Shark Week returns to astonish and amaze
Also, Paul McCartney reflects on his career
DOn’T MIuu >> Shark Week — One of TV’s biggest summer events — the oceanic Super Bowl, if you will — returns for its 33rd year and runs from today through July 18. Organizers promise 45 hours of see-worthy programming with “bigger sharks and record-breaking breaches,” along with a celebrity guest list that includes Tiffany Haddish, Brad Paisley, J.B. Smoove, William Shatner, Snoop Dogg, Ian Ziering, Tara Reid and more. Things kick off with “Crikey! It’s Shark Week” as Robert Irwin attempts to figure out which fierce predator reigns supreme — crocodiles or great whites? (8 p.m. today, Discovery Channel; consult listings for other programming on Discovery and Discovery+)
Other bets
TODAY>> A few vacation days in Hawaii sounds divine, right? Not so much for the entitled, self-absorbed tourists of “The White Lotus.” Filmed in Maui, it’s a dark, six-episode satire that brings trouble in paradise — including a death — for a stellar cast that includes Connie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge and Steve Zahn. (9 p.m., HBO)
TODAY>> Great memories mix with hearty laughs in “History of the Sitcom.” It’s an eight-part documentary series that explores the origins and the evolution of TV comedies. The series begins with back-toback themed episodes — “A
Family Matter” and “Sex & the Sitcom” (6 and 9 p.m., CNN)
MOnDAY>> The six-part revenge thriller “The Beast Must Die” follows a London schoolteacher (Cush Jumbo) whose young son is killed in a hit-and-run incident. After the police investigation into the case is dropped, her grief turns to rage and she decides to go after the wealthy man (Jared Harris) she suspects is responsible. (10 p.m., AMC)
TUEuDAY>> Break out the peanuts and Cracker Jack for the 91st edition of the Major League Baseball AllStar Game. The American League will be going for its eighth straight victory at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. (5 p.m., Fox).
TUEuDAY>> “Miracle Workers: Oregon Trail” is the third chapter in the hysterical anthology series. Set in 1844, the story follows an idealistic small-town preacher (Daniel Radcliffe) who teams with an outlaw (Steve Buscemi) and a prairie wife (Geraldine Viswanathan) to lead a westward wagon train. Naturally, complications arise. (10:30 p.m., TBS)
WEDnEuDAY >> What would youriskforthescoreofa lifetime? The documentary series “Heist” recalls three of the biggest rip-offs in modern U.S. history as explained by the people who pulled them off. (Netflix)
THU uDAY>> The hilariously offbeat coming-of-age series “Never Have I Ever” returns for its second season. Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan)
continues to deal with the everyday pressures of high school, as well as drama at home, while also navigating a thorny love triangle. (Netflix)
F IDAY>> Love show tunes? You just might crush hard on “Schmigadoon!” A sixepisode parody of Golden Age musicals, it stars Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key as a couple on a journey designed to reinvigorate their relationship. They wind up in a magical song-and-dance town and then learn that they can’t leave until they find “true love.” (Apple TV+)
F IDAY>> In the revelatory documentary series “McCartney 3,2,1” Paul McCartney sits down with producer Rick Rubin to discuss his groundbreaking work with the Beatles, the 1970s arena rock of Wings and his 50-plus years as a solo artist. Topics covered include the influences and personal relationships that informed his iconic tunes. (Hulu)
uATU DAY>> And you thought holiday movies were just for the cold months. Nope. The annual “Christmas in July” film fest continues with 2019’s “Christmas Town” (starring Candance Cameron Bure) and last year’s warmhearted offering, “Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater.” (7 and 9 p.m., Hallmark Channel)