— Live from Newark! A sure sign of summer’s impending departure, the MTV Video Music Awards (8 p.m., TV-14) will be broadcast live from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Look for performances from Taylor Swift, the Jonas Brothers, Lil Nas X, Bad Bunny, Camila Cabello, Big Sean, A$AP Ferg, J Balvin, Lizzo, Rosalia and Shawn Mendes.
These proceedings are occasionally made interesting and memorable by the unexpected or the seemingly spontaneous. It’s been a whole 10 years since Taylor Swift had her VMA moment interrupted by Kanye West. People have been chattering about it ever since. Other shockers include Britney Spears wearing a snake as an accessory, Lady Gaga sporting a dress made of meat and a public display of affection among Britney Spears, Madonna and Christina Aguilera.
Will anything memorable happen tonight? That remains to be seen. But just yesterday, performer Taylor Swift made news of sorts when she told "CBS This Morning" that she would be re-recording masters of songs that were sold off in a complicated deal with a music mogul.
Fights among musicians, lawyers and producers over control of their material may not be as sexy as a VMA moment, but they’re even older than MTV.
— Dud thinks he’s found an answer to the lodge’s problems on "Lodge 49" (10 p.m., AMC, TV-14).
As much as I want to like, or even follow, this show, I can’t watch 10 minutes without thinking I’ve entered a world of Coen brothers movie re-enactors, affecting all of the quirks and poses of their characters without the underlying darkness and intelligence.
For a taste of the real thing, you can return to "Fargo" (9 p.m., Starz Encore) or "The Big Lebowski" (10:40 p.m., Starz Encore) for the umpteenth time.
— The "POV" (10 p.m., PBS, r, TV-PG, check local listings) documentary "The Return" chronicles the impact of California’s decision to change its "Three Strikes" laws.
— Adapted from the memoirs of magazine editor Willie Morris, the 2000 drama "My Dog Skip" (7 p.m., HBO Family) recalls a shy Mississippi boy’s (Frankie Muniz) years on the home front during World War II, accompanied by his faithful Jack Russell terrier.
Arguably the best movie ever made about a pet, it transcends the "dog movie" genre to stand with great Southern coming-of-age memoirs, including Harper Lee’s "To Kill a Mockingbird" and Truman Capote’s "A Christmas Memory."
TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
— Two new obstacles on "American Ninja Warrior" (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
— America’s votes count on "So You Think You Can Dance" (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
— Second chances in the sand dunes on "Bachelor in Paradise" (8 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
— "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath" (9 p.m., A&E, TV-14) wraps up its third season discussing how the organization prevents estranged members from reporting abuse.
— Chester finds the evil entity hard to shake on "The Terror" (9 p.m., AMC, TV-14).
— A bounty hunter’s trial hits close to home on "Bull" (10 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).
— A charity auction raises funds and eyebrows on "Grand Hotel" (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
CULT CHOICE
Two naive teens (Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams) become the president’s (Dan Hedaya) dog-walkers in the 1999 comedy "Dick" (7:30 p.m., ShowCase, TV-14), a farcical take on Watergate.
SERIES NOTES
A tent situation on "The Neighborhood" (8 p.m., CBS, r, TV-PG) … Illusionists audition on "Penn & Teller: Fool Us" (8 p.m., CW, TV-PG) … On two episodes of "The Big Bang Theory" (CBS, r, TV-PG), Amy’s anxieties (8:30 p.m.), close encounters (9 p.m.).
Charles Esten appears on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" (9 p.m., CW, TV-14) … Tammy needs a little uplift on "Mom" (9:30 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) … Spoiler alert on "I Ship It" (9:30 p.m., CW, TV-PG) … "Dateline" (10 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
LATE NIGHT
"The Daily Show With Trevor Noah" and "Lights Out With David Spade" have been pre-empted this week … Henry Winkler appears on "Conan" (11 p.m., TBS).
Sofia Vergara, David Cross and Tove Lo are booked on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" (11:35 p.m., CBS, r) … Jimmy Fallon welcomes Dakota Johnson, Post Malone, Jon Lovitz and Tyler Childers on "The Tonight Show" (11:35 p.m., NBC, r) … Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Steve Martorano and BJ the Chicago Kid appear on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (11:35 p.m., ABC, r).
Wanda Sykes, Jose Antonio Vargas and Jeff Quay visit "Late Night With Seth Meyers" (12:35 a.m., NBC, r) … John Legend, Mandy Moore and Hollywood Vampires appear on "The Late Late Show With James Corden" (12:35 a.m., CBS, r).
