Music takes center stage tonight as two networks, and two award shows, battle it out for top billing. ABC broadcasts the 29th Annual American Music Awards (7 p.m.), a gala that has seen controversy over the last few weeks.
Producer Dick Clark recently sued the Grammy Awards. He claimed that the Grammys blacklisted any stars who appeared on his show. He was particularly galled that Michael Jackson had declined to appear on the American Music Awards. Clark alleged that Jackson had bowed to pressure from the Grammys.
Meanwhile, CBS the network that will broadcast the Grammy Awards in February has scheduled a repeat of the "Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Celebration" (8 p.m.) to compete with the ABC special.
And just to make matters more confusing, both musical extravaganzas feature performances by teen singer Britney Spears. The Louisiana Lolita performs on the American Music Awards, along with Usher, Mick Jagger, Cher, Toby Keith, Kidd Rock and Lenny Kravitz.
CBS has added never-before-seen footage of Spears singing a duet with Jackson and a number by Lil' Romeo to its rebroadcast.
Where do superheroes go when they lose their powers? Dean Cain, star of "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," has assumed a new identity as host of "Ripley's Believe it or Not" (7 p.m., TBS), now entering its third season. Kelly Packard ("Baywatch") joins the show as a "field correspondent."
Fans of Mel Brooks' brand of silliness can choose between his 1974 Western spoof "Blazing Saddles" (7 p.m., Comedy Central) and his 1993 swashbuckling send-up "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" (7 p.m., Family).
Tonight's other highlights
Scheduled on "60 Minutes II" (7 p.m., CBS): security measures for the Winter Olympics; training monkeys to become caretakers for humans.
Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz star in the 1994 special-effects comedy "The Mask" (7 p.m., WB).
Leo risks personal turmoil when he vetoes a deal to spare the president from further investigations on "The West Wing" (8 p.m., NBC).
A priest is murdered while hearing confession on "Law & Order" (9 p.m., NBC).
Series notes
A famous local lawyer (Jay Thomas) asks to be Ed's partner on "Ed" (7 p.m., NBC) ... Eric's prank appalls Donna on "That '70s Show" (7 p.m., Fox).
Claudia confesses to a steamy dream on "Grounded for Life" (7:30 p.m., Fox) ... Grandma (Phyllis Diller) wanders off on "Titus" (8:30 p.m., Fox).
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