TV Best Bets

Wednesday, July 4: Happy Independence Day!

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular Craig Blankenhorn/NBC

ALSO SEE: 2018 FIFA World Cup TV Schedule on FOX Sports

All Times Eastern.

Wednesday, July 4

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
NBC, 8pm Live

American Ninja Warrior’s Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila host an incredible night of majesty alongside the Big Apple’s East River with performances from Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton, Ricky Martin and more. The special will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of Irving Berlin’s song “God Bless America” with a tribute by Clarkson and the West Point Band and Glee Club. The two-hour event is followed immediately by an encore presentation.

A Capitol Fourth
PBS, 8pm

Join host John Stamos for an all-star musical extravaganza celebrating our country’s 242nd birthday, broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

Fourth of July at the White House Presented by Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel, 8pm

CMA Award winner Sara Evans and an array of musical performers accompany a spectacular fireworks show saluting the American spirit.

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
ESPN2, 12pm Live

Twenty competitive eaters gather to see who can consume the most meat. The wiener — sorry, winner — gets $10,000 (and hopefully some antacid).

The Pacific War in Color: “Shockwaves”
Smithsonian Channel, 8pm

Smithsonian Channel presents an encore of “Shockwaves” in honor of Independence Day. Months after the Pearl Harbor attack, shockwaves of war shake every corner of the Pacific, and young Americans deploy to stem the enemy advance. Culture clashes within the Allies erupt in Australia, but Allied forces later bond over efforts to thwart Japan’s move to control New Guinea. “Shockwaves” also reveals rare footage from military cameramen and other soldiers who captured life behind the battle lines, showing there is more to the war than combat.

Independence Day Movie Marathon
TCM, beginning at 8pm

Celebrate America’s birthday with a star-spangled lineup of classic movies including Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) and 1776 (1972).

Code Black: “One of Our Own”
CBS, 10pm

While rescuing an injured firefighter, Rox (Moon Bloodgood) is hit by a drunk driver and rushed to Angels Memorial in the new episode “One of Our Own.”

Colony: “Sea Spray”
USA Network, 10pm

Will (Josh Holloway) and Katie (Sarah Wayne Callies) question whether their family is safe in Seattle. Snyder (Peter Jacobson) digs up dirt on Everett Kynes (Wayne Brady). Amy (Peyton List) parts ways with Broussard (Tory Kittles).

Thursday, July 5

Hit the Beach With Frankie & Annette
HDNet Movies, beginning at 7:35pm

The Fourth of July holiday may have been yesterday, but even the day after is still a perfect time for a beach party. And who better to throw one than the iconic big-screen duo of Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello? Tonight, HDNet Movies gets you into the summer spirit with four of Frankie and Annette’s beloved films that are the next best thing to being at the shore yourself: Pajama Party (1964), Muscle Beach Party (1964), Bikini Beach (1964) and Beach Blanket Bingo (1965).

The Gong Show
ABC, 8pm

Celebrity judges Jason Sudeikis, Sharon Osbourne and Brad Paisley are set to praise, critique or gong tonight’s performers including a father/daughter rap duo, a young contortionist who can shoot a bow and arrow with her feet, an acrobatic man and his dog, and a whip-cracking harmonica player.

Little Big Shots
NBC, 8pm

After electrifying the crowd with her rendition of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” earlier this season, 13-year-old singer-ukulele player EmiSunshine returns to make you feel like a clod for abandoning those music lessons as a kid. Tonight on the Steve Harvey-hosted talent show, she performs — and undoubtedly slays — an original song. Also featured: a 5-year-old space expert and young aerialist.

Match Game
ABC, 9pm

Tonight’s celebrity panel includes Joel McHale (Community), Constance Zimmer (UnREAL), David Arquette (Scream 2), actress/comedian Caroline Rhea, Michael Ealy (The Following) and Laverne Cox (Orange Is the New Black).

Nashville: “Strong Enough to Bend”
CMT, 9pm

On the sixth and final season of Nashville’s operatic — or would that be Opry-atic? — drama, formerly closeted gay country musician Will Lexington (Chris Carmack) nearly died of heart failure, brought on by steroid abuse, during a performance with his band. The hunky guitarist is in the midst of a grueling recovery, but this week, things get bumpier.

Marlon: “Homecoming”
NBC, 9pm

Marlon (Marlon Wayans), Stevie (Diallo Riddle), Yvette (Bresha Webb) and Ashley (Essence Atkins) all attend homecoming weekend at Howell University. Having always been blocked fro membership as an undergrada, Stevie is determined to join the independent fraternity that Marlon created. Meanwhile, Ashley and Yvette get caught up with a couple of young coeds. Another new episode follows.

Queen of the South: “Reina de Oros”
USA Network, 9pm

Teresa (Alice Braga) puts her life and her empire on the line when she attempts to rescue girls being trafficked by her new European business partner.

Beach Bites With Katie Lee: “Catalina Island”
Cooking Channel, 10pm

On her culinary tour of seaside hot spots, chef Katie Lee stops by California’s Catalina Island, where it’s the drinks that have us drooling. Katie quenches her thirst with Buffalo Milk — a local cocktail made with Kahlua, vodka, crème de cacao, banana and half-and-half.

Shooter: “Sins of the Father”
USA Network, 10pm

Bob Lee’s (Ryan Phillippe) investigation into Earl’s murder leads him to the local slaughterhouse. Nadine (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) and Isaac’s (Omar Epps) quest to take down Atlas forces them into an uneasy alliance with a former Atlas agent.

Friday, July 6

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
Netflix
Season Premiere!

Jerry Seinfeld’s roving talk show is back, combining coffee, laughs and vintage cars into quirky, caffeine-filled adventures with the sharpest minds in comedy. Guests in the new episodes include Kate McKinnon, Ellen DeGeneres, Hasan Minhaj, Dana Carvey, Neal Brennan, Tracy Morgan, Brian Regan, Alec Baldwin, Zach Galifianakis, John Mulaney, Dave Chappelle and the late Jerry Lewis.

Sacred Games
Netflix
New Series!

Based on the acclaimed novel by Vikram Chandra, this thriller series is set amid the chaos of modern-day Mumbai, where the lives of a policeman, a criminal overlord, a Bollywood film star, politicians, cultists, spies and terrorists all interweave with cataclysmic consequences.

Somebody Feed Phil
Netflix
New Episodes!

In this original documentary series from Phil Rosenthal, creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, Rosenthal takes viewers on a goodwill eating tour of the world. Along for the ride are his friends, family and his trademark sense of humor as he visits Venice, Dublin, Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Cape Town and New York.

Quantico: “Fear Feargach”
ABC, 8pm

The team protects Shelby (Johanna Braddy) when she reunites with someone from her past, with deadly results.

Basketball: BIG3
FOX, 8pm Live

FOX Sports presents live coverage of the second season of the BIG3 — the premier half-court, 3-on-3 basketball league — from the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.

Breaking Big: “Jason Aldean”
PBS, 8:30pm

Learn how country singer Jason Aldean battled through constant setbacks early in his career and ultimately found success with a scrappy, persistent and out-of-the-box approach that led him to country music superstardom.

Just Another Immigrant
Showtime, 9pm
Season Finale!

Two new back-to-back episodes close out comedian Romesh Ranganathan’s hilarious docudrama. With the Greek show just two weeks away and ticket sales still woefully lagging, Romesh is open to any and all ideas that could help sell out the Greek — even his uncle and mother’s bizarre publicity stunts. Attempting to drum up major publicity to drive ticket sales, Romesh takes his mom and uncle to the Mexican border to build (and knock down) President Trump’s wall in an elaborate protest stunt. In this season finale, Rom finally makes it to the Greek, but how many people will be there to see him?

12 Monkeys
Syfy, 9pm
Series Finale!

The cult sci-fi series based on the equally cult 1995 film of the same name ends its fourth season — and its series run — tonight.

C.B. Strike: “Career of Evil, Part 1”
Cinemax, 10pm

Robin (Holliday Grainger) accepts a package at Strike’s (Tom Burke) office and is horrified to find a severed leg inside, accompanied by famous song lyrics. Interpreting this as a vendetta against him, Strike begins to pull together a list of potential suspects from his past, any of whom may have sent the macabre delivery. Meanwhile, Strike and Robin’s time-consuming, close-working relationship begins to rile Matthew (Kerr Logan), and things are intensified when the case takes Strike and Robin out of town for an overnight stay.

Saturday, July 7

Cycling: Tour de France: Stage 1
NBCSN, 5am Live

The 105th edition of the world’s premier cycling race, the Tour de France, begins today with Stage 1 and the Grand Départ at Noirmoutier-en-l’Île on the west coast of France. The flat stage covers almost 125 miles southeast to Fontenay-le-Comte.

Major League Baseball
FS1 & FOX, beginning at 4pm Live

FS1 and FOX team up for an MLB Saturday doubleheader starting on FS1 with the Atlanta Braves at the Milwaukee Brewers. Then on FOX’s regional coverage, depending on their market, viewers will see the L.A. Dodgers at the L.A. Angels, the Boston Red Sox at the Kansas City Royals, or the Miami Marlins at the Washington Nationals.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series: Coke Zero Sugar 400
NBC, 7pm Live

Monster Energy Cup stars Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., Clint Bowyer and others return to famed Daytona International Speedway for a race under the lights at the Coke Zero Sugar 400.

Me, Myself & I: “Field Trip/Home Alone”
CBS, 8pm

The sitcom Me, Myself & I was one of the first new series of the fall season to get canceled, and CBS presents two previously unaired episodes tonight. In “Field Trip,” Alex (Bobby Moynihan) becomes friends with another dad without realizing he’s the guy who ruined his marriage. Then in “Home Alone,” young Alex (Jack Dylan Grazer) and Justin (Christopher Paul Richards) are left home alone for the first time and panic when they think someone is breaking into the house.

The Incredible Dr. Pol
Nat Geo Wild, 8pm
New Episodes!

Veterinarian Jan Pol is just as adorable as the animals he heals, so it’s no wonder his reality show has stuck around for so long. Tonight, the Dutch-born doctor returns with his trademark enthusiasm and wonder — “Holy cow!” is an oft-used phrase — to treat more critters at his Michigan clinic.

Earth: One Amazing Day
BBC America, 9pm

This film from BBC Earth makes its U.S. premiere tonight on BBC America. Over the course of one single day, Earth: One Amazing Day tracks the sun from the highest mountains to the remotest islands, from exotic jungles to urban jungles. Astounding breakthroughs in filmmaking technology bring the audience up close and personal with a cast of unforgettable characters: a baby zebra desperate to cross a swollen river, a penguin who heroically undertakes a death-defying daily commute to feed his family, a family of sperm whales who like to snooze vertically and a sloth on the hunt for love.

Living Biblically: “Never Let Loyalty Leave You/Submit to Thy Husband”
CBS, 9pm

CBS airs two new episodes of canceled midseason sitcom Living Biblically. In “Never Let Loyalty Leave You,” Father Gene (Ian Gomez) is jealous after Chip (Jay R. Ferguson) attends a Baptist church. Then in “Submit to Thy Husband,” Leslie (Lindsey Kraft) is offended when Chip suggests she quit her job to care for the baby.

I Want THAT Wedding: “Surf vs. Turf”
TLC, 9pm

Bride-to-be Brooke envisions a casual celebration with a buffet dinner somewhere near the water. Her fiancé, Mike, wants a black-tie affair at a high-end venue. It’s up to wedding planner Christina to show them different receptions and get them to find common ground.

Bill Maher: Live From Oklahoma
HBO, 10pm Live

The political pundit, talk show host and comedian debuts his 11th solo special for HBO.

Fear Thy Neighbor: “Mistress of Death”
Investigation Discovery, 10pm

Double-check the deadbolt! Tonight’s episode of the true-crime series about creeps next door is a chiller. Two women who have shared a property line since they were kids have a bitter falling out when the ex-husband of one woman starts seeing the other.