“Boardwalk Empire” (9 p.m., HBO)
Yes, there are times when the Atlantic City drama feels as much like a musty history lesson as that Emmy montage of deceased stars we politely clap for, but this series wisely dipped further into the speakeasy crowd this year, making Chalky’s (Michael Kenneth Williams) club Onyx a prominent player on the prohibition era Boardwalk. Nucky (Steve Buscemi), however, is in Florida, where he considers investing in sunshine or something equally elusive.
“Copper” (10 p.m., BBC America)
For a good fight, forget the gold and stick with this gritty metal as justice-seeking Corcoran (TomWeston-Jones) dirties his own hands to thwart the plans that scoundrel Donovan (Donal Logue) laid out for the Five Points. You’ll have to skip the end of the Emmys for the British import’s second-season finale, but you’ll feel smarter for watching this period drama.
“Dexter” (9 p.m., Showtime)
After showering Michael C. Hall with Lead Actor nominations since 2008, Emmy snubbed him this year. In retaliation, our favorite serial killer takes a stab at his series finale on the same night as the vaunted awards ceremony. Will he and creepy sister Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) get their happy ending? Unlikely.
“Breaking Bad” (9 p.m., AMC)
Do you want to see whether star Bryan Cranston wins an Emmy or do you want to watch WHY he wins Emmys? It’s the second-to-last episode of this series, and there’s no way any awards show can compete with this kind of drama. The meth cooker is followed by a new episode of “Low Winter Sun.”
“Devious Maids” (10 p.m., Lifetime)
If you’re more interested in statuesque women than statues of women, ditch the golden girl for these lusty ladies who are still trying to put together the pieces surrounding Flora’s murder. The first-season finale promises its own clean sweep with a soapy cliff-hanger.
“Worldwide Day of Play Concert Special” (7:30 p.m., Nick) The kids’ station must have been really ticked they lost out on Emmy nods, because they gave the ultimate middle finger to the Emmys by telling kids to ditch the TV and go outside and play. Well, actually they’re supposed to first watch this Nick special, then go out and play, but either way, a whole generation may miss out on the chance of finding out who won the 2013 Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries.