For the 11th year in a row, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return to host The 52nd Annual CMA Awards (ABC, 8 p.m.), the annual confab that includes performances from Kacey Musgraves, Pistol Annies, Garth Brooks, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Old Dominion, Keith Urban and Dierks Bentley, among others (it’s three hours long).
As artificial as Nashville can get, at least the leading nominee, Chris Stapleton, above, is the real thing. But will anyone at the event decry gun violence? Last year, CMA initially threatened to revoke the credentials of any journalists who asked about guns, following the Las Vegas massacre that killed 58 at a country music festival. This year, following the killing of a dozen people at a California country bar a week ago, the questions certainly linger.
The process that allowed the rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Thailand is explained on “Nova” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
Are you watching shows on YouTube? There’s a new series “Origin” (YouTube Premium) is a 10-episode series about passengers on a damaged spaceship zooming into unknown parts of deep space. Two for the “Harry Potter” movies, Draco Malfoy’s Tom Felton and Natalia Tena star.
There’s a lot left to answer in the tenth and final episode of “American Horror Story: Apocalypse” (FX, 10 p.m.), particularly the time line of the mangled crossover season. The title of tonight’s episode: “Apocalypse Then.”
“Sinking Cities” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) looks at threats to London.
“Criminal Minds” (CBS, 10 p.m.) tries to stop vigilante attacks in D.C.
A structure fire is the challenge of “Chicago Fire” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
The poor saps on “Are You the One?” (MTV, 10 p.m.) have a reunion show that serves as the season finale.
Grudging appreciation for the wily squirrel is given on “Nature” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings).
On “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.), an immunity challenge involves balance.
Dolores hosts a hatchet throwing party, not a great idea, on “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
Cookie tries to sign a London artist portrayed by Joss Stone on “Empire” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
On “Riverdale” (CW, 8 p.m.), Veronica tries to spring Archie from juvie.
Goodwin disobeys a direct order on “Chicago Med” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
On “All American” (CW, 9 p.m.), Spencer celebrates his birthday in Beverly Hills.
A social media influencer is summoned on “Star” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
“SEAL Team” (CBS, 9 p.m.) goes after another drug cartel.
A drug kingpin is also the target on “Chicago P.D.” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
“Expedition Unknown” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) looks for secrets on Nefertiti and Cleopatra.
Go ahead and hate your neighbor: All four Billy Jack films are on Turner Classic Movies tonight: “The Born Losers” (8 p.m.), “Billy Jack” (10:15 p.m.), “The Trial of Billy Jack” (12:30 a.m.) and “Billy Joel Goes to Washington” (3:30 a.m.). Earlier in the day, the forecast is for snowstorms with “The Life of the Party” (6 a.m.), “The Wild North” (7:15 a.m.), “Four Daughters” (9 a.m.), “The Viking” (10:45 a.m.), “Eskimo” (12:30 p.m.), “The Snow Devils” (2:30 p.m.), “The White Tower” (4:15 p.m.) and “Wuthering Heights” (6 p.m.).
NBA action includes New Orleans at Minnesota (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Portland at Lakers (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey includes St. Louis at Chicago (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.) and Anaheim at Vegas (NBC Sports, 10:30 p.m.).
In college football, it’s Buffalo at Ohio (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) and Miami, Ohio at Northern Illinois (ESPNU, 8 p.m.).
College basketball includes Michigan at Villanova (Fox Sports 1, 6:30 p.m.) and Marquette at Indiana (Fox Sports 1, 8:30 p.m.).
Soccer includes U.S. vs. Cameroon (Fox Sports 2, noon), North Korea vs. Germany (Fox Sports 2, 3 p.m.) and Canada vs. Colombia (Fox Sports 2, 5 p.m.).
In women’s college volleyball, it’s Kentucky at Arkansas (ESPNU, 6 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Jussie Smollett. The View: Troye Sivan. The Talk: Mark Wahlberg, Isabela Moner, Josh McBride, Carrie Ann Inaba, Valerie Bertinelli. Ellen DeGeneres: Connie Britton. Wendy Williams: Malcolm-Jamal Warner. The Real: Keshia Knight Pullman, April Ryan.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Ricky Gervais, Bianna Golodryga, Chef Flynn McGarry. Jimmy Kimmel: Emily Blunt, Taron Egerton, Kane Brown. Jimmy Fallon: Michael Shannon, Tig Notaro, the Struts, Kesha. Seth Meyers: Stanley Tucci, Pale Waves, Caitlin Kalafus. James Corden: Melissa McCarthy, Richard E. Grant, Mark Wahlberg, Ian Karmel. Carson Daly: Martina McBride, Barns Courtney, Jonas Strand Gravli & Seda Witt. Trevor Noah: Maurice Ashley.