MTV Video Music Awards 8 p.m., MTV

Kevin Hart hosts the 29th too-cool-for-school-but-school-just-started event, which finds Taylor Swift (above) taking a day off from her stalking to perform. Also on the stage: performers Rihanna, Green Day, and Pink and presenters Andy Samberg, Miley Cyrus, Rashida Jones, and the US women’s gymnastics team. The pre-show is at 7. By the way, MTV bumped the awards up an hour, so that the show will be over by the time President Obama speaks.

Democratic National Convention 10 p.m.

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Energize the base. It sounds like lamp instructions. Or maybe a jail program to inspire death-row inmates to be more active. But of course it is what President Obama is expected to do tonight, among other things, when he delivers his official acceptance speech all across the networks and cable news channels.

The 10 Most Unbelievable Births 8 p.m., DFH

Melisandre, you win.

The American Bible Challenge 8 p.m., GSN

Make it a Bobble challenge and I’m in. Ready, set, hydrate.

Beat the Chefs 9 p.m., GSN

I think a note on the check will do.