Things get meta on this year’s CMT Music Awards (CMT, 8 p.m.) as its host is Charles Esten, who is known for portraying Deacon on a fictional show about country music, “Nashville,” that runs on the network throwing the event.
Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Brett Eldridge and Thomas Rhett are among the performers. Kelsea Ballerini will sing her new single. and there will be a bunch of collaborations, some — Keith Urban and Carrie Urban — making more sense than others: Lady Antebellum with Earth, Wind & Fire? The Chainsmokers with Florida Georgia Line? Luke Bryan with Jason Derulo? Peter Frampton and the Brothers Osbourne?
Ballerini, Urban and Rhett are tied for the most nominations with four each; Underwood has three.
And there will be a salute to Gregg Allman from Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker and Charles Kelley.
It’s Golden State at Cleveland (ABC, 9 p.m.) for game three of the NBA Finals. Before hand “Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Noght” (ABC, 8 p.m.) hosts Will Ferrell.
A second season starts for Ali Wentworth’s series about behind the scenes of a talk show. The reason you may not have seen “Nightcap” (Pop, 8 and 8:30 p.m.) is because they show two episodes at a time and before you know it the season is over. Julianna Marguiles and Alec Baldwin are guests.
Half of tonight’s “Fargo” (FX, 10 p.m.) is about Nikki’s struggle to survive; the other a deterioration of Emmit.
The current state of civil discourse is a topic on “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.).
“Then and Now with Andy Cohen” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) looks back at the year 1981, full of Reagans and “Dynasty.”
Marla Gibbs guest stars on “The Carmichael Show” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
Contestants see who make the Top 20 on “MasterChef” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
If David Ross, Teri Polo and Howie Dorough wanted their kids to win “Big Star Little Star” (USA, 9 p.m.) they would have named their kids Reality Winners.
“The F Word with Gordon Ramsay” (Fox, 9 p.m.) may also stand for failure.
The gullible on “Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry” (E!, 8 p.m. includes Janice Dickinson and Marlee Matlin.
A 10-year-old motivational speaker is on “Little Big Shots” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
On “The Real Housewives of New York City” (Bravo, 9 p.m.), Bethenny and Ramona bicker in the Berkshires.
Billy Bob Thornton is guest programmer on Turner Classic Movies tonight. HIs choices: “The Man with the Golden Arm” (8 p.m.), “Giant” (10:15 p.m.) and “Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid” (2 a.m.).
Baseball includes Toronto at Oakland (MLB, 3:30 p.m.) and Boston at Yankees (MLB, 7 p.m.).
The French Open (Tennis, 8 a.m.) reaches quarterfinals.
In soccer, it’s Spain vs. Colombia (ESPN2, 3:35 p.m.) in a men’s international friendly.
NCAA Division 1 Track and Field (ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.; ESPN2, 8:30 p.m.) is held from Eugene, Ore.
Daytime Talk
Kelly and Ryan: Salma Hayek, Riley Keogh. The View: Kevin Hart. The Talk: Felicity Huffman. Harry Connick: Tim Gunn, Tregaye Fraser, Fat Joe & Remy Ma (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Mark Wahlberg, Judd Apatow, Daniel Fernandez. Wendy Williams: Star Jones, Michael Russo. The Real: Kym Whitley.
Late Night Talk
Stephen Colbert: Tilda Swinton, Andy Cohen, Jordan Klepper. Jimmy Kimmel: Michael Keaton, Anthony Davis, charlie Wilson with Robin Thicke. Jimmy Fallon: Norm MacDonald, Chelsea Clinton, Robin Irwin, Rae Sremmurd. Seth Meyers: Alan Alda, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Desus & Mero, Jared Champion. James Corden: Tom Cruise, Jennifer Hudson, Russell Brand, Anthony Joshua, Kings of Leon. Trevor Noah: Sebastian Junger, Nick Quested. Conan O’Brien: Nick Offerman, Annabelle Wallis, Mark Normand.