July Fourth weekend is full of TV traditions
While most consider the Fourth of July to be the most red, white and blue of American holidays, some have a decidedly black and white take on the big day. That’s because it has been associated with a marathon of “The Twilight Zone” (7 a.m. today, Syfy) for at least a generation.
This year’s marathon runs for 19½ hours, or until 2:30 a.m. Sunday. William Shatner fans can set their clocks for “Nick of Time” (2 p.m.). That’s the episode where he plays a newlywed consumed by a fortunetelling machine in a small-town diner. And it wouldn’t be a “Twilight Zone” marathon without Shatner’s “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” (9 p.m.).
Donna Douglas of “The Beverly Hillbillies” stars in the plastic surgery cautionary tale “Eye of the Beholder” (6 p.m.), and Burgess Meredith, known to many as the Penguin from “Batman,” plays a meek bookworm in “Time Enough at Last” (9:30 p.m.).
Discovery’s Shark Week, now in its 28th year, is also deeply rooted in cable history. This year’s shark bait includes “Shark Trek” (7 p.m. Sunday), a documentary look at a Cape Cod marine biologist who studies the creatures’ swimming patterns in an effort to determine why the Florida coast has become a Great White “hot spot” in recent years. Then it’s down to the coast of Mexico for “Island of the Mega Shark” (8 p.m.) and “Monster Mako” (9 p.m.), a glance at a shark whose attributes remain a mystery to science.
Nat Geo Wild offers its own third annual SharkFest, beginning with the documentary “Shark Alley” (7 p.m. Sunday).
Bradley Whitford, best known for his character Josh Lyman on “The West Wing,” will host the 35th incarnation of “A Capitol Fourth” (7 p.m. today, WKNO-TV Channel 10). A diverse roster of performers includes Barry Manilow, the country group Alabama, singers Nicole Scherzinger and Meghan Linsey, musician Hunter Hayes, funk-soul group KC and The Sunshine Band, Irish tenor Ronan Tynan and the National Symphony Orchestra under conductor Jack Everly.
In addition to patriotism and blowing out the candles for the nation’s 239th birthday, the themes of the night include the centennial of Frank Sinatra’s birth.
Ed Sheeran headlines “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular” (7 p.m. today, WMC-TV Channel 5). Do we really need a U.K. pop star to help us celebrate our independence from the British crown? He’ll be joined by Dierks Bentley, Kelly Clarkson, Brad Paisley, Flo Rida and Meghan Trainor. Willie Geist and Tamron Hall of the “Today” show are co-hosts.
CBS used to broadcast the Boston Pops on July 4. This year, it burns off unseen episodes of a Bostonbased sitcom you’ve already forgotten. On two episodes of “The McCarthys” (today, WREG-TV Channel 3): Gerard misses the boat (8 p.m.); Independence Day (8:30 p.m.).
CBS also offloads two unaired episodes of “The Millers” (today, WREGTV Channel 3): Carol stands up for herself (7 p.m.), the pope comes to town (7:30 p.m.).
TODAY’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Regional coverage of Major League Baseball (6 p.m., WHBQ-TV Channel 13).
Jason faces execution on “Atlantis” (8 p.m., BBC America).
Partners fight over potions on “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell” (9 p.m., BBC America).
SUNDAY’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (6 p.m., WREGTV Channel 3): Social Security errors; genetic screening for diseases; a profile of Steve Carell.
NASCAR Sprint Cup action in the Coke Zero 400 (6 p.m., WMC-TV Channel 5), live from Daytona, Florida.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup Final (6 p.m., WHBQ-TV Channel 13).
Torn between two women on “Poldark” on “Masterpiece” (8 p.m., WKNO-TV Channel 10).
Niska escapes the brothel on “Humans” (8 p.m., AMC).
Food supplies dwindle on “Falling Skies” (9 p.m., TNT).