Watch it

Academy Awards (5:30 p.m., ABC). Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin split the hosting duties and everyone expects “Avatar” and “The Hurt Locker” to vie for the top honors. Awards shows in general annoy me, but if you have to watch one, this is probably it. Besides, everyone will be talking about it at work tomorrow.

“Amazing Race” (8 p.m., CBS). The racers fly to Germany, where they retrace The Beatles’ early steps in Hamburg and go bungee jumping.

“How to Make It in America” (10 p.m., HBO). Ben takes severely uncool Kaplan clubbing instead of going to his ex’s birthday party.

Record it

“Superswarm” (8 p.m., Discovery). Not just a swarm; a superswarm. I don’t care what kind of creatures they are, a superswarm of anything can’t be good.

“Iron Chef America” (9 p.m., Food Network). Former “Top Chef” competitor Spike Mendelsohn takes on Michael Symon. I don’t get the Spike media parade — he’s waaaay overexposed, especially for someone who wasn’t even particularly entertaining on “Top Chef.” He must have a great agent.

“Monsters and Mysteries in Alaska” (10 p.m., Discovery). Examining the phenomena of UFOs, Bigfoot and the appeal of Sarah Palin.

“Freaknik: The Musical” (11:30 p.m., Cartoon Network). Adult Swim presents an animated musical about a bunch of partyers trying to recreate the famous Atlanta festival. Featuring voices of T-Pain, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Andy Samberg, Bill Hader and George Clinton. Should be . . . . interesting.

“Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job!” (12:30 a.m., Cartoon Network). Come on, if you’re going to watch “Freaknik,” then you’d might as well watch “Tim and Eric” too. It’s amazingly twisted stuff. Just sublimely weird. Tonight’s subject: puberty.

Skip it

Barbara Walters Special (8:30 p.m., ABC). She promises this will be her last Oscars special. Count on lots of softball questions and softly blurred camera lenses as she interviews Sandra Bullock and Mo’Nique.