HBO offers ‘Words That Built America’
How often do we read or consider our great founding documents?
The documentary “The Words That Built America” (7 p.m., HBO, TV-G) presents a full recitation of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, featuring more than 100 readers. They include every living president and vice president, as well as Supreme Court justices, Cabinet secretaries and the leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives, sitting and former governors and Cabinet members as well as celebrities, media figures and a cast of middle-school students from the United Nations International School. To kick things off on an exalted note, Morgan Freeman, who has portrayed presidents and even God, utters, “When in the course of human events …”
Prominent figures and ordinary students recite only a line or two. Director Alexandra Pelosi made a clear effort to make this film bipartisan and an attempt to bridge our current red/blue culture-war divides. While they were not in the studio at the same time, we hear both Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity from Fox News read a few lines, as well as CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
As if to say, “We’re all Americans,” Donald Trump and Mike Pence take their turns, as do Bill and Hillary Clinton. As such, “Words” works as both a civics lesson and an example of civility.
BIG BOOMERS
› Music and patriotism dominate the 37th annual edition of “A Capitol Fourth” (8 p.m., PBS, TV-G) hosted by John Stamos (“Fuller House”). Performers include country singer Kellie Pickler (“American Idol”), gospel legend Yolanda Adams and Broadway star Laura Osnes. Look for Patrick Lundy and the Ministers of Music as well as the U.S. Army Band during the fireworks finale.
› “American Ninja Warrior” co-hosts Kristine Leahy, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila and Matt Iseman emcee the 41st annual “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG). Talent includes Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Hailee Steinfeld, Sheryl Crow, Jennifer Lopez and Charlie Puth.
The special culminates with a 25-minute choreographed fireworks display featuring more than 56,000 pyrotechnic shells and effects.
CHANGE-UP
CBS treats the night like any other Tuesday, airing two “NCIS” repeats and a “Bull,” thus ending the long tradition of broadcasting the “Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular” from Boston Harbor.
COMEDY STREAM
Netflix begins streaming “The Standups,” featuring six specials from emerging L.A.-based talent.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
› Catch a “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (10 a.m. today-5 a.m. Wednesday, BBC America) marathon.
› A woman vanishes without a trace over the summer holiday in “Gone on the Fourth of July” (8 p.m., ID, TV-14).
› A nervous airline passenger (William Shatner) insists he sees something on the wing in the famous “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” episode of “The Twilight Zone” (8 p.m., SyFy), part of a marathon running through 5 a.m. Wednesday.
› Vehicular manslaughter on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-PG).
› In the ring on “Lethal Weapon” (8 p.m., Fox, repeat, TV-14).
› On two helpings of “The Middle” (ABC, repeat, TV-PG), a plea for peace (8 p.m.), the whole tooth (10:30 p.m.).
› Wally dreams and schemes on “The Flash” (8 p.m., CW, repeat, TV-PG).
› Locking lips on “Fresh Off the Boat” (8:30 p.m., ABC, repeat, TV-PG).
› Memory lane is lined with potholes on “Bull” (9 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-14).
› Toughening up Chip on “The Mick” (9 p.m., Fox, repeat, TV-14).
› On two helpings of “Blackish” (ABC, repeat), Christmas pressure (9 p.m., TV-PG), mischief night (9:30 p.m., TV-14).
Contact Kevin McDonough at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.