1) CMA Awards, 8-11 p.m. Wednesday, ABC. There’s a new-music feel here, including rapper/country singer duos — BigXthaPlug with Luke Combs plus Shaboozey with Stephen Wilson Jr. There will be music by new-artist nominees Wilson and Trent Wetmore, plus Lainey Wilson (shown here, who hosts), Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney and more.
2) “The American Revolution,” 8 p.m. today through Friday, PBS, rerunning at 10. Ken Burns’ splendid epic ended its opener with Americans surrounding the British in Boston. Now a makeshift nation becomes official, with George Washington leading the military. That continues — with rich human details — to the Valley Forge ordeal (Thursday) and to victory.
3) “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “The Wizard of Oz” (1939), 7:30 and 8 p.m. Friday, TNT. Two of the all-time greats are back-to-back. First is Chuck Jones’ brilliant animation of a superb Dr. Seuss tale, with Thurl Ravenscroft booming the song. Then it’s magic, music and Judy Garland; “Oz” is No. 10 on the American Film Institute’s all-time list.
4) Comedies, 8-9 p.m. today, CBS and NBC. In a weak comedy year, this has become a strong hour. CBS has “The Neighborhood” (Calvin gets a city honor) and the witty “DMV.” NBC has “St. Denis Medical” (Ron and Bruce at a doctors’ conference) and the terrific “The Paper”: When Esmeralda cancels the wire services, the new reporters must learn quickly.
5) “Murder in a Small Town,” 8 p.m. Tuesday, Fox. Last week ended with Sid falling asleep and crashing his police car into a woods. Now he’s missing. Karl (the police chief), fresh from an argument with Cassandra, is in Seattle to confront Tommy Cummins, the art teacher and serial killer he arrested. Karl needs information; Tommy offers a blitz of puzzles.
6) “Wicked” (2024), 8-11:30 p.m. Wednesday, NBC. Two days before the second film reaches theaters, we’re reminded how good the first was. It has soaring music, great stars (led by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande) and director John Chu’s superb visuals. The result drew 10 Oscar nominations (including best picture), winning for sets and costumes.
7) “9-1-1: Nashville,” 8-11 p.m., Thursday, ABC. Fresh from the CMA awards, we can see a rerun of the season-opener, with a tornado threatening a country-music festival. The second rerun sees the storm batter a water tower; the third has a child in a trailer, hanging off an historic bridge. There’s a country feeling here, including LeAnn Rimes as a veteran singer.
8) “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story,” 8-10 p.m. Saturday, Hallmark. Last year, Hallmark scored with a love story set among Kansas City Chiefs fans. This time, we meet adamant Buffalo Bills fans. Morgan and Gabe don’t seem to realize they should be a couple. Then she learns that a mysterious benefactor helped her uncle, long ago. The Bills join her search.
9) “The Great Escaper” (2023), 9 p.m. Sunday, PBS. Michael Caine, now 92, has always been a neatly understated actor. Here’s a role that fits his approach perfectly. It’s a quietly moving (and true) story, with Caine as a D-Day vet, turning 90 as time neared for the 70th anniversary. Glenda Jackson, who died at 87 in the year this movie debuted, is excellent as his wife.
10) “Talamasca” season-finale, 9 p.m. Sunday, AMC, repeating at 10. The first episodes swirled with enigmas. What happened to Guy’s mother or Helen’s sister or “the book” that Jasper seeks so fervently? We get some answers (amid lots of jolts and gore) and some new questions. It’s a strong hour that leaves us impatient for next season.