Tonight's Best TV

A DAILY GUIDE TO NOTABLE SHOWS by Jessica Shaw

8-11PM
ABC
Preview

2009 American Music Awards

Ah, the American Music Awards: neither as prestigious as the Grammys nor as cool as the VMAs. Since no one really cares who takes home the trophies, the ceremony is all about the all-star live performances. The highlights will be Lady Gaga, the American Idolalums you still remember (Kelly, Carrie, Daughtry, and Glambert), Eminem, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, and — just in case you haven't seen them enough this year — the Black Eyed Peas. — Simon Vozick-Levinson

8-8:30PM
Fox, TV-PG-DLSV

The Simpsons

Jonah Hill is the voice of a legendary Springfield Elementary prankster who's now 19. Is peaking in grade school as tragic when it's animated?

9-10PM
Food, TV-G
Season finale

The Next Iron Chef

A new chef is crowned! Does the loser do dishes?

9-10PM
Science, TV-G

Vampires From the Abyss

Vampire squid: not nearly as cute as Edward.

9-10PM
CBS, TV-PG-L

Three Rivers

There's nothing more romantic than buying your honey a black-market liver. Other than anything.

9-10PM
Showtime, TV-MA

Dexter

It's Thanksgiving time! Rita might be stressed about some unexpected dinner guests, but at least her husband knows how to work a knife.

9:30PM-10PM
Fox, TV-14-DLV

American Dad

While you (probably) weren't watching, Dad got better than Family Guy, even if this episode isn't the best proof. FBI guy Stan gets obsessed with My Morning Jacket, a plot that improves when it morphs into an Almost Famous spoof. It's hilarious…provided you're into the band. BAlynda Wheat

10-11PM
Investigation Discovery, TV-PG

On the Case with Paula Zahn

Paula interviews a man arrested for murdering a Las Vegas casino owner and then freed after a mistrial. Call me crazy, but if I were acquitted of murder, I'd want to talk about anything on the planet but that murdered dude.