Can television foster social change? It’s difficult for a network to exhort anyone to go make a change when the real purpose of any network is to get you to stay on your couch and watch television. And few networks are as dedicated to indolent, guilty-pleasure channel surfing as VH1.

Tonight, VH1 presents the “Do Something Awards” (8 p.m., VH1), honoring individuals for their community service and social activism. All of the nominees are under 25 and range from founders of theater programs and public health centers to victims of genocide and poverty who travel the world raising awareness. The winner will receive $100,000 toward his or her cause. Jane Lynch (“Glee”) hosts.

It’s nice that VH1 is doing something uplifting like this. But VH1 has also been the home of some of the medium’s most audaciously cynical programming, from “Flavor of Love” to “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.” In that context, it’s a little like Charlie Sheen handing out the Mother Teresa Awards. Kudos to those vying for the prize, but this VH1 effort almost gives altruism a bad name.

• On that note, “True Beauty” (9 p.m., ABC) concludes tonight. The three remaining contestants will be tested severely. The judges will pair them off with “a real-life celebrity” who invites them to carouse all night. But the next morning, they will be called to shoot a promotional video for Las Vegas and not crack under the “pressure.”

Somewhere along the line, Vanessa Minnillo shows up with secret evidence about something. Whoever endures this celebrity death march will win $100,000 and public assurance that her inner loveliness and outer “hotness” are in perfect harmony.

Tonight’s highlights

• The St. Louis Cardinals host the Philadelphia Phillies (6 p.m., ESPN).

• An inmate vanishes on “Lie to Me” (7 p.m., Fox).

• Ten episodes of the third season of “Mad Men” (7 p.m. until 5 a.m., AMC) unfold in marathon fashion.

• The “Penguins of Madagascar” (7 p.m., Nickelodeon) discover “The Lost Treasure of the Golden Squirrel.”

• Jack and Dan don’t trust a tip about a bank heist on “Good Guys” (8 p.m., Fox). Dan Castellaneta guest stars.

• The documentary “Lucky” (8 p.m., HBO) looks at the history of lotteries and the stories of several big winners.

• Romance blooms on “Huge” (8 p.m., Family).

• “Life After” (8 p.m., TV One) looks at a turning point in the lives of the famous.

• Tony travels to Liberia for the food on “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” (9 p.m., Travel).

• “Turmoil & Triumph: The George Shultz Years” (9 p.m., PBS, part 2 of 3) continues.