Jeff Foxworthy is host of the 2005 CMT Music Awards (7 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” (9:30 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 $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 arrivistes 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 a few “makeover” artists.

While “Popularity” tries to make the most of the concocted “Red State/Blue State” divide, the prize-conscious hosts are on their best behavior and the “city” folk are too bland and dim to offend.

• Matt Damon is host on “Journey to Planet Earth” (9 p.m., PBS) a two-part documentary offering an environmental “report card” on subjects including the safety and sustainability of our food and water supply as well as global warming.

Tonight’s other highlights

• Ava comes clean on a two-hour season finale of “Summerland” (7 p.m., WB).
• Nancy O’Dell and Billy Bush are hosts to Miss USA 2005 (8 p.m., NBC).
• Debra’s sense of style raises eyebrows at the PTA on “Everybody Loves Raymond” (8 p.m., CBS).
• With the fate of Air Force One unknown, Audrey gives Jack the cold shoulder on “24” (8 p.m., Fox).
• “International House Hunters” (9 p.m., HGTV) follows homebuyers as they search for the perfect home in Florence, Italy.