TV's March madness; The final four...and one more It's a slam dunk. Our TV critic picks the winners in this unusually loaded month

Because NBC spent most of February presenting the Winter Games, the other TV networks held off showing most of their new programs or specials until March. Now they - and we - are living in a late-winter wonderland. In fact, there are so many worthy choices coming up, viewers may find themselves having to pick a winner - not unlike that college basketball tournament that traditionally swings into action in March. Here are what look to be the best of the month. ROUGHING IT Mark Twain's Western travels are re-created in this charming adventure recalled by an old Sam Clemens (James Garner). 7 p.m. March 16, Hallmark (4 hours; repeats 3 p.m. March 17) THE SHIELD Michael Chiklis ("The Commish") plays a corrupt cop who always gets his man. Somehow this raw and rugged show gets you to pull for him. 9 p.m. Tuesdays beginning March 12, FX HBO SIX FEET UNDER The ongoing story of love and death at a family-run funeral home returns for what should be a second terrific season. 8 p.m. Sundays beginning this weekend, Peter Krause and Rachel Griffiths star in the HBO series. THE WAYNE BRADY SHOW Old-fashioned variety sketch series returns with a song in its heart. KC native Brooke Dillman (with Brady)co-stars, more Carol Burnett-like than ever. 7:30 p.m. Mondays beginning next week, ABC MONICA IN BLACK AND WHITE Surprisingly sympathetic and absorbing Q&A between Monica Lewinsky and mostly friendly audience. 9 p.m. this Sunday, HBO THE SWEET 16 "State of Grace " 7 p.m. Fridays beginning 3/1, ABC Family Return of the warm-hearted show about two girls from different backgrounds living in 1965. "Crossed Over" 8 p.m. Sunday 3/3 on CBS Touchy-feely movie about a pickax murderer? Jennifer Jason Leigh plays Karla Faye Tucker, whom Texas famously executed in 1999; Diane Keaton plays a bereaving mom touched by the death-row inmate. "Biography: 15 Years and Counting" 7 p.m. Monday 3/4, A&E The series that defined cheap cable documentaries looks back on some of its most memorable celebrity bios. "The Osbournes" 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning 3/5, MTV Rocker Ozzy, his foul-mouthed wife and kids let MTV cameras follow them around in what may be the ultimate reality show. "The Laramie Project" 7 p.m. Saturday 3/9, HBO Based on Moises Kaufman's play about the killing of Matthew Shepard, this unconventional movie depicts a clash of perspectives among residents of the Wyoming town where he died. (Check this Sunday's Arts section for a story on the TV movie.) "A Season on the Brink" 7 p.m. Sunday 3/10, ESPN Author John Feinstein doesn't agree, but I thought this adaptation of his 1987 book about coach Bob Knight was balanced and entertaining. Brian Dennehy is great as the volatile Knight. "9/11" 8 p.m. Sunday 3/10, CBS Robert De Niro introduces this never-before-seen film shot at the World Trade Center during the Sept. 11 attacks. Exploitation or public service? CBS hopes you'll tune in and decide for yourself. "American Embassy" 8 p.m. Mondays beginning 3/11, Fox Despite the "West Wing" packaging, this dramedy about life and love at the U.S. Embassy in London seems closer to "Ally McBeal," the show it's temporarily shoving aside. "Amazing Race 2" 9 p.m. Mondays beginning 3/11, CBS (episodes re-air on UPN) The first version of this round-the-world treasure hunt had its moments, but contestants were poor sports. Let's hope this batch does America prouder. "The Execution of Wanda Jean" 9 p.m. Sunday 3/17, HBO Chilling documentary about a black woman put to death in Oklahoma despite questions about her mental capacity. "Snow White" 6 p.m. Sunday 3/17, ABC Hallmark Entertainment's special effects-filled update of the Grimms' classic tale is gorgeous to behold but a little creepy and perhaps hard for young viewers to follow. "Andy Richter Controls the Universe" 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning 3/19, Fox Conan O'Brien's former sideman plays a dead-end office drone with a lively imagination in this clever fantasy-laden comedy. "Startup.Com" 8 p.m. Friday 3/22, Sundance Intimate documentary chronicles two chums who dream of making millions on a dot-com idea - and what happens when they don't. "74th Academy Awards" 7:30 p.m. Sunday 3/24, ABC With Whoopi Goldberg as host, suspense will run high as viewers wait to see who wins this wide-open Oscar race - and whether Good Whoopi or Bad Whoopi will show up. "Taxicab Confessions" 9 p.m. Sunday 3/24, HBO Back to (where else?) Las Vegas as the most voyeuristic show on TV takes viewers for rides with strippers, a frank-talking gay man and others. "Greg the Bunny" 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays beginning 3/27, Fox This outta-left-field comedy believes that behind every successful kids' TV show you'll find an unhappy bunch of puppets. To reach Aaron Barnhart, phone (816) 234-4790 or visit the TV Barn Web site at www.tvbarn.com. And the other contenders are Tonight: "Leap of Faith" on NBC (see capsule) and the premiere of "Survivor IV: Marquesas" on CBS. Sunday: "Jeremiah," a sci-fi series with Luke Perry and former Cosby kid Malcolm-Jamal Warner, begins on Showtime while the Travel Channel kicks off a week of specials about sun, sand and surf called "Beach Week." Monday: "Dora the Explorer" goes prime time for Nickelodeon, and "Being," a new documenatary series on being a rock star, starts on VH1. Tuesday: "As If" and "The Random Years" join the UPN lineup. March 9: "Joe and Max," the story of Joe Louis and Max Schmeling on Starz. March 10: "Firestarter: Rekindled" miniseries on the Sci-Fi Channel; America Undercover on HBO looks at "Gladiator Days" and "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister" is a new twist on Cinderella on ABC. March 13: "Guilt by Association" with Mercedes Ruehl has the distinction of being the first original movie on Court TV. March 16: NBC turns out its "The Matthew Shepard Story." March 17: "The Believer," a past grand jury winner at the Sundance Film Festival, has its premiere on Showtime; A&E looks at "New York at the Movies." March 22: The new Nick Jr. toon "Chalkzone" starts. March 26: "Redeemer" with Matthew Modine starts on USA. March 29: A different kind of reality show on CBS as real pilots compete for aerial superiority in "AFP: American Fighter Pilot." It was taped before Sept. 11. Newer cable channels On Time Warner Cable, ABC Family is seen on Channel 48, FX on Channel 62, Hallmark on Channel 61 and Sundance on Channel 265. For those of you who can't recall ever watching UPN, it's Channel 7. Comcast customers should check their lineup cards as channel assignments vary depending on location. @ART CAPTION:Tattie McKee (Faye Grant) will continue to work on her relationship with her daughter (Mae Whitman) on the new season of "State of Grace." @ART CREDIT:ABC Family @ART CAPTION:Roughing It; The Shield; Six Feet Under; The Wayne Brady Show; Monica in Black and White @ART:Photos (6, color and b/w)