The first public hearings in the House Impeachment Inquiry (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CSPAN, 10 a.m.) looking into actions of the Trump administration are by their definition important television.
So your broadcast network soap operas and morning chat shows will have to wait to allow testimony today from George Kent, a deputy assistant to the Secretary of State who previously testified to a “campaign of lies” against a former Ukraine ambassador; and Bill Taylor, a former ambassador and the top US diplomat in Ukraine, who essentially corroborated many of the claims made by the whistleblower who brought the case to light.
Networks will want to get in as much commentary as possible (but also some commercials). PBS, which famously reran the Nixon impeachment hearings at night, will not do so this time (to the chagrin of some of its former leading lights, such as Bill Moyers). But if you’re connected at all to cable you can likely watch the replay all night on CSPAN. Hearings pick up again on Friday.
Women is a theme of The 53rd Annual CMA Awards (ABC, 8 p.m.) with an opening performer where Carrie Underwood will join the event’s two hosts Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire, as well as a raft of country women including Crystal Gayle, the Highwaymen, Tanya Tucker, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Terri Clark, Jennifer Nettles and Gretchen Wilson. It’s all meant to hint at an equality never heard on country radio, but Underwood is the only female up for Entertainer of the Year.
The latest engrossing true crime documentary series “The Preppy Murder: Death in Central Park” (AMC, Sundance, 9 p.m.) looks at the 1986 strangulation death of an 18-year-old girl and the arrest of a privileged kid whose defense was that she wanted rough sex. A huge case at the time has a radically different interpretation today. It continues over three nights.
The documentary series “Maradona in Mexico” (Netflix, streaming) looks at the time the Argentine soccer star ventured to the heart of the Sinaloa Cartel to save the local team.
Dan Rather interviews Bob Costas on “The Big Interview” (AXS TV, 8 p.m.).
The stupidest panel on TV is the one on “The Masked Singer” (Fox, 8 p.m.), so the addition tonight of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog will raise the wit considerably. The last two singers unmasked were Sherri Shepherd and Raven-Symoné.
“Nature” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) looks at larger beasts, from the Komodo dragon to the tallest giraffe.
Richard’s fatherly instincts kick in on “Tyler Perry’s The Oval” (BET, 9 p.m.).
“Nancy Drew” (CW, 9 p.m.) strikes a deal with a suspect widower
Leonardo da Vinci’s use of science is explored on “Nova” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
There’s a suicidal jumper on top of the bar on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (FXX, 10 p.m.).
“Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.) may have a tough time turning around the day’s hearings for her nighttime show.
One of the doctors is violently assaulted on “Chicago Med” (NBC, 8 p.m.); an apartment fire hits close to home on “Chicago Fire” (NBC, 9 p.m.) and Burgess gets a shocking diagnosis on “Chicago P.D.” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
Jughead uncovers a mystery on “Riverdale” (CW, 8 p.m.), so maybe now he’ll get a new nickname.
On “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” (Bravo, 8 p.m.), Joe is out of prison but transferred to ICE.
Andy’s relationship with Gary takes a turn on “Tyler Perry’s SIstas” (BET, 10 p.m.).
“American Horror Story: 1984” (FX, 10 p.m.), which was becoming the longest slasher film in history, reaches its finale.
Tiffany Haddish, Roy Wood Jr., and Thomas Lennon contribute to “Crank Yankers” (Comedy Center, 10:30 p.m.).
“S.W.A.T.” (CBS, 10 p.m.) looks for a band of thieves with a high-tech tool.
Stephanie throws a mid-life crisis birthday party for Travis on “The Real Housewives of Dallas” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
The salute to cinematography on Turner Classic Movies extends all month each Wednesday, with a reprise of the documentary “Image Makers: The Adventures of America’s Pioneer Cinematographers” (4:30 p.m.) and a first rate survey of international cinema with notable camera work: “The Bicycle Thief” (6:15 a.m.), “8 1/2” (7:45 a.m.), “I Am Cuba” (10:15 a.m.), “The Battle of Algiers” (12:45 p.m.), “Breathless” (3 p.m.), “Black Narcissus” (6:15 p.m.), “The Red Shoes” (8 p.m.), “Dr. Strangelove” (10:30 p.m.), “Seven Samurai” (12:30 a.m.) and “Rashomon” (4:15 a.m.).
NBA action includes Clippers at Houston (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.) and Golden State at Lakers (ESPN, 10 p.m.).
Hockey has Washington at Philadelphia (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.) and Chicago at Vegas (NBC Sports, 10 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes LSU at Virginia Commonwealth (ESPN2, 6 p.m.), Saint Joseph’s at Connecticut (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), Villanova at Ohio State (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Oklahoma State at College of Charleston (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.) and Purdue at Marquette (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.).
College football has Bowling Green at Miami-Ohio (ESPNU, 8 p.m.) and Northern Illinois at Toledo (ESPN2, 8 p.m.).
Soccer has Cape Verde at Cameroon (beIN Sports, 11 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Idina Menzel, Tony Hale. The Talk: Marla Gibbs. Ellen DeGeneres: Ray Romano. Kelly Clarkson: Jason Momoa, Alfre Woodaard, Kaleb Lee. Wendy Williams: Leslie Grossman. The Real: Brooks Darnell, Gabriel Jacob-Cross.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Tim Robbins, Nicole Wallace. Jimmy Kimmel: Ray Romano, Don Johnson, Maren Morris, Zac Brown Band. Jimmy Fallon: Rachel Maddow, Tony Hale, Dominic Fike. Seth Meyers: Sebastian Maniscalo, Liz Phair, Chris Johnson. James Corden: Beth Behrs, Sam Cilaflin, Grace VanderWaal. Lilly Singh: John Cena, Bindi Irwin. Trevor Noah: Daniel Kaluuya. David Spade: Chris Hardwick, Brian Posehn, Sarah Tiana. Conan O’Brien: Jenny Slate.