Best bet on broadcast: NBC, “Who Do You Think You Are?,” 8 p.m. Series premiere. Celebrities, beginning tonight with actress Sarah Jessica Parker, look at their family histories.
Best bet on cable: HBO, “Real Time with Bill Maher,” 10 p.m. Michael Moore and Sean Penn both guest. Along with Maher, they may be the three most liberal men in America.
Top sporting event: ESPN, “NBA Basketball,” 8 p.m. The struggling Detroit Pistons take on LeBron and the Cavs in Cleveland.
SATURDAY
Best bet on broadcast: Fox, “America’s Most Wanted,” 9 p.m. President Barack Obama is interviewed in the series’ 1,000th episode.
Best bet on cable: Hallmark Channel, “Uncorked,” 9 p.m. Love story involving a woman with time on her hands while on a business trip to California’s wine region.
Top sporting event: HBO, “Boxing,” 9:30 p.m. A light-welterweight title fight between Juan Urango and Devon Alexander.
***image2***SUNDAY
Best bet on broadcast: ABC, “Academy Awards,” 8:30 p.m. After all the hype the 82nd annual event is here, with hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin leading the way.
Best bet on cable: History, “Ax Men,” 10 p.m. The camera crew that accompanies Shelby gets lost in a swamp at night.
Top sporting event: ABC, “NBA Basketball,” 2:30 p.m. A 2009 finals rematch between the Lakers and Magic.
A look at this week’s top TV draws
FRIDAY, MARCH 5
Time
Network
Program
Description
8 p.m.
CBS
“Ghost Whisperer” (D)
A ghost tells Melinda about a dump that’s housing unexploded bombs.
8 p.m.
Disney Channel
“Suite Life on Deck” (C)
Zack, Cody and London all dream that they’re in fairy tales.
8 p.m.
Nickelodeon
“iCarly” (C)
A billionaire wants to help Carly and Co. put on the first live internet show from space.
9 p.m.
CBS
“Medium” (D)
Allison takes self defense classes after she’s mugged.
9 p.m.
HBO
“The Ricky Gervais Show” (C)
Among the topics discussed are personal mottos and superpowers.
10 p.m.
CBS
“Numb3rs” (D)
Charlie and Amita’s wedding plans could be on hold after they’re offered a new job. Bit of foreshadowing there, as this show is not expected to be renewed.
SATURDAY, MARCH 6
Time
Network
Program
Description
3 p.m.
NBC
‘PGA Golf” (S)
Third round of the Honda Classic from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
8 p.m.
Fox
“Cops” (R)
Cops in San Diego catch a mother-son pair who stole a cake.
8 p.m.
National Geographic Channel
“Dangerous Encounters” (N)
A look at potentially dangerous animals that live in the American West.
9 p.m.
ESPN
“College Basketball” (S)
North Carolina and Duke renew their rivalry in men’s basketball.
9 p.m.
Hallmark Channel
“Uncorked” (M)
A workaholic suddenly has time on her hands while in California’s wine region.
11:30 p.m.
NBC
“Saturday Night Live” (S)
Zach Galifianakis guests and Vampire Weekend performs.
SUNDAY, MARCH 7
Time
Network
Program
Description
Noon
CBS
“College Basketball” (S)
A good SEC matchup between Florida and Kentucky.
Noon
Fox
“NASCAR Racing” (S)
A Sprint Cup race in Atlanta.
6 p.m.
E!
“Live From the Red Carpet” (A)
Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic interview celebs before the Academy Awards.
8:30 p.m.
ABC
“Academy Awards” (A)
Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin team up to host the 82nd annual event.
9 p.m.
HBO
“Big Love” (D)
Season finale. Tension builds as election day approaches.
10 p.m.
CBS
“Cold Case” (D)
The 1986 case of a murdered dock worker/pro wrestler is reopened.
A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.
