Finally, HBO gets back to being a reliable source for solid Sunday night drama. The new “Task” (HBO, 9 p.m.) has a ho-hum title, but has some strong pedigree. It’s from Brad Ingelsby, who brings the same kind of careful storytelling, edge and locales of his last series “Mare of Easttown.”
Here, a rumpled Mark Ruffalo plays an ex-chaplin recruited to return to the FBI for a task force to look into a string of robberies of drug houses. The narrative pays as much attention to the criminal crew, whose leader gets a sensitive performance from Tom Pelphrey. There’s a humanity to all the characters, though, with patches of naturalistic dialog, some complex shifts in plot, and a consistent tension in the week-to-week drama (which runs seven episodes). It’s the frontrunner for the fall’s best drama.
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (CBS, MTV, 8 p.m.) has its biggest platform ever, with the broadcast sister network broadcasting it. But it’s never been lower in importance, partly because the network itself has largely abandoned music videos it will be awarding (what will they give it to? “Ridiculousness”?).
Anyway, LL Cool J hosts, performers include Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Jelly Role, Ricky Martin, Post Malone, Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Busta Rhymes and Tate McRae, among others.
Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Yungblud and Nuno Bettencourt will join forces for an Ozzy Osbourne tribute. As for awards, Lady Gaga leads nominations with 12, followed by Bruno Mars and Kendrick Lamar.
The first Sunday Night Football of the NFL season has Baltimore at Buffalo (NBC, 8:15 p.m.) in primetime. Earlier games include Giants at Washington (Fox, 1 p.m.), Pittsburgh at Jets (CBS, 1 p.m.) and Detroit at Green Bay (CBS, 4:25 p.m.).
The men’s singles final has Jannik Sinner of Italy and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz at The U.S. Open (ABC, 2 p.m.). Trump will be on hand, possibly to facilitate immediate deportations.
The first season of the spinoff “Dexter: Resurrection” (Showtime, 8 p.m.) with Michael C. Hall and Uma Thurman, has its finale.
“The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon” (AMC, 9 p.m.), the fifth spinoff of the franchise, returns for its third season.
Amanda and Frankie go after a weasel on “The Chicken Sisters” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.).
“Professor T” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) finds a school inspector has been murdered.
Jess reaches out to her sister on “Unforgotten” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
“The Marlow Murder Club” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) look into the death of an unidentified man in the suburbs.
Judy fights to save the family’s summer trip on “The Great North” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.), the only new episode on the network’s night of animation.
On the made-for-TV thriller “Sugar Mama” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), a college student is beholden to a wealthy businesswoman.
An abandoned cage may be the only viable shelter on “Naked and Afraid Apocalypse” (Discovery, 8 p.m.).
“The Great Food Truck Race” (Food, 9 p.m.) rolls into Newport News, Va.
How Americans deal with pain is considered on the special “Dr. Sanjay Gupta Reports: It Doesn’t Have to Hurt” (CNN, 9 p.m.).
“How Did they Build That?” (Smithsonian, 9 p.m.) looks at a wooden skyscraper in Milwaukee.
Holly and Rodney help the Kings dig deeper with the Queens on “Kings Court” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
“Wardens of the North” (Animal Planet, 9 pm.) help relocate a historic lakeside building from an eroding bluff.
The discovery of another body puts Jefferson, NJ into the the national spotlight on the true crime documentary series “Let the Devil In” (MGM+, 9 p.m.).
“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (HBO, 11:15 p.m.) returns from its short break.
Elsa Lanchester is featured on Turner Classic Movies tonight in “Bride of Frankenstein” (8 p.m.), “Rembrandt” (9:30 p.m.) and “Passport to Destiny” (11 p.m.). The silent movie at midnight is “Clash of the Wolves” (12:15 a.m.), and “The Silent Trailer” (1:25 a.m.) followed by two from Italian director Ermanno Olmi, “I Fidanzati” (2:15 a.m.) and “Il Posto” (4 a.m.).
Baseball includes Mets at Cincinnati (MLB, 1:30 p.m.) and Boston at Arizona (MLB, 4:30 p.m.). Sunday night baseball is kaput for the season apparently.
Motor sports include the Catalan Grand Prix (Fox Sports 1, 8 a.m.), the Italian Grand Prix (ESPN2, 9 a.m.) and the Enjoy Illinois 300 (USA, 3 p.m.).
WNBA action includes Dallas at Los Angeles (NBA, 6 p.m.) and Chicago at Las Vegas (NBA, 9 p.m.).
Women’s college soccer includes Ohio at Kentucky (ESPNU, 1 p.m.).
Women’s college volleyball includes Stanford at Texas (ESPN, 1 p.m.) and Illinois at Louisville (ESPN2, 2 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie. CBS: Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. NBC: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Sen. Cory Booker. CNN: Border czar Tom Homan, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo. Fox: Education Secretary Linda McMahon, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.