….

“The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” the ABC Family drama about a teenager who gets knocked up and has a baby out of wedlock.

Palin won’t have to work too hard. She’ll be playing herself, as one of Amy’s (Shailene Woodley) friends at a music camp. The episode will film and air later this summer.