As good as a lot of it has been, “The Affair” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) has probably lasted longer than its creators ever imagined. So the third season, beginning tonight, zooms far into the future. After the murder trial that lingered over two seasons, and past the three year prison sentence Dominic West’s Noah served for it. By now, the cad is trying to recover to life on the outside, and is teaching part time at Princeton.
His father has died, his kids hate him. He’s estranged from both his own wife, played by Maura Tierney, and the former waitress he wrecked his marriage to be with, Ruth Wilson.
And he’s still not much of a likable character. But there’s a sultry fellow teacher, played by Irene Jacob, who takes an interest in him. Each episode now is apparently from a single point of view (instead of being split); the first is Noah’s tonight, but it will include perspectives in addition to Alison, Helen and Cole, Jacob’s character Juliette. The season premiere slowly builds and includes a lengthy and timely discussion of what constitutes sexual assault.
Also returning for its third season: “The Librarians” (TNT, 8 p.m.), with Noah Wyle and Rebecca Romijn.
Elsewhere, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Fifth Harmony, Green Day, Sting, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Maroon 5 and Kendrick Lamar are among the performers in the three-hour 2016 American Music Awards (ABC, 8 p.m.) live tonight from the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles. Jay Pharoah and Gigi Hadid host. Drake leads with 13 nominations, Rihanna has seven; Adele and Justin Bieber, five. As if awards are the big reason for the spectacle.
There will be two hours of “Live from the Red Carpet: The 2016 American Music Awards” (E!, 6 p.m.) hosted by Tinashe and Jason Kennedy.
Sunday Night Football has Green Bay at Washington (NBC, 8:30 p.m.). Earlier games include Baltimore at Dallas (CBS, 1 p.m.), Chicago at Giants (Fox, 1 p.m.) and Philadelphia at Seattle (CBS, 4:25 p.m.).
“The Durrells in Corfu” (PBS, 8 p.m.) reaches its first season finale and “Indian Summers” (Masterpiece, 10 p.m.) riches its series finale.
When there’s as big twist as there was last week on “Westworld” (HBO, 9 p.m.), you begin to wonder if it was built into the narrative from the beginning or just thrown out now to let the pieces fall where they may.
On a new “Insecure” (HBO, 10:30 p.m.), Issa loses focus.
The group on “The Walking Dead” (AMC, 9 p.m.) seek safety at the Hilltop.
It’s Thanksgiving on “Bob’s Burgers” (Fox, 8:30 p.m.) and “Alaska: The Last Frontier” (Discovery, 9 p.m.).
Homer gets a new app to help with fathering on “The Simpsons” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Fiona fixes up the laundromat on “Shameless” (Showtime, 9 p.m.).
Lewis finds a new hobby on “The Last Man on Earth” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.).
Holmes and Watson looks for two murderers on “Elementary” (CBS, 10:30 p.m.).
On “Madam Secretary” (CBS, 9:30 p.m.), Will has to decide whether to help earthquake victims or save his marriage.
The team on “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.) discusses Thanksgiving plans.
Ross reaps what he sows on “Poldark” (PBS, 9 p.m.).
On “Divorce” (HBO, 10 p.m.), Robert considers dating.
Rob and Chyna’s baby shower is big enough to land it on the mother show, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” (E!9 p.m.).
Deanna Durbin stars in a Turner Classic Movies double feature of musicals, “Nice Girl?” (8 p.m.) and “I’ll Be Yours” (10 p.m.). “The Better ‘Ole” (TCM midnight) is a silent movie about World War I. Later comes to films by Soviet filmmaker Larisa Sheptiko, “Wings” (2 a.m.) and “The Ascent” (3:30 a.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Duke vs. Rhode Island (ESPN, 1 p.m.), Wisconsin-Milwaukee at DePaul (Fox Sports 1, 1:30 p.m.), Davidson vs. Arizona State (ESPNU, 2:30 p.m.), Penn State vs. Cincinnati (ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.), Clemson vs. Oklahoma (ESPNU, 5 p.m.), St. Joseph’s vs. Mississippi (CBS Sports, 6 p.m.), Wake Forest at College of Charleston (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Xavier vs. Northern Iowa (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.), North Carolina State vs. Creighton (CBS Sports, 8:30 p.m.), Duquesne at Kentucky (ESPNU, 9 p.m.) and Villanova vs. Central Florida (ESPN2, 9:30 p.m.).
Women’s college basketball has Washington at Notre Dame (CBS Sports, 3 p.m.) and Connecticut at LSU (ESPN, 5:30 p.m.).
Hockey includes Calgary at Detroit (NHL, 7:30 p.m.).
ABC: Reice Priebus, Sen. Chuck Schumer. CBS: Mike Pence, Sen Paul Rand, Rep. Keith Ellison. NBC: Priebus, Schumer, Sen. Bernie Sanders. CNN: Priebus, Reps. Tim Ryan, Adam Schiff and Diane Black. Fox News: Pence, Schumer.