Seems like an odd time of the year for awards show, but perhaps in an effort to stand out from the pack, here’s the American Music Awards (ABC, 8 p.m.), one of the most pop oriented of the music events. Hence the nominations for artist of the year are Justin Bieber, Drake, Maroon 5, Katy Perry and Rihanna.Bieber will also perform at the 40th annual event from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, as will Kelly Clarkson, Carly Rae Jepsen, PSY, The Wanted, Swizz Beatz featuring Chris Brown and Ludacris, Christina Aguilera, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Ke$ha, Nicki Minaj (pictured here with Rihanna), No Doubt, Linkin Park, Pink, Pitbull and Usher.
I wish Charles Dickens would come back and sue the hacks who routinely rip off his seasonal work for bad Yuletide movies. Emmanuelle Vaugier plays a corporate chief so odious in “It’s Christmas, Carol” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) it’s hardly believeable when she undergoes her inevitable conversion in the last 20 minutes. Carrie Fisher has a good time playing a variant of Marley’s Ghost while Carson Kressley is pretty bad as one of the opressed employees. Yes, I actually watched this.
One thing we missed when the daytime show ended was “Oprah’s Favorite Things” (OWN, 8 p.m.), now expanded to its own show on her own network. Gayle King returns to help Ms. Winfrey sort through items suitable for holiday giving.
Andrea will have to decide pretty soon whether she’s going to stay with the Governor in his gated community, or go off with her protector Michonne on “The Walking Dead” (AMC, 9 p.m.). I suppose it will depend on how much she gets to know about him (like the zombie daughter he keeps around). It plays opposite “Zombie Apocalypse” (Syfy, 9 p.m.).
The Disney company has completely fumbled the introduction of its latest princess — originally heralded as the company’s first Hispanic princess, the company announced last month that she really isn’t. But still, here she is, with her vaguely Spanish lineage: “Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess” (Disney, 7 p.m.).
Ariel Winter, the middle child on “Modern Family” lends a voice to Sofia; Sara Aamirez of “Grey’s Anatomy” is her mother. And Tim Gunn lends his distinctive voice to the royal steward Baileywick. After tonight’s movie, “Sofia the First” will launch as a Disney channel series next year. But please don’t get it confused with “Sophie’s Choice” (Flix, 8 .m.).
It’s Baltimore at Pittsburgh (NBC, 8:15 p.m.) on Sunday Night Football. earlier NFL games have Philadelphia at Washington (Fox, 1 p.m.) and Indianapolis at New England (CBS, 4:25 p.m.)
When in Moscow, you have to learn to do one of those Russian dances, and so they do on “The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.).
Just what we need: “Dog with a Blog” (Disney, 8 p.m.).
Will Margaret really run away with Owen on “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO, 9 p.m.)? Just three episodes remain.
A new season starts for the illegally polygamous “Sister Wives” (TLC, 9 p.m.), paired with a followup to the recent series, “Breaking Amish: The Shunning Truth” (TLC, 10 p.m.).
On “Homeland” (Showtime, 10 p.m.), being double agent is wearing on Brody.
On “Homeland” (Showtime, 10 p.m.), being double agent is wearing on Brody.
On “Dexter” (Showtime, 9 p.m.), his relationship with Hannah is about to be exposed.
A pilgrim double feature on Turner Classic Movies offers “Plymouth Adventure” (8 p.m.) and “Captain John Smith and Pocahontas” (10 p.m.).
One of the best movies ever, “The Wizard of Oz” (TBS, 8 p.m.), is bookended by the original animated “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (TBS, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m.).
Other premature holiday fare includes “Santa Baby 2” (ABC Family, 6 p.m.), a replay of Saturday’s “Holiday High School Reunion” (Lifetime, 7 p.m.), “Under the Mistletoe” (Lifetime, 7:30 p.m.), “Holiday in Handcuffs” (ABC Family, 8 p.m.), “Holiday Spin” (Lifetime, 9:30 p.m.), “Eve’s Christmas” (10 p.m.) and “The 12 Dates of Christmas” (ABC Family, 10 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Reps. Nancy Pelosi, Peter King and Xavier Becerra, Sen. Carl Levin, Newt Gingrich, Donna Brazile. CBS: Sens. John McCain, Olympia Snowe and Dick Durbin. NBC: Sens. Lindsey Graham and Dianne Feinstein, Reps. Mike Rogers and Raul Labrador, John Podesta, Mike Murphy. CNN: Sens. Durbin and Roy Blunt, Reps. Tom Price and Dutch Ruppersberger. Fox News: Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Joe Lieberman, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
ABC: Reps. Nancy Pelosi, Peter King and Xavier Becerra, Sen. Carl Levin, Newt Gingrich, Donna Brazile. CBS: Sens. John McCain, Olympia Snowe and Dick Durbin. NBC: Sens. Lindsey Graham and Dianne Feinstein, Reps. Mike Rogers and Raul Labrador, John Podesta, Mike Murphy. CNN: Sens. Durbin and Roy Blunt, Reps. Tom Price and Dutch Ruppersberger. Fox News: Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Joe Lieberman, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.