Her past love interests get new lives on other shows

W hat a talented web young Rory weaves on the girl-powered WB show "Gilmore Girls."

Glance at a TV Guide or imdb.com and notice that many of the actors who have played Rory’s beaus over the years have gone on to realize moderate television success on the same network — Jared Padalecki ("Supernatural") and Milo Ventimiglia ("Bedford Diaries") among them.

Some guys simply befriended Rory (Alexis Bledel). Adam Brody can now be seen on Fox’s "The O.C.," and then there’s Chad Michael Murray of "One Tree Hill" fame.

A thousand TV clicks ago, a cute little vampire slayer named Buffy played a similar role, launching heartthrobs’ careers. Recall a young David Boreanaz, who realized a mildly successful spinoff "Angel" on The WB and is now starring in the Fox show "Bones." And don’t forget Jason Behr, who went on to star in The WB’s now defunct "Roswell."

"These kinds of shows are good vehicles for future leading men and women," says Robert Thompson, a pop culture and television professor at Syracuse University.

Ratings and time will tell if Gilmore’s young bucks actually realize bigger and better things than lovelorn Rory and The WB. When the network becomes a part of the CW in the fall, some, if not most, of these dudes could vanish from the TV landscape — at least as far as starring roles go.

No matter their fates and future successes, they will always be Gilmore guys for the 5 million faithful women — and men secure in their masculinity — who have watched every week for six years.

Jared Padalecki, 23

Gilmore character: Dean, Rory’s first boyfriend.

What now: He co-stars on The WB’s ethereally spooky "Supernatural" as a guy named Sam with an older brother named Dean.

What’s next: Perhaps a horror flick or two are in his future. Padalecki starred in "Cry Wolf" and "House of Wax," both in 2005.

Milo Ventimiglia , 28

Gilmore character: Jess, Rory’s second boyfriend and the reason she dumped Dean.

What now: Ventimiglia stars in The WB show "The Bedford Diaries," a risque drama about sexual maturation in college that may or may not return in the fall. Earlier this week, he made an appearance on "GG" and can be seen dying violently in the scary flick "Stay Alive," now in theaters.

What’s next: He’ll play Sylvester Stallone’s son in "Rocky VI," aka "Rocky Balboa," and he shot an NBC pilot called "Heroes." On the latter, he plays a clairvoyant who can’t fly like the other superheroes.

Adam Brody , 26

Gilmore character: Dave Rygalski, Lane’s first boyfriend. Lane is Rory’s best friend.

What now: He plays Seth on "The O.C.," and he had a bit part in "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" last year.

What’s next: Look for Brody later this year in the romantic comedy "In the Land of Women."

Chad Michael Murray , 24

Gilmore character: Tristan, Rory’s high-school-nemesis-turned-admirer.

What now: Murray is Lucas on "One Tree Hill." He gained media attention when he married and later divorced his co-star Sophia Bush, who plays Brooke. Now he’s engaged to a new beauty, an 18-year-old (Kenzie Dalton) who had a small part on the show.

What’s next: He’s filming "Home of the Brave," an action flick also starring Samuel L. Jackson and 50 Cent. It hits theaters in 2007.

Matt Czuchry , 28

Gilmore character: Logan, Rory’s blond college beau at Yale University. At least for now, he’s her man.

What now: He’s Rory’s snobby and accident-prone love interest. He was the voice of Brainiac 5 in an episode of Cartoon Network’s "Justice League Unlimited."

What’s next: He has the lead in a comedy short called "Hooked," which has a limited run in Los Angeles.