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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Dramatic finale wraps up ‘Americans’ third season

Chuck Barney Tribune News Service

Don’t miss

“The Americans”: The Cold War-era spy drama closes out an electrifying third season with a finale that finds Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell) and daughter Paige (Holly Taylor) in treacherous territory. We have no idea where that might be, but our guess is Walmart on a Black Friday. 10 p.m. Wednesday, FX.

Other bets

SUNDAY: The 50th Academy of Country Music Awards unleashes a golden-anniversary celebration hosted by Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan. Among the performers: Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert and Reba McEntire. 8 p.m., CBS.

SUNDAY: The stripped-down reality series “Naked and Afraid” launches a new season stocked with contestants in exotic locales trying to get by on just the bare necessities. 10 p.m., Discovery Channel.

SUNDAY: “Mad Men” continues marching toward its series finale, and we’re wondering just how many more $1 million checks Don Draper (Jon Hamm) has to issue in order to make up for all his sins. He’d probably get writer’s cramp. 10 p.m., AMC.

MONDAY: “Time Traveling with Brian Unger” is a new series that has its witty host exploring tales of yesteryear with the aid of CGI graphics. Among the first stops: San Francisco in the early 1900s, when the Golden Gate Bridge was still but a dream. 10 p.m., Travel Channel.

MONDAY: “StarTalk” is a different kind of talk show. Famed astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts an hour that fuses science with pop culture. His first guest: actor George Takei, aka Sulu from “Star Trek. 11 p.m., National Geographic Channel.

TUESDAY: “Inside Amy Schumer,” with its hilarious and absolutely fearless host, returns for a third season of envelope-pushing humor. We’re already cracking up just thinking about it. 10:30 p.m., Comedy Central.

WEDNESDAY: The British mystery series “Broadchurch” closes out a stellar second season with a verdict in the Danny Latimer murder case and some life-changing decisions. And, yes, Season 3 can’t come soon enough. 10 p.m., BBC America.

WEDNESDAY: It’s crunch time on “American Idol,” and we expect – no, demand – some killer performances as the show gets down to its Top 5 singers. 8 p.m., Fox.

THURSDAY: The title of tonight’s “Scandal” episode is “First Lady Sings the Blues,” but don’t get too excited: It’s not an all-musical hour. Mellie is just bummed because the American people don’t like her. 9 p.m., ABC.

FRIDAY: Anticipation is high for Diane Sawyer’s “20/20” interview with former Olympic decathlon champ and “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” papa Bruce Jenner. He’s expected to explain his decision to transition to a woman and how his family has reacted. 9 p.m., ABC.

SATURDAY: Who would win a fight between killer crocodiles and giant anacondas? Thanks to “Lake Placid vs. Anaconda” – a mash-up of two schlocky film franchises – we’re about to find out. We’ve got 50 bucks on the croc. 9 p.m., Syfy.