One thing TV has over most other modern communication is its ability to share history as it occurs. It happened in the Watergate Hearings 44 years ago, and it may happen again today with James Comey’s Testimony Before Congress (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, CSPAN, Fox News, 10 a.m.). Already the opening statement by the fired FBI Director clearly makes the case for White House obstruction of justice. Still, the way things have been going, the give and take may not go further than that. At least today’s event will stop CNN from using that darn countdown clock.
A second season starts for another one of those sleeper summer cable series that’s actually pretty good, “Queen of the South” (USA, 10 p.m.), about a tough drug kingpin who is actually a queen.
The new “American Boyband” (Viceland, 10:30 p.m.) follows the first tour of the group Brockhampton produced by hip hop artist Kevin Abstract
The new crime series “Sin City Justice” (Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.) follows the work of a district attorney in Clark County, Nev.
The sixth season of “Mountain Men” (History, 9 p.m.) begins.
Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoff Finals, with Nashville at Pittsburgh (NBC, 8 p.m.) gets a prime time broadcast showcase.
There’s big news overseas with the United Kingdom General Election (BBC World News, 7 p.m.).
Juliette prepares for her first big performance since her accident on “Nashville” (CMT, 9 p.m.).
Any success for “Beat Shazam” (Fox, 8 p.m.) would only mean encouragement for a future quiz show called “Beat Google.”
And the contestants on the revived with cash “Love Connection” (Fox, 9 p.m.) might be better off getting “Married at First Sight” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.).
Bethenny Frankel pops up on “Million Dollar Listing New York” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
An Atlanta rap beef gets the focus of “The First 48” (A&E, 9 p.m.).
Unusual animals are featured on “Mysteries at the Museum” (Travel, 10 p.m.).
Teams are selected for season four of “Alone” (History, 10 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies’ month-long Thursday night focus on Gay Hollywood continues with “Night and Day” (8 p.m.), “Words and Music” (10:30 p.m.), “Rope” (1 a.m.), “The Razor’s Edge” (2:45 a.m.) and “A Place in the Sun” (5:30 a.m.).
Baseball includes Angels at Detroit (MLB, 1 p.m.), San Diego at Arizona (MLB, 4 p.m.) and Boston at Yankees (ESPN, 7 p.m.).
In the French Open (Tennis, 6 a.m.), it’s the mixed doubles final, followed by the women’s semifinals (Tennis, 9 a.m.; NBC, 11 a.m.).
In soccer’s FIFA U-20 World Cup, it’s the semifinals with Uruguay vs. Venezuela (Fox Sports 1, 4 a.m.) and Italy vs. England (Fox Sports 1, 7 a.m.). It’s U.S. vs. Sweden (ESPN2, 1:30 p.m.) in a women’s international friendly; and U.S. vs. Trinidad and Tobago (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.) in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier, followed by Mexico vs. Honduras (Fox Sports 1, 10 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly and Ryan: Laura Prepon, Steven Yeun, Michael Franti & Spearhead. The View: Michael Bloomberg, Melissa Leo. The Talk: Wayne Brady. Harry Connick: Corey Hawkins, Mae Whitman, Hilary Farr, David Visentin (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Owen Wilson, Curtis Stone, Sofie Dossi. Wendy Williams: Courtney B. Vance, Charly Black. The Real: Erica Ash (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: John Mulaney, Richard Branson, Halsey. Jimmy Kimmel: Zac Efron, Connie Nielsen, Zac Brown Band (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Will Arnett, Courtney B. Vance, Laurie Metcalf, Buckingham McVie. Seth Meyers: Joel Edgerton, Zoe Lister-Jones, Royal Blood, Jared Champion. James Corden: Sofia Boutella, Potty Mouth, Emily V. Gordon, Arielle Kebbel (rerun). Trevor Noah: Salma Hayek. Conan O’Brien: Mike Tyson, Riley Keogh, Laurie Kilmartin.