What’s on TV Wednesday: The C.M.A. Awards and ‘The A Word’

Photo

Country stars will perform at the CMA Awards. And a documentary about the racecar driver Danica Patrick tackles her triumphs and shortcomings.

What’s on TV

CMA AWARDS 8 p.m. on ABC. A cloud will hang over the 52nd Annual Country Music Association Awards after two deadly mass shootings, including one at a Las Vegas country music festival last month. Hoping to keep the focus on the music, the association initially tried to forbid journalists to address topics like gun rights or politics. But it backed down after a backlash; don’t be surprised if the event is more contentious than in years past, or if typically neutral artists, like the show’s host, Brad Paisley, turn political. Carrie Underwood will co-host, and Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw and Pink are among the performers.

DANICA 8 p.m. on Epix. This new documentary about the trailblazing racecar driver Danica Patrick unsurprisingly covers her triumphs, including winning the Indy Japan 300 and becoming the first woman to take a lead at the Indianapolis 500. But “Danica,” directed by Hannah Storm of ESPN, isn’t all rip-roaring success: It also homes in on Ms. Patrick’s frustration with her career stagnation, as she’s sagged to the middle of the pack in many recent races. The result is a portrait of a jaded but extremely proud competitor.

EMPIRE 8 p.m. on Fox. Lucious (Terrence Howard) tries to get his groove back in the studio amid concerns over his memory. Andre’s feelings for Detective Pamela Rose intensify. Forest Whitaker guest stars.

STORAGE WARS 9 p.m. on A&E. In seven years, “Storage Wars” has transformed from hoarder oddity into bona fide juggernaut, with spinoffs emerging left and right while detractors question the show’s veracity. Dan and Laura Dotson, Darrell Sheets and the rest of the main players return for more lock cutting and bargain hunting in this 11th-season premiere.

Photo

THE A WORD 10 p.m. on Sundance. There are not many shows that give a more honest, unblinking look at autism and its ripple effects than “The A Word.” The story focuses on a dysfunctional, sprawling family coming to grips with the fact that its youngest member, the 5-year-old Joe (Max Vento), is autistic. In his Times review, Neil Genzlinger called the show “anguishing but also sometimes drolly funny.” Season 2 picks up two years after the end of the last season, with Joe slowly realizing how he is different from others. His grandfather Maurice struggles with an unrequited love.

What’s Streaming

Photo

FRANCES HA (2012) on Netflix. There’s not much of a plot here, but it’s still delightful to watch Greta Gerwig drift through New York and elsewhere as a sort-of-artist in search of inspiration, love and a future. Frances is a dancer who doesn’t dance much and a friend who isn’t always so friendly; you can’t help root for her because of her charm and humor. Ms. Gerwig wrote the movie with Noah Baumbach, who directs the black-and-white scenes of New York evenings with a captivating twinkle.

Continue reading the main story