The annual rite of near spring known as March Madness already has begun.

We're not talking college hoops.

We're talking about all the television shows that the networks are tossing in the air in the hope that one of them will hit nothing but net profit.

NBC started the ball rolling Tuesday with the latest version of "Parenthood," which hopefully will mature from its overheated pilot.

Now let's take a look at several shows (but not all) that will premiere this month on network or cable TV, or are coming back because we just can't do without them.

"Who Do You Think You Are?" 8 p.m. Friday, WGRZ-TV: Sarah Jessica Parker is the first celebrity to trace her roots enthusiastically on NBC in this Americanized version of a popular British reality series.

"Food Wars," 10 p.m. Tuesday, Travel Channel: "The Battle of the Buffalo Wings: Anchor Bar vs. Duff's" is the first of two episodes on Tuesday of a new taste-test series. Establishments compete for the honor of being the best in cooking celebrated dishes "that define" their area. The "best" chicken wing episode, which features former Buffalo Sabre Rob Ray and Jennifer Starkey, Miss Buffalo Wing 2008, was filmed here a few months ago.

"High Society": 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, WNLO-TV: This CW reality series dealing with socialites appears to have been inspired by all those "Housewives" shows on Bravo.

"Minute to Win It," 7 p.m. Sunday, March 14, WGRZ-TV: Chef Guy Fieri of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" is the host of another NBC reality show. People use household items in 10 increasingly difficult challenges that must be completed in 60 seconds. For example, three golf balls have to be stacked vertically in a minute. I'm guessing even Tiger Woods would have trouble doing that.

"The Celebrity Apprentice": 9 p.m. Sunday, March 14, WGRZ-TV: The use of the word "celebrity" is a bit of a stretch. Darryl Strawberry and Rod Blagojevich are the disgraced stars of a group that also includes three "celebrities" that I've never heard of — (model-wrestler) Maria Kanellis, (Australian chef) Curtis Stone and (fashion model) Selita Ebanks.

"The Pacific," 9 p.m. Sunday, March 14, HBO: This 10-part miniseries is produced by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman. If it is half as good as "Band of Brothers," it will be must-see TV.

"Sons of Tucson," 9:30 p.m. Sunday, March 14, WUTV: Tyler Labine ("Reaper") plays a schemer who is convinced by three brothers to pretend to be their father in this Fox comedy.

"Justified," 10 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, FX: Timothy Olyphant ("Deadwood," "Damages"), stars as a gun-slinging U.S. marshal in a drama created by Graham Yost ("Boomtown"), based on a character created by crime novelist Elmore Leonard. It is set in Kentucky.

"Ugly Americans," 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, Comedy Central: An animated series from a writer of "The Simpsons" about a social worker in New York City who weans vampires off blood, and has a zombie roommate and a demon girlfriend.

"Flashforward," 8 p.m. Thursday, March 18, Channel 7: The fall series about why the world stopped for a few minutes returns with a two-hour episode after a repeat airs at 10 p.m. on March 16. The two-hour episode also is repeated Saturday, March 20.

"Breaking Bad," 10 p.m. Sunday, March 21, AMC: The third season of the adventures of chemistry teacher, drug dealer and family man Walt White (Emmy-nominated Bryan Cranston).

"Kirstie Alley's Big Life," 10 p.m. Sunday, March 21, A&E: If you've been to a movie lately, you've undoubtedly seen the promos for this reality show, in which the former "Cheers" star deals with her two "normal" teenagers and her weight issues. Again. You may recall she also starred in a short-lived Showtime series, "Fat Actress."

"Dancing with the Stars," 8 p.m. March 22, Channel 7: Buzz Aldrin, Erin Andrews, Shannen Doherty, Chad Ochocinco, Pamela Anderson, Kate Gosselin and gold medal skater Evan Lysacek are among the 11 celebrities trying to dance into our hearts this time around. If Doherty makes it past two weeks in this popularity contest, it will be a shocker.

"Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution," 9 p.m. Friday, March 26, Channel 7: The British chef travels to Huntington, W.V. — one of the unhealthiest places in America — to try and improve local eating habits. Sounds like Buffalo should be next on the menu.

"Saving Grace": 10 p.m. Monday, March 29:, TNT: The final batch of episodes featuring Holly Hunter as the tough Oklahoma City policewoman. It reportedly is ending because of poor DVD and overseas sales.

"V," 10 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, Channel 7: The visiting aliens are back after a successful fall run.

"Miami Medical," 10 p.m. Friday, April 2, Channel 7: Jeremy Northam and Lana Parilla star in another CBS series about doctors. This time, they are surgeons at a top trauma hospital in a Jerry Bruckheimer production. Hopefully, it will make you forget all about "Three Rivers" — if you haven't already.

Pam has her baby

Interest in NBC's "The Office" around here dramatically increased after a pregnant Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Jim (John Krasinski) were married in Niagara Falls. The two-part episode in which Pam has her baby airs tonight at 9.

It is loaded with stereotypical birth moments — wife gets freaked out, husband gets nervous and co-workers behave more childishly than usual. It is saved by Krasinski's illustration of calmness as Jim in the face of Pam's irritated behavior. Jim also has to deal with his jealously when Pam receives a surprising offer to help her understand how to breast-feed the baby.

The romantic sub-plots involving several secondary characters are as ridiculous and over-the-top as usual. They give the episode a bloated feel that makes it obvious a regular half-hour episode would have worked better. Rating: 2 and a half stars

apergament@buffnews.com