“CMT Awards” (8 p.m., CMT): Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus — the hottest father-

“CMT Awards” (8 p.m., CMT): Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus — the hottest father-daughter duo on the planet right now — host the 2008 “CMT Awards,” airing live from Nashville, Tenn. Brad Paisley and Sugarland lead the list of nominees, with four apiece. They are both vying for the night’s highest honor — Video of the Year. Paisley is there for “Online,” directed by “Seinfeld” co-star Jason Alexander; Sugarland is represented with “Stay.” The two videos show how diverse country music can market its hits these days. “Online” is a big production — featuring celebrity cameos and a marching band. “Stay” is a low-key affair, the center of it being lead singer Jennifer Nettles in an emotionally charged performance.

Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift and Trace Adkins are tied with three nominations each. Chesney, one of the biggest award winners in country-music history, is riding the wave on the success of his song. “Don’t Blink.” It’s up for Video of the Year, Tearjerker Video of the Year and Male Video of the Year.

Among the more unusual nominees: Garth Brooks and Huey Lewis for the “Workin’ for a Livin’” video; Bon Jovi and Rimes for “Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore” and Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson for “Because of You.”

Unlike many award shows, the CMT event doesn’t take itself too seriously. It sports such fun-loving categories as Supporting Character of the Year, which goes to stars who make guest appearances in videos. The nominees for that include Christian Kane in Underwood’s “So Small.” The Tearjerker award points out poignant videos that “stir emotion, whether tears of joy or sadness.” Nominees were based on more than 2 million votes cast online, says CMT.

“American Experience” (9 p.m., PBS): “American Experience” turns its focus to Walt Whitman, the pioneering poet who burst onto the scene in 1855 with “Leaves of Grass.” The program traces Whitman’s life story, from his working-class childhood in Long Island, to his years as a struggling newspaper reporter and beyond.

“Rules of Engagement” (9:30 p.m., CBS): David Spade is still the wisecracking single guy.

“The Paper” (10:30 p.m., MTV): Can MTV help make print journalism cool again? The youth-centric network, often dissed for favoring hot bods over great brains switches gears with “The Paper.” It’s a reality series that spends time with the ambitious kids at an award-winning high school newspaper as they struggle to write vital stories and meet their deadlines.

“Can You Duet” (10:30 p.m., CMT): And you thought television had exhausted all of its singing competition possibilities? Oh, silly you. Tonight brings the premiere of “Can You Duet,” a show determined to find country music’s next great recording duo.