It’s the Fourth of July and those who prefer their fireworks with volume control are aided with the usual couple of east coast examples of pyrotechnic patriotism.
The Macy’s 4th of July Spectacular (NBC, 9 p.m.), from New York City, features pre-recorded performances from Katy Perry, dressed as Uncle Sam or Abbie Hoffman (depending on who you liked wearing your American Flag shirt). Also featured is country singer Kenny Chesney, who, unlike most stars these days, has an awfully small head.
From New England the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular (CBS, 10 p.m.) is one of the weirder hours on network TV, with a big crowd on the Esplenade to hear the orchestra and watch the fireworks, often accompanied by pre-recorded pop music. Michael Chiklis hosts, likely wearing a Red Sox hat, because it’s his hometown. Jennifer Hudson will also sing.
From Washington, “A Capitol Fourth” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) features Matthew Broderick, Kelli O’Hara, Kool & the Gang, “Smash” star Megan Hilty and the “American Idol” winner Phillip Phillips, on the same stage as last year’s “The Voice” winner Javier Colon. “Dancing with the Stars” host Tom Bergeron is M.C.
Once, in the Reagan Administration, there was some controversy whether having the Beach Boys play the Mall on July 4 would attract the wrong element. Now they’d kill to have a performance from the comeback group out on a big-grossing 50th anniversary tour with Brian Wilson and Mike Love burying the hatchet and Al Jardine just going along with whatever they decide. One of their performances is featured on “Front Row Center” (PBS, 9:30 p.m., check local listings) but probably not shot entirely from there.
The day starts out with overeating though, with the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest (ESPN, 3 p.m.) from Coney Island, where Joey Chestnut will defend his title for the sixth year in a row.
For its third consecutive night of showing, “Independence Day” (AMC, 8 p.m.) finally lands on the correct day.
The patriotic bio pics on Turner Classic Movies mark the holiday with the George M. Cohan portrait “Yankee Doodle Dandy” (8 p.m.), followed by the Sousa story, “Stars and Stripes Forever” (10:15 pm.), the film about the bandleader, “The Glenn Miller Story” (midnight) and the Gershwin saga in “Rhapsody in Blue” (2 a.m.), and the Woody Guthrie story in “Bound for Glory” (4:30 a.m.).
Many marathons are on today including four episodes of “New Girl” (Fox, 8 p.m.), all three tpisodes so far of the new “Dallas” (TNT, 8 p.m.) and “48 Hour Mystery” (OWN, 8 p.m.).
The terrific portrait of the performance artist, “Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present” (HBO2, 8 p.m.) gets a replay.
Men’s quarterfinals are scheduled at Wimbledon (ESPN2, 7 a.m.; ESPN, 8 a.m.).
And Stage 4 of the Tour de France (NBC Sports Network, 8 a.m.) is from Abbeville to Rouen.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Blake Lively, Cody Simpson, Kevin Jonas. The View: Jamie Oliver, Dr. Sam Klein, Paula Deen (rerun). The Talk: Marie Osmond, Marilu Henner (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Taylor Swift, Abigail Breslin, Foster the People (rerun)
Late Talk
David Letterman: Sacha baron Cohen, Julie Chen, Beach House (rerun). Jay Leno: Andy Samberg, Seth MacFarlane, Joe Henry featuring Lisa Hannigan (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Katy Perry, Alex Pettyfer, the Offspring (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Chris Rock, Cat Deeley, Mario Gutierrez, Carly Rae Jepsen (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Steven Tyler, Jaime King (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Colin Powell. Carson Daly: Michael Ian Black, Father John Misty, Rachel Yamagata (rerun). Jon Stewart: Seth MacFarlane (rerun). Stephen Colbert: Aaron Sorkin (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Betty White, Ken Marino, Young Jeezy featuring Ne-Yo (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Erin Wasson, Mo Mandel, Arden Myrin, Ross Mathews (rerun).