News flash: The WB network may finally have a hit reality show on its hands. And it only took a Fox star with an MTV pedigree to make it happen. Producer Ashton Kutcher (“That ’70s Show,” “Punk’d”) brings his combination of impish charm and thinly veiled sadism to “Beauty and the Geek” (7 p.m., WB), a surprising social experiment disguised as a reality show that trades in obvious cliches and cruelty, but that is never afraid to show a little heart.

“Beauty” features seven socially maladjusted geniuses and seven shallow and badly educated sorority types. Paired off early in tonight’s show, they are dependent on each other as they compete in alternating challenges that test mental ability and dating skills. The last couple standing walks away with $250,000. And along the way, the dorky guys get to loosen up and the gals learn that looks aren’t everything.

¢ If reality shows were subject to truth-in-packaging laws, ABC might be busted for consumer fraud. After all, a show called “Dancing with the Stars” (8 p.m., ABC) implies that we’re going to see stars dancing. But the cast list reads like a virtual who’s who of has-beens: Trista Sutter (“The Bachelorette”), Rachel Hunter (“The Real Gilligan’s Island”), Evander Holyfield, Joey McIntyre (now an Old Kid on the Block), John O’Hurley (“Seinfeld”) and Kelly Monaco (“General Hospital”).

The “stars” are teamed up with professional dancers to train and compete in front of a live studio audience. I guess Tonya Harding and Danny Bonaduce had prior engagements.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (7 p.m., CBS): a wounded GI; a profile of songwriter Billy Joe Shaver.

¢ “American Masters” (7 p.m., PBS) repeats a 1999 profile of Ella Fitzgerald.

¢ A corpse in a Hefty bag leads to questions on “CSI: NY” (9 p.m., CBS).

¢ A publicity stunt goes dangerously awry on “Law & Order” (9 p.m., NBC).

¢ Strangers stranded on an island on the pilot episode of “Lost” (9 p.m., ABC).

¢ “Sports Kids Moms & Dads” (9 p.m., Bravo) looks at parents who sacrifice everything for their would-be stars.