The BET Hip Hop Awards (BET, 8 p.m.) return to Atlanta with Cardi B receiving the most nominations. But performance seems a more important aspect, from Chance the Rapper, Rick Ross, T-Pain, Anderson Paak, Offset, Saweetie, Rapsody and Megan Thee Stallion.
Maybe it should be renamed the Lil’ Awards: Lil’ Kim (right) wins a special award, Lil’ Jon, Lil’ Cease, and Lil’ Wayne all appear. The whole thing is hosted by Lil’ Duval. Though many of you may have lil’ interest in the proceedings, I keep thinking of Trump defending his use of the word “Liddle” and whether he meant to be trying to say Lil.’
A sixth season begins with “Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings), with the Harvard professor taking on a soothsayer’s pose in telling truths to various celebrities (that had been turned up by an unseen staff of researchers). First up are a trio of actresses whose immediate genealogy in Hollywood royalty is already well known: Isabella Rossellini, Anjelica Huston and Mia Farrow.
A new “Frontline” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) takes a look at the chilling reign of Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines where thousands of people have been killed on suspicion of drug dealing since he was elected. “On the President’s Orders” is such a strong report, it was also released theatrically last weekend.
The Chicago comic turns in a new stand-up special, “Deon Cole: Cole Hearted” (Netflix, streaming).
Broadcast time gets further cluttered by superheroes with the sixth season return of “The Flash” (CW, 8 p.m.).
On “This is Us” (NBC, 9 p.m.), Randall faces a tough choice.
There’s a big trip to Omaha on “Bless This Mess” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.).
On “The Conners” (ABC, 8 p.m.), Harris confronts Darlene about her lifestyle.
A marine is found beneath a semi on “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
“The Voice” (NBC, 8 p..m.) has another two hours of blind auditions.
Lucious can’t dodge the Feds forever on “Empire” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
The “FBI” (CBS, 9 p.m.) investigates the bombing of a female presidential frontrunner.
“The Curse of Oak Island” (History, 9 p.m.) looks back at the first six seasons in advance of the seventh.
A 20 year old cold case is reopened with new DNA evidence on “NCIS: New Orleans” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
Rainbow obsesses about her hair on “Mixed-ish” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
There’s a “Girlfriends” reunion on “Black-ish” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.) when the issue of feminism comes up.
On “Emergence” (ABC, 10 p.m.), Piper takes ill.
Max takes a chance on a new assistant on “New Amsterdam” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
“Finding Escobar’s Millions” (Discovery, 10 p.m.) looks at a mysterious concrete box at an airstrip.
They’re making doughnuts on “Chopped” (Food, 9 p.m.).
Probably not a travel recommendation: “Most Terrifying Places in America” (Travel, 8 p.m.).
Not connected to Halloween proceedings at all: “Ghosted: Love Gone Missing” (MTV, 9 p.m.).
“Mayans M.C.” (FX, 10 p.m.) continues its violent retribution game.
Office and gender politics continue to collide on “In a Man’s World” (Bravo, 10 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies replays this year’s “American Film Institute Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Denzel Washington” (8 and 11:45 p.m.) and screens three of his films, “Glory” (9:30 p.m.), “Devil in a Blue Dress” ( 1:15 a.m.) and “The Mighty Quinn” (3:15 a.m.).
During the day are an array of films about prostitutes: “Anna Christie” (6 a.m.), “Safe in Hell” (7:45 a.m.), “Strange Cargo” (9 a.m.), “Primrose Path” (11 a.m.), “The Angel Wore Red” (12:45 p.m.), “Millie” (2:30 p.m.), “Lafayette Escadrille” (4 p.m.) and “Cannery Row” (5:45 p.m.).
Postseason baseball has Houston at Tampa Bay (Fox Sports 1, 4:15 p.m.).
Hockey includes San Jose at Nashville (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Game 4 of the WNBA Finals has Washington at Connecticut (ESPN2, 8 p.m.).
Preseason basketball has Houston vs. Toronto (NBA, 6 a.m.) from Japan, as well as Dallas at Oklahoma City (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Denver at Portland (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
The gymnastics FIG world championships (NBC Sports, 8:30 p.m.) begins.
It’s U.S. vs. Argentina (NBC Sports, 12:45 a.m.) in the Rugby world Cup.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Puth. The View: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Neil deGrasse Tyson. The Talk: Adam Devine. Ellen DeGeneres: The Jonas Brothers, Kieran Culkin. Kelly Clarkson: Beth Behrs, Jeff Dunham, the Detroit Youth Choir, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. Wendy Williams: Wayne Brady. The Real: Rep. Maxine Waters, Omar Miller, Tisha Campbell.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Will Smith, Andrew Scott. Jimmy Kimmel: Tyler Perry, Sunny Hostin, Gina Brillon. Jimmy Fallon: Clive Owen, Elsie Fisher, Lewis Capaldi. Seth Meyers: Kenan Thompson, David Redneck, Steve Gorman. James Corden: Bradley Whitford, Whitney Cummings, King Caraway, Chance the Rapper. Lilly Singh: Natalie Portman. Trevor Noah: Susan Rice. David Spade: Brett Gelman, Chris Jericho, Megan Gailey. Conan O’Brien: Natasha Lyonne (rerun).