TV Top Picks This Week
Don’t Miss: Fourth of July specials — What are the advantages to celebrating Independence Day in front of the TV? There are no crowds to fight and you can turn down the volume if the pyrotechnics get too loud. This year’s programs include the “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular” (8 p.m. Tuesday, NBC) from New York City, featuring performances by John Mellencamp, Brad Paisley and Hailee Steinfeld. Other options are “A Capitol Fourth” (8 p.m., PBS) and “Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular” (9 p.m., Bloomberg Television).
Other bets:
Sunday: From Prohibition and the Jazz Age, to the moon landing and the birth of rock and roll, many major 20th century moments have only been chronicled in black and white footage. “America In Color” changes all that by using modern technology to transform them into vibrant color. 8 p.m., Smithsonian.
Monday: They continue to rack up frequent-flier miles on “The Bachelorette.” Tonight, Rachel and the remaining guys jet off to Copenhagen, Denmark, where some of the bachelors participate in Viking-style games. Then it’s on to Sweden and Switzerland.
8 p.m., ABC.
Tuesday: “The Words That Built America” is a rousing Independence Day special. It celebrates our nation’s founding documents — including The Declaration of Independence, The United States Constitution and The Bill of Rights — via dramatic readings by actors, media figures, the six living presidents and others. 7 p.m., HBO.
Wednesday: Set in Los Angeles circa 1983, “Snowfall” is a compelling new drama series that delves into the early days of the crack cocaine epidemic. Through vivid characters and story lines, it examines the radical impact the drug crisis has had on American culture. 10 p.m., FX.
Thursday: “Mosquito” is a timely program that examines a tiny creature causing great big problems — including diseases such as Zika, malaria, West Nile virus and yellow fever. The film chronicles the increasing global threat these “agents of death” pose. 9 p.m., Discovery.
Friday: It’s all about delectable pastries and tarts on tonight’s edition of “The Great British Baking Show.” Please resist the urge to lick your TV screen.
9 p.m., PBS.
Saturday: Comedian Andy Samberg delivers another delirious sports spoof with “Tour de Pharmacy.” It’s a tale about a fictional worldclass cycling event in 1982 that was tainted by illegal doping and moral depravity. The cast includes John Cena, Daveed Diggs, Julia Ormond, Orlando Bloom and more.
10 p.m., HBO.