It’s been a big few days for the nation’s original documents. First the New York Times presented a big annotated version of the Constitution and now Alexandria Pelosi has her oral reading of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in her short film “The Words That Built America” (HBO, 7 p.m.).
Hundreds of different people are involved, starting with celebrities: Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, Samuel L. Jackson, Meryl Streep, sure. But also Julia Louis-Dreyfuss — the network’s Selena Meyer herself! — Anderson Cooper and Sean Hannity, Kid Rock, Jack Black, Kerry Washington, Kaitlyn Jenner.. You could make a holiday parlor game out of identifying each one — extra points for Yo Yo Ma followed by Common. But what they’re saying is interesting: The Colonists were plenty sore.
The big political names come during the Constitution’s reading, including every living President and Vice President. When’s the last time you saw Walter Mondale or Dick Cheney? Then follows all manner of Congress people and Senators and you begin to wonder why some were matched with some passages. The filmmakers’ mom, Nancy Pelosi, seems absolutely delighted to say the word “Impeachment.”
Best of all may be the readers of the Bill of Rights — all children.
The annual “A Capitol Fourth” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) has one of its weakest lineups yet, with John Stamos both hosting and sitting in with what’s left of the Beach Boys, from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Also: what’s left of the Blues Brothers and the Four Tops, Trace Adkins, Phillipa Soo, Chris Blue, Sofia Carson and the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jack Everly. Also, the network promises, they won’t switch to stock footage of past fireworks in cast this year’s is overcast (as they did last year).
On the 41st Macy’s 4th of July Fire Spectacular (NBC, 9 p.m.), Jennifer Lopez, Lady Antebellum, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley and Hailee Seinfeld are scheduled to perform. And then the fireworks display.
There’s even fireworks on “Deadliest Catch” (Discovery 9 p.m.).
An 18 year old disappears on “Gone on the 4th of July” (Investigation Discovery, 8 p.m.), which is followed by “Vanished in Seattle” (Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.).
One of the great marathons is “The Twilight Zone” (Syfy, all day and running until tomorrow morning), kind of fitting for the nation at this time.
Other marathons include 12 hours of “Treehouse Masters” (Animal Planet, 6 a.m.), nine hours of “Untold Stories of the E.R.” (TLC, 3 p.m.), four house of “Star Trek: Voyager” (BBC America, 6 a.m.) and 14 hours of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (BBC America, 10 a.m.).
“Independence Day” (E!, 6 a.m.) is on all day, playing eight consecutive times.
“The Patriot” (WGN America, 7 p.m.) is also on.
Independence Day movies on Turner Classic Movies include “Yankee Doodle Dandy” (8 p.m.), “1776” (10:15 p.m.), “The Music Man” (1:15 a.m.) and “Miss Firecracker” (4 a.m.).
There’s a Mel Brooks double feature of his two most underrated films, with “High Anxiety” (8 p.m.), “To Be or Not to Be” (9:35 p.m.),
Stage 4 of the Tour de France (NBC Sports, 8 a.m.) runs from Mondorf-les-Bains, Luxembourg to Vittel, France.
In tennis, it’s day 2 of first round play at Wimbledon (ESPN, 7 a.m. and noon).
Baseball includes Pittsburgh at Philadelphia (ESPN, 4 p.m.) and Boston at Texas (ESPN, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly and Ryan: Andy Cohen. The View: Chance the Rapper, Ben Platt (rerun). The Talk: Jerry Ferrara, Cristela Alonzo. Harry Connick: Chrissy Metz, Jamie Lee Curtis (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Beth Behrs, Hayyef Hrebid, Btoo Allami, the Growlers (rerun). Wendy Williams: Courtney B. Vance, Charly Black (rerun). The Real: Erika Jayne (rerun).
Late Talk
All reruns: Stephen Colbert: Tilda Swinton, Andy Cohen, Jordan Klepper. Jimmy Kimmel: Elle Fanning, Paul Downs, Playboi Parti. Jimmy Fallon: Jordan Peele, Claire Foy, Iggy Azalea with Anitta. Seth Meyers: Danny DeVito, Kathryn Hahn, Cecile Richards, Thaddeus Dixon. James Corden: John Goodman, Adam Pally, Jack Hanna, Spoon. Carson Daly: Ludacris, the Menzingers, Troian Bellisario. Conan O’Brien: Dax Shepard, Michael Pena, Kaitlin Olson, Gary Clark Jr.