“Today the day.”
Such were the memorable words of a guy on the street in Key West, Fla., 22 years ago. Nobody had to ask what he was talking about: It was the day the O.J. Simpson murder trial began.
Back then, it was the stuff of all three networks’ wall to wall coverage. Something similar happens today as the O.J. Simpson Parole Hearing (ESPN, NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, 1 p.m.) gets coverage just about as wide. He’s spent nine years of a 33 year sentence for armed robbery, trying to reclaim sports memorabilia at a hotel. In recent years, it was the murder trial that were the subjects of award winning miniseries and documentary series. Today, some of its figures, from chris Darden to Mark Fuhrman, will provide commentary on today’s hearing.
A new film in the documentary series “30 for 30” (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.) concentrates on Manchester United player George Best, a huge star in the 60s who needed police protection from the IRA and women in pursuit.
It’s followed by Manchester United vs. Manchester City (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.) in the international champions cup.
Comic nerds have landed in San Diego for the annual conference to pump up new superhero movies and, increasingly, TV shows. Zachary Levi hosts the first of a three night special reporting “Live from Comic-Con” (Syfy, 11 p.m.). His first guests are Adam Scott and Craig Robinson of the Fox TV show “Ghosted.”
Opposite that coverage is “Conan” (TBS, 11 p.m.) also originating from Comic-Con.
A Georgian arms dealer is connected to the death of a Polish detective on “The Tunnel: Sabotage” (PBS, 9 p.m.).
Teresa and Camila find a new distributor on “Queen of the South” (USA, 10 p.m.).
A clothing company in Boulder gets the spotlight in the new series “Shinesty” (MTV, 8 p.m.).
I missed the part where it became so imperative that Dominique be voted off “Big Brother” (CBS, 9 p.m.), although speaking in tongues might have been a clue. Last week, it looked like Jessica was a lock for farewell.
A peach state variant on the franchise is “Flip or Flop Atlanta” (HGTV, 9 p.m.).
“Hooten and the Lady” (The CW, 9 p.m.) break into the Sistine Chapel and battle an alligator.
The best part of “Boy Band” (ABC, 8 p.m.) are the eliminations. Two go tonight.
The hybrids are taking over New York City on “Zoo” (CBS, 10 p.m.), and we don’t mean cars.
People are sick on a plane on “The Night Shift” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
The 13th season starts for “Beat Bobby Flay” (Food, 10 p.m.) with Alton Brown and Adam Richman.
Guest judges on the revived “The Gong Show” (ABC, 10 p.m.) are Rob Riggle, Ken Jeong and Regina Hall.
Funny named magicians on “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” (The CW, 8 p.m.) include Jo De Rijck and Jimmy Ichihana.
Gabby Douglas, Cheryl Hines, Matt Iseman, Natasha Lyonne, Dacha Polanco and Taye Diggs are among the participants on “Hollywood Game Night” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
A brother-sister team competes on “The Wall” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
It’s soap stars vs. actors who played teens on ABC shows on “Battle of the Network Stars” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
More games are on “Beat Shazam” (Fox, 8 p.m.) and “Love Connection” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Couples on “Married at First Sight” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) go on second honeymoons before they face the experts for a final time.
Rumors of hellhounds of Mark Twain National Forest have been greatly exaggerated by “Mysteries of the Outdoors” (Travel, 10 p.m.).
Kevin reaches the hospital on “The Mist” (Spike, 10 p.m.).
Tom hits the jackpot on “Mountain Men: Fully Loaded” (History, 8 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies’ month-long Thursday night salute to Ronald Colman continues with “A Tale of Two Cities” (8 p.m.), “The Prisoner of Zenda” (10:30 p.m.), “Kismet” (12:30 a.m.), “Lucky Partners” (2:30 a.m.) and “My Life with Caroline” (4:30 a.m.).
Baseball includes St. Louis at Mets (MLB, noon), Toronto at Boston (MLB, 3 p.m.), Detroit at Kansas City (MLB, 8 p.m.) and Atlanta at Dodgers (MLB, 10 p.m.).
In WNBA action, it’s Chicago at Los Angeles (NBA, 3:30 p.m.).
In soccer;s CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals, it’s Jamaica vs. Canada (Fox Sports 1, 7:30 p.m.) and Mexico vs. Honduras (Fox Sports 1, 10:30 p.m.).
The Tour de France (NBC Sports, 7:30 a.m.) reaches Stage 18 from Brandon to Izoard.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Charlize Theron, Cara Delevingne, Andrew Zimmern. The View: Issa Rae, Gemma Hoskins, Abbie Schlub. The Talk: Regina Hall. Harry Connick: Tim Daly, Sarah McLachlan (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Katy Perry (rerun). Wendy Williams: Naughty by Nature, Abby Elliott.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Jason Bateman, Cara Delevingne, Muse. Jimmy Kimmel: T.J. Miller, Run the Jewels. Jimmy Fallon: Charlize Michael Phelps, Julie Klam, SZA. Seth Meyers: Ricky Gervais, Abby Elliott, X Ambassadors, Matt Johnson. James Corden: Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, Harry Styles (rerun). Carson Daly: Abigail Spencer, Partybaby, Asia Kate Dillon (rerun). Trevor Noah: Issa Rae.