What to Watch Wednesday, October 21: ‘The Terminal List,’ ‘Abbott Elementary’ & Dolly Parton Tribute Lead Tonight's Lineup

Wednesday television is bringing emotional tributes, dangerous conspiracies, classroom chaos and enough medical emergencies to make everyone grateful they're watching from the couch. ABC celebrates the life and legacy of Dolly Parton with a star-studded live special, while Prime Video welcomes Chris Pratt back for another season of The Terminal List.

Meanwhile, Abbott Elementary and Scrubs continue their Wednesday comedy lineup, CBS delivers another round of Survivor and The Amazing Race, and NBC keeps Chicago's first responders extremely busy. Netflix and Apple TV also have new premieres, giving streaming fans plenty of alternatives to the traditional primetime schedule.

TV Cave Top Pick: CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton

Our Top Pick goes to CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, airing live at 9 PM ET on ABC and Disney+.

The two-hour special honors the legendary singer, songwriter and entertainer, whose death in August left an enormous void in the entertainment industry. Rather than focusing exclusively on the sadness of her passing, the celebration brings together artists from multiple generations to recognize the extraordinary career she built.

Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson, Kelsea Ballerini, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce and Darius Rucker are among the performers taking the stage. Kristin Chenoweth, Kristen Bell, Vince Gill, Little Big Town and several additional artists will also participate.

The event broadcasts live from Belmont University's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, featuring performances, archival footage and personal stories.

Considering Dolly's influence extends well beyond country music, it's fitting that the tribute includes performers from different musical backgrounds. Her songs, generosity and unmistakable personality made her a cultural icon, and tonight offers an opportunity to celebrate everything she contributed.

Wednesday, October 21 TV Schedule

Time (ET)	Show	Network/Streaming	Tonight
Streaming	The Terminal List	Prime Video	Season 2 Premiere — All 8 Episodes
Streaming	Where's Wanda?	Apple TV	Season 2 Premiere
Streaming	The New Stanford Prison Experiment	Netflix	Series Premiere — 6 Episodes
Streaming	VisionQuest	Disney+	New Episode
Streaming	The Mothers of Penguins	Netflix	Season 2 Premiere
Streaming	Merry Berry Love	Hulu / Disney+	New Episode
Streaming	Gladiator / Gladiator II	Netflix	Streaming Arrivals
7:30 PM	Timberwolves vs. Heat	ESPN	NBA Regular Season
8:00 PM	Scrubs	ABC	New Episode — “My Best Friend's Birthday”
8:00 PM	Chicago Med	NBC	New Episode — “They Call Me Ms. Goodwin”
8:00 PM	Survivor	CBS	New Episode — “Not Here to Get a Pedicure”
8:00 PM	The Floor	FOX	New Episode — “A Gamble for Glory”
8:00 PM	The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City	Bravo	New Episode — “Boss Up or Shut Up”
8:00 PM	Police 24/7	The CW	New Episode
8:00 PM	WNBA Finals: Valkyries vs. Dream	USA Network / CNBC / Peacock	Game 3 — Live
8:30 PM	Abbott Elementary	ABC	New Episode — “Tryouts”
9:00 PM	CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton	ABC / Disney+	⭐ TOP PICK — Live Tribute Special
9:00 PM	Chicago Fire	NBC	New Episode — “Take the Hit”
9:00 PM	The Lowdown	FX	New Episode — “Truth's Easy”
9:00 PM	Vanderpump Rules: Lisa Las Vegas	Bravo	Limited Series Finale
9:00 PM	Tyler Perry's Sistas	BET	New Episode
9:00 PM	The Great American Road Rally	The CW	New Episode — “High Plains”
9:02 PM	99 to Beat	FOX	New Episode — “50 Down, 50 to Go!”
9:30 PM	The Amazing Race	CBS	New Episode — “That's Honestly on Them”
10:00 PM	Chicago P.D.	NBC	New Episode — “Under the Surface”
10:00 PM	Warriors vs. Lakers	ESPN	NBA Regular Season

All times Eastern. Streaming titles are available on demand unless otherwise noted. ABC's Dolly Parton tribute streams live on Disney+ and becomes available on Hulu the following day. The Lowdown's Hulu release follows its FX broadcast schedule.

‘The Terminal List’ Returns With Chris Pratt

Prime Video premieres The Terminal List Season 2 today, with all eight episodes available to stream. Chris Pratt returns as James Reece, whose journey continues after the devastating events of the first season. Based on Jack Carr's novel True Believer, the new installment takes Reece into international espionage as he uncovers a conspiracy stretching across multiple continents.

After everything Reece endured during his original mission, one might think he'd consider finding a quieter profession. Unfortunately, international conspiracies don't seem particularly interested in allowing him that luxury.

The season expands the story beyond its original revenge narrative, with Reece confronting threats tied to powerful organizations and his own family's history.

‘Abbott Elementary,’ ‘Scrubs’ and One Chicago Continue

ABC begins its evening with Scrubs at 8 PM, followed by Abbott Elementary at 8:30 PM.

In Scrubs, Turk wants to celebrate his birthday with J.D. and Elliot, while the interns face challenges during an overnight hospital shift. Considering the history of this friendship, we wouldn't be surprised if Turk's birthday plans become considerably more complicated than expected.

At Abbott, the step team auditions for a major competition, while Melissa and Barbara attend a special education certification course. Janine, Gregory and Jacob also welcome a substitute teacher, which should give the staff another opportunity to demonstrate just how unpredictable their workplace can be.

Meanwhile, NBC continues its One Chicago lineup. Chicago Med opens the evening with Frost and Charles treating a young burn victim. At 9 PM, Chicago Fire deals with the consequences of a serious mistake in the field, while Chicago P.D. closes the night with Voight growing increasingly suspicious of Charlie Boyden.

‘Survivor’ and ‘The Amazing Race’ Raise the Stakes

CBS begins with Survivor at 8 PM, and tonight's episode promises double trouble. Two tribes will attend Tribal Council following an immunity challenge, while one contestant receives a previously unseen advantage. With multiple eliminations potentially changing the competition, alliances could become considerably less secure.

At 9:30 PM, The Amazing Race heads to Albania for the first time in the show's history. The return of the Driver's Seat twist creates additional complications for the competing teams, proving once again that traveling around the world is considerably less enjoyable when someone is constantly threatening to eliminate you.

More Streaming Premieres and Reality TV Drama

Apple TV premieres Where's Wanda? Season 2, bringing the Klatts back for another mystery involving their daughter.

After finally getting Wanda home, the family faces a new nightmare when she becomes connected to a suspicious death. Their attempts to prove her innocence lead them into another investigation filled with dangerous secrets. Netflix also premieres The New Stanford Prison Experiment, an unscripted series that places 30 volunteers into a prison environment to examine how people respond to authority and power. Over on Bravo, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City continues with another round of disagreements, while Vanderpump Rules: Lisa Las Vegas concludes its three-part event.

With a major musical tribute, returning dramas, reality competition and several streaming premieres, Wednesday offers plenty of reasons to stay home. Dolly Parton's celebration gets our Top Pick, but The Terminal List and the One Chicago lineup are providing some serious competition.