Once the classiest award show on television, where for once the fine arts got a prime time showcase (albeit during holiday week), “The Kennedy Center Honors” (CBS, 9 p.m.) now only pays lip service for classical entries (such as this year’s choice, Argentinian pianist Martha Argerich).
Instead there are more guaranteed crowd pleasers such as The Eagles, James Taylor, Mavis Staples and Al Pacino. What does it say when Joe Walsh garners such a storied award? Can Sammy Hagar be far behind?
Oh, there will still be some good performances, from Bnnie Raitt, Andra Day, Itzhak Perlman, Kings of Leon, Bob Seger and Vince Gill. And host Stephen Colbert will do his best to liven things up. But it may be more significant for being one of the final big televised events President Obama will attend.
How about giving an architect a Kennedy Honor? A case is made for Finnish whiz Eero Saarinen on a new “American Masters” (PBS, 8 p.m.). He’s the one behind such beloved modernistic structures as the St. Louis arch, the TWA terminal at LaGuardia, and Dulles Airport. That the film uses his son as a cinematographer requires him to come to terms with his distant dad’s legacy.
If we can’t help refugees, at least we can access their camera phone videos and try to imagine what their experiences are like. It happens on a two hour episode of “Frontline” (PBS, 9 p.m.) titled “Exodus.”
CNN looks at the year and notes “All the Best, All the Worst 2016” (CNN, 9 p.m.) in just an hour. The worst alone wouldn’t even fit into that time period. And a pity that this one happened in 2014, or it would take the entire hour: “Malaysia 370: The Plane That Vanished” (Smithsonian, 9 p.m.).
The one hour game show premiere “The Wall” (The CW, 8 p.m.) gets a repeat.
Letty switches roles with her mother on “Good Behavior” (TNT, 9 p.m.).
Erika has a wardrobe malfunction on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
A former event organizer dishes on the latest edition of “Leah Remini: Scientology and The Aftermath” (A&E, 10 p.m.).
Amy goes on a date on “Little People, Big World” (TLC, 8 p.m.).
Texting while driving is one example of “The Day I Almost Died” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.).
Life changes test Julie on “Ladies of London” (Bravo, 10 p.m.).
A two hour first season finale of “Married at First Sight” (FYI, 8 p.m.) has couples trying to decide whether to stay together.
A heavy drinker on “Intervention” (A&E, 9 p.m.) is also transgender, she announces.
It’s the first Halloween for the quints on “Outdaughtered” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
“Killing Fields” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) reviews season one.
In the new made-for-TV movie “Evil Nanny” (Lifetime Movie Channel, 8 p.m.), well, it’s pretty self-explanatory.
A new dancer causes a ripple on “Dance Moms” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) while a challenge lands someone in the hospital on “Last Squad Standing” )oxygen, 9 p.m.).
Xavier tries to fix things up with his father on “No Tomorrow” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
“Kate Plus 8” (TLC, 10 p.m.) hits the Alabama beaches.
Problems of going green are discussed on “Adam Ruins Everything” (truTV, 10 p.m.).
Bob Lee goes cross country to find the “Shooter” (USA, 10 p.m.).
Considering the warming that’s going on now, the Arctic series “Life Below Zero” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.) must have been filmed some time ago.
“Hunting Hitler” (History, 10 p.m.) travels to Chile and Paraguay.
Admire the early work of Emma Stone in “Easy A” (Oxygen, 10 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies’ 19-film Tuesday night spotlight on aging this month conclude with “Arsenic and Old Lace” (8 p.m.), “Grey Gardens” (10:15 p.m.), “The Whales of August” (12:15 a.m.), “Travels with My Aunt” (2:15 a.m.) and “Bunny O’Hare” (4:15 a.m.).
Today’s bowl bakes have Army vs. North Texas (ESPN, noon) in the Heart of Dallas Bowl, Temple vs. Wake Forest (ESPN, 3:30 p.m.) in the Military bowl, Minnesota vs. Washington State (ESPN, 7 p.m.) in the Holiday Bowl and Boise State vs. Baylor (ESPN, 10:15 p.m.) in the Cactus Bowl.
men’s college basketball includes Northwestern at Penn State (ESPN2, 3 p.m.), Illinois at Maryland (ESPN2, 5 p.m.), Rutgers at Wisconsin (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) and Michigan State at Minnesota (ESPN2, 9 p.m.).
Pro games include Oklahoma City at Miami (NBA, 7:30 p.m.) and Utah at Lakers (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Dennis Quaid, Sterling K. Brown, Ryan Seacrest (rerun). The View: Queen Latifah, Andy Cohen (rerun). The Talk: LL Cool J (rerun). Harry Connick: Whoopi Goldberg, Jessie Graff, John Cena, the Bella Twins, Savannah Guthrie. Ellen DeGeneres: Justin Timberlake, Gabrielle Union, Leonardo DiCaprio (rerun). Wendy Williams: Lloyd Boston, Julie Alexandria (rerun). The Real: Cheryl Hines (rerun).
Late Talk
All reruns: Stephen Colbert: Olivia Munn, Martin Freeman, Tom Papa. Jimmy Kimmel: Dwayne Johnson, Billy Eichner, Dawes. Jimmy Fallon: Chris Pratt, Katie Holmes, John Mayer. Seth Meyers: Sen. Bernie Sanders, Zoey Deutch, Dan Levy, Dave Lombardo. James Corden: Dakota Fanning, John Stamos, Shaquille O’Neal. Carson Daly: Tom Ellis, Getter, Ezra Furman. Tavis Smiley: Cyndi Lauper.