1) “Billboard Music Awards,” 8-10 p.m., Fox. After 17 years elsewhere, the awards return to their original network. Michelle Buteau, a comedian, hosts; performers include Coldplay, Seventeen, Teddy Swims, Tyla (shown here) and more. Up for the Top Artist award are Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen, Zach Bryan, Sabrina Carpenter and Drake.
2) “Elsbeth,” 10 p.m., CBS. One of TV’s best shows gets better, adding Michael Emerson. He’s an Emmy-winner (“Lost”) and the husband of Carrie Preston, the show’s star. Now she’s a juror and he’s the judge, intent on a quick conviction. It’s a clever story (complete with inept defense attorney) that settles one issue, while keeping Emerson around.
3) More, CBS. For the second straight week, “Matlock” (9 p.m.) has a fairly downbeat episode. This one involves a falsely accused nanny; things perk up next week. Prior to that, “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” (8) has Georgie bonding with his stepdad, Mandy trying not to scream at her mom. “Ghosts” (8:30) sees a sullen neighbor check in the B&B.
4) “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” 8 p.m., NBC. It’s NBC’s week for the classics – “Frosty” on Wednesday and “Rudolph” today. Also, ABC has the mid-section of its three-week “Great Christmas Light Fight,” from 8-10 p.m.; Freeform has “Santa Clause” films at 6:30, 8:35 and midnight.
5) MORE: At about 9:15 p.m., NBC has the “Hot 10 of 2024,” as compiled by the cable channel called E. And movies? At 6:05, Showtime has Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” (1998); at 8 p.m. ET, Turner Classic Movies has Elizabeth Taylor, then 12, in “National Velvet” (1944).
— Mike Hughes, TV America