Craig Blankenhorn/NBCAll Times Eastern.
Monday, July 4
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
NBC, 8pm Live
The annual event, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, commemorates America’s birthday with all-star performances in New York City, culminating in a dazzling pyrotechnics display.
NCIS Fourth of July Marathon
USA Network, beginning at 7am
Celebrate Independence Day the way the founding fathers surely intended: with Mark Harmon! NCIS will reign for 13 hours on the big day, and you won’t even miss the fireworks.
“Coming to America” Marathon
Comedy Central, beginning at 10:19am
Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones and John Amos star in the 1988 comedy classic about an African prince who runs off before his arranged marriage and comes to New York City to find a wife. Comedy Central airs the movie four times in a row as part of its “U.S. Hey! Weekend” celebration.
100th Annual Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest
ESPN, 3pm
Competitive eaters descend upon Coney Island’s famous boardwalk for an all-American eating competition. In 10 frenetic, food-filled minutes, contestants choke down as many hot dogs and buns as possible in hopes of winning the men’s bejeweled mustard yellow belt or the ladies’ pink bejeweled belt. Fans can also watch the event live at 12pm ET on streaming service ESPN3, or catch other rebroadcasts of the event on ESPN2.
Idris Elba No Limits
Discovery Channel, 7pm
New Series!
In this four-part series, which airs in its entirety tonight, acclaimed actor Idris Elba pushes his body, mind and engineering know-how to the limit by racing on land, water and in the air. Elba will immerse himself in rally driving, street racing, aerobatics and power boating to master not only the discipline of racing, but also the engineering, science and history behind it.
A Capitol Fourth
PBS, 8pm Live
Join the festivities for America’s Independence Day. The celebration of our country’s 240th birthday airs live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol before an audience of hundreds of thousands in person, and millions at home. Hosted by Tom Bergeron, the event features performances by Smokey Robinson, Kenny Loggins, Gavin DeGraw, Cassadee Pope and more.
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
CBS, 9pm Live
Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas perform tonight in this two-hour Independence Day special broadcast from the Charles River Esplanade in Boston, featuring a fireworks display and the music of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra.
Houdini & Doyle: “The Pall of LaPier”
FOX, 9pm
Season Finale!
When all but two residents of a small village (a priest and a child) die simultaneously, Harry Houdini, Arthur Conan Doyle and Constable Adelaide Stratton must uncover whether this tragedy is divine revenge for the town’s murderous past.
Devious Maids: “A Time to Spill”
Lifetime, 9pm
Rosie’s (Dania Ramirez) attempts to prove Spence (Grant Show) is innocent put her in great danger. Marisol (Ana Ortiz) seeks Evelyn’s (Rebecca Wisocky) assistance when Peter (James Denton) invites her to an important gala, and Daniela (Sol Rodríguez) turns to Jesse (Nathan Owens) to help her avoid Carmen (Roselyn Sanchez). Zoila (Judy Reyes) goes to great lengths to make Kyle (Ryan McPartlin) jealous. Genevieve (Susan Lucci) and Fabian’s (Christopher J. Hanke) relationship takes an unexpected turn.
Tuesday, July 5
The Simpsons
FXX, beginning at 8pm
FXX airs eight straight episodes of The Simpsons tonight, beginning with “Homer and Ned’s Hail Mary Pass” from Season 16 and including “Poppa’s Got a Brand New Badge” from Season 13 and “24 Minutes” from Season 18.
Zoo: “Collision Point”
CBS, 9pm
In the new episode “Collision Point,” tragedy strikes the team’s only ally within the government, and they’re left on their own to stop a surge of animal-related attacks from destroying the city of Geneva, Switzerland.
Man Fire Food
Cooking Channel, 9pm
Season Premiere!
To launch Season 5, Roger Mooking hangs out with two chefs putting a whole new spin on rotisserie cooking in the great outdoors. At Spring House restaurant in Alexander City, Ala., chef Rob McDaniel shows off a self-created, fire-fueled contraption that he and Roger use to roast succulent legs of lamb. In Charleston, S.C., Roger spends time with Craig Deihl, chef/owner of Cypress, who created a backyard-friendly rotisserie that can roast whole strings of ducks and chickens.
Containment: “Nothing Gold Can Stay”
The CW, 9pm
When word begins to spread that there may be a way out of the cordon, Jana (Christina Moses) considers her options.
Counting Cars
History, 9pm
New Episodes!
The new episodes will see the crew take on some of their baddest rides yet, including a custom supercar for former Guns N’ Roses guitarist DJ Ashba, and a surprising flip for rock legend Dee Snider. Plus, the show will feature a look inside the epic car collection of Wayne Newton.
The Greeks: “Chasing Greatness”
PBS, 9pm
Watch as ancient Greece’s legacy is invoked in Athens and at the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court. Take a look back at its rise and fall, which might not only help illuminate current challenges, but also point toward a better future.
Feed the Beast: “The Wild West”
AMC, 10pm
Revisiting the past, Tommy (David Schwimmer) questions Dion’s (Jim Sturgess) friendship with Rie (Christine Adams). Uninvited guests threaten to derail the restaurant’s soft opening.
Chopped: Grill Masters Napa
Food Network, 10pm
New Series!
Sixteen top-tier chefs compete in another epic Chopped tournament event — this time in California’s beautiful Napa Valley! With $10,000 at stake in each preliminary competition, the champs will fight it out for $50,000 more. The first basket features a sea creature and a colorful vegetable. Then, a ballpark snack could throw the chefs a curveball in the entrée round. Then chili peppers spice up the dessert basket. Ted Allen hosts and Michael Chiarello, Amanda Freitag and Marc Murphy judge.
Big Easy Motors
History, 10pm
New Series!
This show follows Charles Handler and his team as they search Louisiana for long-forgotten piles of junk that can be transformed into dazzling custom cars.
Wrecked: “Tubthumping”
TBS, 10pm
In this new episode, the survivors hold an election. Danny (Brian Sacca) and Todd (Will Greenberg) face off in a battle of the liver. On top of that, the island makes a discovery that could change everything.
Chopped After Hours
Food Network, 11pm
Season Premiere!
After the victor is crowned in each Chopped episode, the judges show off what they would have done with the day’s mystery baskets — and have a little fun, to boot. Tonight, in Round 1, vegan lobster mortifies the competitors, until host Ted Allen initiates a friendly game of vegan-meat basketball. In Round 2, Ted shows an ingenious invention of his own. And finally, Geoffrey Zakarian rewards three superbly unusual desserts with mystery-basket mixed drinks that aren’t for the faint of heart — or palate.
