CMT will hand out music awards
Jeff Foxworthy hosts the 2005 CMT Music Awards (8 p.m., CMT), featuring appearances and performances by Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville. Loretta Lynn will be honored with the Johnny Cash Visionary Award for her career in country music.
Immediately after the award show, CMT debuts a new reality series “Popularity Contest” (10:30 p.m., CMT). This umpteenth variation on “Green Acres” invites 11 “city slickers” to move to Vega, a small town in the Texas panhandle.
The urbane visitors are encouraged to mix and mingle with their rural neighbors. Every week, Vega’s residents will gather to vote for their favorite.
The player receiving the lowest vote total will be eliminated. The last player remaining wins a $100,000.
And in a twist, he or she must split it with a Vega resident.
If anything, “Popularity” stretches the definition of “city slicker.” Most of the newcomiers appear to be from MTV central casting.
All of the guys are taut and trim and body conscious. There are several models in the group, as well as a cheerleader and few “makeover” artists.
“Venezuela: Revolution in Progress” (8 p.m., Discovery Times) looks at the precarious state of affairs in the oil-rich country where President Hugo Chavez and his opposition have created rival media outlets with widely differing views of the country’s condition.
Matt Damon hosts “Journey to Planet Earth” (10 p.m., KSPS) a two-part documentary offering an environmental “report card” on subjects including the safety and sustainability of our supply of food and water as well as global warming.
Other highlights
Ava comes clean on a two-hour season finale of “Summerland” (8 p.m., WB).
Nancy O’Dell and Billy Bush host Miss USA 2005 (9 p.m., NBC). The pageant takes place in Baltimore, a city described by its native son, John Waters, as “the hairdo capital of the world.”
Debra’s sense of style raises eyebrows at the PTA on “Everybody Loves Raymond” (9 p.m., CBS).
With the fate of Air Force One unknown, Audrey gives Jack the cold shoulder on “24” (9 p.m., Fox).
Linda Hunt narrates “The Great Transatlantic Cable” on “American Experience” (9 p.m., KSPS).
Robson Green stars in the British crime series “Wire in the Blood” (9 p.m., BBC America).
“International House Hunters” (10 p.m., HGTV) follows homebuyers as they search for the perfect home in Florence, Italy.
Cult choice
Novelist John Steinbeck hosts the five-story anthology “O. Henry’s Full House” (7 p.m., Fox Movie Channel) starring Fred Allen, Anne Baxter and Charles Laughton and featuring the work of directors Henry Hathaway, Howard Hawks, Henry King, Henry Koster and Jean Negulesco.
Series notes
Women of a certain age on “Still Standing” (8 p.m., CBS) … Joe Rogan hosts “Fear Factor” (8 p.m., NBC) … Domestic mayhem on “Nanny 911” (8 p.m., Fox) … Tears, drywall and extended “reveals” on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition: How’d They Do That” (8 p.m., ABC) … Melodic therapy on “One on One” (8 p.m., UPN).
Charity undone on “Listen Up” (8:30 p.m., CBS) … Class and no class on “Cuts” (8:30 p.m., UPN).
Jealousy abounds on “The Bachelor” (9 p.m., ABC) … Joan hires William’s ex on “Girlfriends” (9 p.m., UPN) … Camryn Manheim guest-stars on “Two and a Half Men” (9:30 p.m., CBS) … Dee Dee grovels on “Half & Half” (9:30 p.m., UPN) … The taxman takes a cut on “CSI: Miami” (10 p.m., CBS) … Brits v. brats on “Supernanny” (10 p.m., ABC).