Perhaps a commentary on contemporary music as well, what was once a pop cultural touchstone is now, in its 35th iteration, a bypassing footnote. The 2018 MTV Video Music Awards (MTV, VH1, CMT, BET, Comedy Central, TV Land, 9 p.m.), returns to New York City’s Radio City Music Hall for the first time since 2009, with performances by Ariana Grande, Cardi B, Shawn Mendes, Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott, Post Malone, Logic with Ryan Tedder. They are going without a host this year.
Cardi B is up for most nominations, with 10; the Carters, Jay-Z and Beyonce, are close behind with eight. Childish Gambino and Drake are each up for seven. Jennifer Lopez will win the Vanguard Award.
The MTV VMA Pre-Show (MTV 8 p.m.) has performances from Bazzi, Bryce Vine and the Backstreet Boys, making their first appearance in 20 years.
For an older generation, a much bigger musical event tonight is the prime time debut of James Corden’s expanded and much-loved Carpool Karaoke with Paul McCartney. First airing on his late, late show after midnight in late June, the exchange, crooning with and visiting locations in his life in Liverpool, has since garnered 30 million views on YouTube.
Now the terrific 23-minute segment, in which he visits his childhood home and Beatles landmarks (Penny Lane!) and ends with an all out Beatles revival in a favorite local pubs (with patrons who can’t quite believe their luck), has been expanded another 20 minutes to fill out a full hour special, “Carpool Karaoke: When Corden Met McCartney Live from Liverpool” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
On the series “Mystery Road” (Acorn, streaming), Judy Davis dons a cowboy hat and goes looking for a couple of lost young men in the Australian outback.
The third and final season of the espionage drama “X-Company” (Ovation, 10 p.m.) begins with a showdown between Duncan and Franz.
Kim contemplates her future on “Better Call Saul” (AMC, 9 p.m.).
The influx of newcomers causes predictable angst on “Bachelor in Paradise” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Liz and Dud plan a memorial for their father on “Lodge 49” (AMC, 10 p.m.).
A new series about a family of little people on an Arizona farm is naturally called “Little Life on the Prairie” (TLC, 10 p.m.).
The Top 8 perform on “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
“American Ninja Warrior” (NBC, 8 p.m.) has city finals in Minneapolis.
The civilization of the ancient Maya is explored on “Sacred Sights” (Smithsonian, 8 p.m.).
“The Planets” (Science, 10 p.m.) revolves around the sun.
Liam reconnects with Jillian on “Salvation” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
On “Reality Cupcakes” (Food, 10 p.m.), Hot wing and macaroni and cheese cupcakes sound terrible.
A zoologist is murdered on “Elementary” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
On “Escaping Polygamy” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.), an FLDS rebel reaches out to help two women leave.
A shady art dealer sells fake works of abstract expressionism on “American Greed” (CNBC, 10 p.m.).
“Pamela Smart: An American Murder Mystery” (Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.) concludes.
A guy who already picked a woman on “The Proposal” (ABC, 10 p.m.) returns to the show after his first pick didn’t work out. What, he didn’t learn everything there is to know about a woman in 15 minutes?
“Swim Team,” the documentary about three young athletes with autism, is rerun on “POV” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
Vicki embarrasses her son on “The Real Housewives of Orange County” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
Rudy Giuliani should be a guest on “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” (CW, 8 p.m.).
“Kids Baking Championship” (Food, 9 p.m.) makes ice cream sandwiches with doughnuts.
Chaos breaks out at Donatella’s showcase on “Love & Hip Hop Hollywood” (VH1, 8 p.m.).
“Ghost Adventures” (Travel, 9 p.m.) goes to Texas.
Jeff Davis is guest on a new “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” (CW, 9 p.m.).
Stewart Granger is featured all day on Turner Classic Movies with “Captain Boycott” (6 a.m.), “Adam and Evelyne” (8 a.m.), “Soldiers Three” (10 a.m.), “The Last Hunt” (noon), “All the Brothers Were Valiant” (2 p.m.), “The Wild North” (4 p.m.), “Bhowani Junction” (6 p.m.), “The Prisoner of Zenda” (8 p.m.), “King Solomon’s Mines” (10 p.m.), “Scaramouche” (midnight), “Moonfleet” (2:15 a.m.) and “Green Fire” (4 a.m.).
Monday Night Football kicks off its preseason with Baltimorea at Indianapolis (ESPN, 8 p.m.) – which also means no more Monday Night Baseball.
Soccer’s women under-20 world cup has its semifinals with England vs. Japan (Fox Sports 2, 9:50 a.m.) and France vs. Spain (Fox Sports 2, 1:20 p.m.).
In the Little League World Series, it’s Australia vs. Rhode Island (ESPN, 11 a.m.), Panama vs. Puerto Rico (ESPN, 1 p.m.), Michigan vs. Iowa (ESPN, 3 p.m.), Mexico vs. Canada (ESPN2, 6 p.m.), and Texas vs. Georgia (ESPN2, 8 p.m.).
The American Legion World Series semifinals has Delaware vs. Michigan (ESPNU, 4 p.m.) and Louisiana vs. Nevada.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: J.K. Simmons, Danielle Brooks, Kevin Pereira. The View: James Clapper, Bishop Michael Curry (rerun). Harry Connick: Andrew Zimmern, Dan Schachner, Lynette Khalfani-Cox, Joy Bauer, Joey Thurman (rerun). Steve Harvey: Roma Downey, Diann Valentine, Krystal Bee, Ta’Rhonda Jones (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Chris Hemsworth, Kelly Clarkson (rerun). Wendy Williams: Vanessa Bell Calloway, Milly Almodovar (rerun). The Real: Rachael Harris, Cheryl Hines (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Jake Tapper, Michael Pena, Dua Lipa (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Kanye West, Awkwafina (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Ray Romano, Lauren Miller Rogen, Leon Bridges (rerun). Seth Meyers: Joel McHale, Beth Ditto, Nimesh Patel, Emmanuelle Caplette (rerun). James Corden: Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Niall Horan, Andrew Lloyd Webber (rerun). Carson Daly: Jordan Klepper, Sofi Tukker, William Zabka (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Jimmy O. Yang, Emmy Blotnick.