TV TOP PICKS
7:30 p.m. on ABC
The Goldbergs
The nostalgic family sitcom kicks off Season 8 with a pair of back-to-back episodes. First, in “Airplane!” after Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) surprises the family with an end-ofsummer trip to Miami, the flight down descends into the madness reminiscent of that 1980 movie comedy, during which Geoff (Sam Lerner) lets it slip to Erica (Hayley Orrantia) the real reason for the trip. Then, in “The Prettiest Boy in School,” Adam (Sean Giambrone) begins his senior year at school as a “cool kid,” but his longtime pals aren’t as lucky.
8:30 p.m. on ABC
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Preceded by two election-themed specials, Season 7 of this acclaimed family sitcom gets underway with “Hero Pizza,” which takes the characters back to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a first responder in this medical crisis, Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross) gets warm praise and support from her family for her selfless work ... at least, at first. As the crisis drags on, though, enthusiasm among the other Johnsons wanes, until someone violates quarantine lockdown rules. Anthony Anderson, pictured, also stars.
9 p.m. on PBS
The Age of Nature “Understanding,” the second of three parts, explores how a deeper comprehension of nature helps humans find new ways to fix its problems. Along Washington’s Elwha River, the removal of dams has led not only to the recovery of the local forest but also Chinook salmon, which provide food for the endangered orca population in the region. In China, a scientist’s determined efforts to restore the firefly population, which provides natural pest control, is transforming the lives of rural farming communities.
9 p.m. on CMT
2020 CMT Music Awards
Country music’s only awards show voted on by fans celebrates both established country legends and a bevy of young rising stars in this year’s ceremonies, which air simultaneously on MTV, Paramount Network, Pop TV and TV Land, among other sibling networks. Ashley McBryde, Dan & Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett lead this year’s crop of nominees with the most nods. Other artists with multiple nominations include Blanco Brown, Carrie Underwood, Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion and The Chicks.