The little kids on “Stranger Things” (Netflix, streaming) are now gangly teens in season three of the popular sci-fi series and they’re hanging around a lot in the mall. The 1980s setting certainly invites the Spielberg touches, though the new season is supposedly more influenced by “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”
Stranger yet is the real life politicization of the Fourth of July celebration in D.C. into more of an ostentatious Red Square-style military display and self-produced salute to the current president. Yet, most all commercial networks are declining to air his “Salute to America” (Fox News, CSPAN, 6:30 p.m.), save for his loyal, state TV-style mouthpiece.
The traditional Washington celebration “A Capitol Fourth” (PBS, 8 p.m.) continues on the other end of the Mall, with John Stamos hosting and Carole King appearing (making it clear it’s not to do with the ego fest desecrating the Lincoln Memorial). She will be appearing with the Broadway cast of “Beautiful” starring Vanessa Carlton.
The event will also feature Vanessa Williams, Yolanda Adams and The O’Jays (who may be tempted to sing their hit that was co-opted as the theme to “The Apprentice”). Plus: violinist Lindsey Stirling, Broadway’s Keala Settle, country’s Lee Brice, Colbie Caillat and her band Gone West, and recent “American Idol” winner Laine Hardy, recent winner of “The Voice” Madelyn Jarmon, and Angelica Hale of “America’s Got Talent.” (So: two more reality stars than the other event).
Avoiding the Capital altogether is “Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular” (NBC, 8 p.m.) with Luke Bryan, Khalid, Maren Morris and Brad Paisley. Derek Hough and Ciara host.
Let’s not forget that other American indulgence: overeating. So from Coney Island comes the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest (ESPN2, noon).
Hot dogs are also the subject on “Chopped” (Food, 9 p.m.).
On a new episode of “Into the Dark” (Hulu, streaming), a woman crosses from the Mexican border to find a frightening America. It’s fiction!
A killer of killers is sought on “Elementary” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
El Gordo introduces Teresa to Russian drug “queenpin” Oksana on “Queen of the South” (USA, 10 p.m.).
Tropical storms hit “Naked and Afraid XL” (Discovery, 9 p.m.).
There’s a last caribou hunt before winter on “Mountain Men: Fully Loaded” (History, 8 p.m.).
Least appealing holiday episode today: “Dr. Pimple Popper” (TLC, 8 p.m.) titled “Red, White & Ewww.”
Turner Classic Movies celebrates the holiday with movies about the Revolution, “John Paul Jones” (2:15 p.m.), “The Devil’s Disciple” (4:30 p.m.), “The Scarlet Coat” (6 p.m.), “Yankee Doodle Dandy” (8 p.m.), “1776” (10:15 p.m.) and two films about small town life, “The Music Man” (1:15 a.m.) and “Ah, Wilderness!” (4 a.m.).
The TCM day begins with three from John Ford, “The Searchers” (7:15 a.m.), “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” (9:30 a.m.) and “Fort Apache” (11:30 a.m.).
Baseball includes Miami at Washington (MLB, 11 a.m.), Cleveland at Kansas City (MLB, 2 p.m.), Cubs at Pittsburgh (ESPN, 4 p.m.), Philadelphia at Atlanta (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and San Diego at Dodgers (MLB, 10 p.m.).
Second round play continues at Wimbledon (ESPN, 6 and 11 a.m.).
And it’s U.S. vs. Chinese Taipei (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) in the USA Softball International Clp.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapps, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, OA.R. The View: Elisabeth Moss (rerun). The Talk: Greg Kenner, Amanda Seales. Ellen DeGeneres: Rob Lowe, Tig Notaro, Jason Sudeikis, Olivia Wilde, Hannah Brown (rerun). Wendy Williams: Elizabeth Vargas, Bryce Vine (rerun). The Real: Christian Siriano, Melanie Liburd, Big Boy (rerun).
Late Talk
All reruns: Stephen Colbert: Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Victor, BTS. Jimmy Kimmel: Seth Rogen, Mike Tyson, Iggy Azalea. Jimmy Fallon: Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Ramy Youssef, Ivan Orkin. Seth Meyers: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Andrew Rannells, Carla Lalli Music. James Corden: Laura Den, Alfonso Cuaron, Beck. Carson Daly: Michel Gondry, Deafheaven, Shannon Purser. Conan O’Brien: Martin Short.