Here’s an awards show that stands out from the rest, on its hind legs.
On the first ever American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards (Hallmark, 8 p.m.), eight canines from across the country will be feted in caegories from rescue dogs and hearing dogs to search dogs and law enforcement. And because it’s Veteran’s Day, there is an award too for military dogs.
Among the human judges and presenters will be Betty White, Peter Fonda, Faith Ford, Pauley Perrett (right), Michael Vartan and Candy Spelling, among others. Carson Kressley hosts the event, held at the Beverly Hilton in California last month.
Elsewhere, Sarah Hyland, who plays the oldest teen on “Modern Family,” stars in the TV movie “Geek Charming” (Disney, 8 p.m.) as a snobby society girl who alings with a film geek.
It’s not just Nigel Tufnel Day (11-11-11!) it’s also National Metal Day at least on the sister station of the cable network once dedicated to music. Its daylong of headbanging concludes with “Metal Evolution Day” (VH1 Classic, 10 p.m.) the first of an 11-part look at heavy metal, which is already up for criticism since it begins with Led Zeppelin (Not Black Sabbath? Not Blue Cheer?).
And where is “This is Spinal Tap” on this august occasion?
In other music milestones “The Last Play at Shea” (Showtime, 9:30 p.m.) chronicles the final concert in the old home of the Mets by Billy Joel, in a decidedly New York State of Mind. Alec Baldwin, another homebly, narrates. It follows their other recent music documentary, “From the Sky Down” (Showtime, 8 p.m.), about the making of U2’s “Achtung, Baby” 20 years ago.
Erin’s informant is murdered on “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
A compendium of shows that benefited veterans show on “Extreme Makeover_ Home Edition” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
“Green Lantern: The Animated Series” (Cartoon Network, 7 p.m.) ignites.
“Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.) reaches a season finale, just as the political season gets more and more weird. Guests include Reps. Barney Frank and Keith Ellison, Chris Matthews, Andrew Sullivan and Common.
Herman Cain’s appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC, 12:05 a.m.) on Monday gets a rare same-week repeat. But it was pretty good.
James Garner is the star tonight on Turner Classic Movies, with “Up Periscope” (8 p.m.), “The Americanization of Emily” (10 p.m.) and “Marlowe” (midnight).
“Apocalypse Now Redux” (AMC, 5:30 p.m.) is the expanded version of the Francis Ford Coppola classic that was first issued a decade ago.
In college football, it’s South Florida at Syracuse (ESPN2, 8 p.m.); in college basketball, North Carolina vs. Michigan State (ESPN, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Regis and Kelly: Adam Sandler. The View: Tom Selleck, David Crosby & Graham Nash. The Talk: Iris Krasnow. Ellen DeGeneres: Katy Perry. Wendy Williams: Debbie Allen. Rosie O’Donnell: Molly Shannon.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Steve Martin, Felicity Jones. Jay Leno: Kermit the Frog, Ricki Lake, Nicole Scherzinger. Jimmy Kimmel: Taylor Lautner, Herman Cain, Junip (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Adam Sandler, Beyonce, Johnny Gill. Craig Ferguson: Drew Carey, Linda Cunningham, Louie Anderson. Tavis Smiley: Yo-Yo Ma. Carson Daly: Diablo Cody, Danfung Dennis, Thievery Corporation. Chelsea Handler: Miranda Cosgrove, Ben Gleib, Loni Love, Greg Fitzsimmons (rerun).