The latest comedy from Amando Iannucci doesn’t hit as hard as “Veep,” but is better than his last try, “Avenue 5.” “The Franchise” (HBO, 10 p.m.) has as its juicy target the bloated world of superhero franchise movies, where the dumb storylines are subservient to the special efects and everyone is at the mercy of dim studio heads.
This one follows the efforts of first director (Himesh Patel) to keep things on track, despite an array of inept characters. Among them is an ex who is now project producer (Aya Cash); among the cast is Richard E. Grant, spouting theater credits.
The fast-moving and funny dialogue and the evolving levels of assistants make it seem more like Iannucci’s early work set in UK politics, “The Thick of It.” It’s a lot of fun.
Last year’s unnecessary live action remake of “The Little Mermaid” (ABC, 8 p.m.) with Halle Bailey as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, makes its broadcast debut.
“The American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special” (CbS, 8 p.m.) recounts highlights from the past half century with new performances with Nelly, joined by Chingy, J-Kwon and St. Lunitics; Nile Rodgers and Chic; and Shiela E. With Chaka Khan. Also performing: Green Day, Brad Paisley, Gladys Knight, Jennifer Hudson, Kane Brown, Mariah Carey, Ray and Stray Kids.
Sunday Night Football has Dallas at Pittsburgh (NBC, 8:15 p.m.). Earlier games include Jets vs. Minnesota (NFL, 9:30 a.m.) from London, Cleveland at Washington (Fox, 1 p.m.), Baltimore at Cincinnati (CBS, 1 p.m.) and Green Bay at Rams (CBS, 4:25 p.m.).
Oh boy, it’s a “White Lotus” parody tonight on “The Simpsons” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
“The Chosen” (CW, 8 p.m.) celebrates Hanukkah.
Ellen DeGeneres coming out was considered a big deal in 1997 and on “TV on the Edge: Moments That Shaped Our Culture” (CNN, 9 p.m.).
“Ridley” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) is pressured to find the killer once another body is found.
Mark wants to become a rescuer on “Universal Basic Guys” (Fox, 8:30 p.m.).
“Bob’s Burgers” (Fox, 9 p.m.) tries to keep the local drive-in movie theater from closing.
Tyrannis has a hunting mishap on “Krapopolis” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.).
“Van der Valk” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) continues the investigation after an environmental campaigner.
Susan meets with Alan’s ex-partner on “Moonflower Murders” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
“Vinyl Obsession” (AXStv, 10:30 p.m.) returns for a second season of taking rock stars to record stars to talk about their favorite discs. Tonight, Dave Mustaine of Megadeth
“SEAL Team” (Paramount+, streaming) ends its run after seven seasons that began at CBS before it moved to streaming.
Carol and Ash take an unexpected detour on “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon” (AMC, 9 p.m.).
“Big Brother” (CBS, 10 p.m.) is down to its final four, so the contest for head of household is more important than ever. Its finale is a week from today.
“The Real Housewives of Potomac” (Bravo, 8 p.m.) rally around Karen.
A second season begins for the dating competition “Queens Court” (Bravo. 9 p.m.) with three new “celebrity” queens, if you can call them that — LisaRaye, K. Michelle and London “Deelishis” Charles — doing the picking.
More “Halloween Wars” (Food, 9 p.m.) makes way for “Outrageous Pumpkins” (Food. 10 p.m.).
Victor is torn about his new role as assistant to “The Penguin” (HBO, 9 p.m.).
I can’t quite believe there’s a three-hour “Built America Presents” (History, 8 p.m.) about Lay’s potato chips. I guess they couldn’t do just one.
Kenny leads a group into the forest in search of food on “From” (MGM, 9 p.m.).
“Witches: Truth Behind the Trials” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.) revisits the trials in Scotland, and then during England’s Civil War at 10 p.m.
It’s Thanksgiving for “Sister Wives” (TLC, 10 p.m.).
“Snapped: Behind Bars” (Oxygen, 7 p.m.) sounds like two shows mashed up.
Turner Classic Movies has a couple of films from George Roy Hill, “A Little Romance” (8 p.m.) and “Slap Shot” (10 p.m.). The silent movie at midnight is “The White Sister” (12:15 a.m.), followed by two from Nagisa Oshima, “The Ceremony” (2:15 a.m.) and “Empire of Passion” (5 a.m.).
National League divisional playoffs have game 2 of Mets at Philadelphia (Fox Sports 1, 4 p.m.) and San Diego at Dodgers (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.).
WNBA semifinals have New York at Las Vegas (ABC, 3 p.m.) and Minnesota at Connecticut (ESPN, 5 p.m.).
Preseason basketball has Denver vs. Boston (NBA, 10 a.m.) in Abu Dhabi and Milwaukee at Detroit (ESPN, 8 p.m.).
NASCAR runs its YellaWood 500 (NBC, 2 p.m.) from Talladega Speedway.
Men’s college soccer has Cal Poly at UC Santa Barbara (ESPNU, 7 p.m.).
Women’s college volleyball includes Texas at Florida (ESPN, 1 p.m.), Baylor at TCU (ESPN, 3 p.m.) and Pepperdine at Washington State (ESPNU, 4 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Rep. Mike Johnso, FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell. CBS: Sens. Mark Kelly and Thom Tillis, Rep. Mike Turner,UNICIEF executive director Catherine Russell, retired Gen. Frank McKenzie. NBC: Sen. Tom Cotton, Rep. Adam Schiff. CNN: Kelly, Republican co-chair Lara Trump, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Anti-defamation League director Jonathan Greenblatt. Fox: Johnson, Sens. Joni Ernst and John Fetterman.