1) Country Music Association awards, 8-11 p.m., ABC. The late Jimmy Buffett had lots of country friends; now some of them – Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Mac McAnally, Zac Brown Band — will perform his songs. Morgan Wallen (shown here) will do a country medley with Hardy and Post Malone, then return with a surprise guest. Also performing: Luke Bryan (who hosts with Peyton Manning), Dan + Shea, Kelsea Ballerini, Jordan Davis, Ashley McBride and more.
2) “Buccaneers” debut, Apple TV+. Edith Wharton didn’t finish her novel before her death in 1937, but she left an outline and a lot of fans. There was an unfinished version in 1938, a completion by another author in 1993, a mini-series in 1995 … and now this splendid version. Kristine Froseth is wonderful as Nan, whose older sister is tackling British society. Nan accidentally stirs interest and drama, launching a richly crafted, nine-week series.
3)“The Morning Show” season-finale, Apple TV+. Just as Apple launches one superb series, it has a pivotal moment for another. Marks (Jon Hamm) is buying the network and Cory (Billy Crudup) is being escorted out of the building. Alex (Jennifer Aniston), Marks’ girlfriend, dreams of starting something big. But others fume that Marks will simply dismantle their network; Bradley (Reese Witherspoon) has already quit.
4) “Sullivan’s Crossing,” 8 p.m., CW. At times, this series has seemed as pleasant as its Nova Scotia setting. Now, however, things turn tough: Maggie is back in Boston, where she faces a court deposition and her over-eager boyfriend. Her dad, back home, has regressed into alcoholism. And her friend Cal is trying to reach her. In its sometimes-quiet way, this is becoming a first-rate series.
5) ALSO: NBC has the Republican presidential debate, from 8-11 p.m. ET; the new “Quantum Leap” and “Magnum P.I.” episodes will have to wait a week. PBS’ “Nova” has wrapped up its “Ancient Earth” series; tonight’s hour views China’s tech boom. Others have reality shows, including “The Masked Singer” (8 p.m., Fox) visiting the songs of performers who became “one-hit wonders.”