'American Music Awards' and its stars take center stage

By TERRY MORROW
Thursday, November 16, 2006
"American Music Awards" (8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, ABC) may not have the prestige of, say, the Grammys, but it does make up for it in star power.

Performing this year are the Dixie Chicks, the Pussycat Dolls and Nelly Furtado. Jimmy Kimmel will host.

Twenty awards will be given out, representing the best of pop, country, soul, rhythm and blues, rap/hip-hop, Latin, alternative, adult contemporary and contemporary inspirational music.

Mariah Carey, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Eyed Peas and Nickelback lead the nominations with three nods each.

A nine-time American Music Award winner, Carey is up for Favorite Female Artist in both the Pop/Rock and Soul/Rhythm & Blues categories, as well as Favorite Album in the Soul/Rhythm & Blues category for "The Emancipation of Mimi" CD.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers received Pop/Rock nominations for Favorite Band, Duo or Group and Favorite Album for "Stadium Arcadium." They have a nod for Favorite Artist in the Alternative Music Category.

The Black Eyed Peas are up for Favorite Band, Duo or Group and Favorite Album for "Monkey Business" in the Rap/Hip Hop category, along with a nomination in the Soul/Rhythm & Blues category for Favorite Band, Duo or Group.

Nickelback's CD "All the Right Reasons" gained them three American Music Award nominations. The group is up for Favorite Album and Favorite Band, Duo or Group in the Pop/Rock category. They vie against the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam for Favorite Artist in the Alternative Music category.

Garnering two nominations are Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, Eminem, Jamie Foxx, Pussycat Dolls, Rascal Flatts, T.I., Carrie Underwood and Kanye West.

Favorite Breakthrough Artist nominees include Chamillionaire, Pussycat Dolls and Carrie Underwood. The award encompasses all genres of music.

Highlights for the week of Nov. 19-25 (all times Eastern; schedules subject to change; check local listings):

SUNDAY, Nov. 19

_ "The Mayflower: Desperate Crossing" (8 p.m. History Channel). It wasn't all turkey and dressing for the pilgrims crossing to get over here.

_ "Friends: The E! True Hollywood Story" (8 p.m. E!). A lot of the dirt _ mainly a lot of trivia (like where the "Smelly Cat" song came from _ is brought up.

_ "Dora's World Adventure" (8 p.m. Nickelodeon). The Latina heroine decides to travel the globe in this special.

_ "Brothers & Sisters" (10 p.m. ABC). Rob Lowe comes around to seduce Calista Flockhart.

MONDAY, Nov. 20

_ "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" (8 p.m. ABC). Good grief, it's already Thanksgiving again!

_ "Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip" (10 p.m. NBC). The show is hanging on by a thread. That's this week's plot, not a criticism.

TUESDAY, Nov. 21

_ "Tony Bennett: An American Classic" (8 p.m. NBC). Tony turns 80 and celebrates by performing duets from his latest CD.

_ "Songs of the Year" (8 p.m. GAC). This documentary set at a recent country music concert honoring years of No. 1 hits will spill the behind-the-scenes action.

THURSDAY, Nov. 23

_ "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends" (7 p.m. Cartoon Network). To wrap up a 12-hour marathon, the "Friends" star in their first movie.

FRIDAY, Nov. 24

_ "Bono and the Edge: Off the Record" (11 p.m. HBO). Surprise! The U2 duo are actually on the record as they talk about their hit songs.

SATURDAY, Nov. 25

_ "Match Game" marathon (8 p.m. GSN). Fill in the blanks with six episodes of the classic Gene Rayburn game show.

_ "March of the Penguins" (9 p.m. Hallmark Channel). The Academy Award winning documentary makes its TV debut.