Sunday TV: American Music Awards, 'Simpsons'

American Music Awards
ABC, 8 ET/PT

Music rules on ABC Sunday with this fan-vote award show — and as with most such shows, the music is all that matters. So ignore the prizes and focus on the performers, scheduled to include Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, Mary J. Blige, Iggy Azalea, Fergie, One Direction, Selena Gomez, Lorde, Sam Smith and Pitbull, who also hosts. If it helps get you past any awards-show phobia, think of it as The Ed Sullivan Show for another century.

The Simpsons
Fox, 8 ET/PT

A tuneful evening continues on TV's greatest animated comedy, as Homer forms a cover band with some of his Springfield friends. All is well (or as well as things get with the Simpsons), until one of the friends becomes a bigger star than Homer. Will Forte and Sammy Hagar lend their voices.

Richard Pryor: Icon

PBS, 9 ET/PT (times may vary)

There are at least three new Christmas movies airing Sunday if you like, but in this Corner, I refuse to jump ahead to another holiday until we've all enjoyed the one coming Thursday. Instead, let's celebrate the work and legacy of one of America's greatest comic artists, the late Richard Pryor. Few were funnier; none were braver or less willing to pander and curry favor. Many a modern-day comedian should watch and take notes.