She was so glamorous, even as a little girl, that she got her first starring role in Hollywood by just walking into the studio. The fascinating Hollywood documentary “Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes” (HBO, 8 p.m.) tells the story of the glittering star in her own words during a late night interviewer in 1964 (with a Dominick Dunne interview later in her life covering the rest of her story).
Part of what she accomplishes is not only delineating her five marriages but explaining them — pushed into marriage by publicity agents as a teen; going for an older men after; with relationships ended by death. Well illustrated with crucial clips through her storied career, there are also a lot of shots of a reel to reel tape recorder spinning, but what she has to say is often compelling.
The story of a popular sports and comedy team is told in the documentary “Dude Perfect: A Very Long Shot,” making its premiere on “30 for 30” (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.)
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony (ESPN, NFL, noon) from Canton, Ohio, brings in Dwight Freeney, Randy Gradishar, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Steve McMichael, Julius Peppers and Patrick Willis.
When it comes to sports, though, it will be hard to top “Primetime in Paris: The Olympics” (NBC, 8 p.m.), which tonight features the women’s 100-meter sprint finals and medals for the 4 x 400-meter relay and decathlon.
Polar bears and wolverines and other mammals who can survive the cold are explored on “Mammals” (BBC America, 8 p.m.).
Autumn Reeder stars as a floundering woman who starts getting advice from an 8-year-old version of herself that suddenly starts to appear. The made-for-TV romance “Junebug” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) also stars Aaron O’Connell.
The other original film “I Thought My Husband’s Wife Was Dead” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.) involves an expectant mother who is interrupted by a ghost from her past. Sherilyn Allen, LeToya Luckett and Jamail Johnson star.
When it comes to “Shark vs. Ross Edgley” (Nat Geo Wild, 9 p.m.), I’m betting on the fish.
An abandoned house in California is investigated on “Ghost Adventures” (Travel, 10 p.m.).
John Wayne îs featured all day on Turner Classic Movies’ Summer Under the Stars with “Ride Him, Cowboy” (6 a.m.), “The Telegraph Trail” (7 a.m.), “The Man from Monterey” (8 a.m.), “Randy Rides Alone” (9 a.m.), “Flying Leathernecks” (10 a.m.), “Stagecoach” (noon), “Fort Apache” (1:45 p.m.), “The Train Robbers” (4 p.m.), “McLintock!” (5:45 p.m.), “The Sons of Katie Elder” (8 p.m.), “Red River” (10:15 p.m.), “Legend of the Lost” (12:45 a.m.), “Angel and the Badman” (2:45 a.m.) and “Tall in the Saddle” (4:30 a.m.).
Baseball includes Baltimore at Cleveland (Fox, 7 p.m.).
Motor sports include the British Grand Prix Sprint Race (TruTV, 9:30 a.m.) and the Shore Launch 250 (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.).
Canadian football has Edmonton at Saskatchewan (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.).
Horse racing has the Whitney Stakes (Fox, 3 p.m.).
“Austin City Limits” (PBS, 11 p.m., check local listings) repeats a show on Spoon.