TV TOP PICKS

7 p.m. on PBS Nature

Tiny chipmunks and feisty prairie dogs alike belong to the squirrel family, one of the most widespread such animal “clans” on Earth, comprising nearly 300 species. Depending on their particular characteristics, these nimble and resourceful little critters are able to glide through the air, outwit lightning-fast rattlesnakes and survive extreme cold that would be too much for many other animals. The new episode, “A Squirrel’s Guide to Success,” highlights recent discoveries about squirrels, including the fox squirrel’s ability to remember the location of 9,000 nuts.

7 p.m. on ABC The 52nd annual CMA Awards

Why mess with something that works so well? For the 11th time, country music superstars Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return to host these annual awards ceremonies, broadcast live in most areas from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Chris Stapleton and Dawn Huff lead the pack of this year’s nominees with five and four nods, respectively.

7 p.m. on CW Riverdale

Going out of her mind with worry after weeks of no contact with Archie (KJ Apa), Veronica (Camila Mendes, pictured) concocts a hazardous plan to break her boyfriend out of the juvenile detention facility in the new episode “Chapter Forty: The Great Escape.” Meanwhile, Betty (Lili Reinhart) finds herself racing against the clock to save her own beau, Jughead (Cole Sprouse), after he takes their investigation into the world of Griffins & Gargoyles a little too far.

8 p.m. on IFC

Stan Against Evil As anyone who saw the black comedy crime caper The Happytime Murders knows, puppets sometimes are nearly as bad as clowns when it comes to truly bad behavior. In tonight’s new episode, “Nubbin’ But Trouble,” one such evil puppet murders an antique store owner, then begins summoning spirits from hell — as evil puppets do. Meanwhile, Stan (John McGinley) brews homemade beer that tastes OK but carries a far more debilitating side effect than a mere hangover.

11 p.m. on FX

American This been us nuclear season titled But the devastation, Horror American might Kitchen just Story: Horror Sink, as mass easily Apocalypse since Story: murder, have it’s Everything given the characters Antichrist, from witches earlier and seasons callbacks Murder for House and Coven. Oh, and Joan Collins as witch-turned-movie-star Bubbles McGee. It all gets wrapped up (-ish) in tonight’s season finale, but as usual, the only thing we know about it in advance is that it’s called “Apocalypse Then.”