The costly pageantry and military overkill usually only seen in authoritarian countries (and an event that we’re told has nothing to do with the president’s birthday) rolls down the National Mall today, possibly during a thunderstorm.
But as big a deal that they’re making out of the U.S. Army 250th Anniversary Parade (CNN, MSNBC, CSPAN, 6:30 p.m.), the broadcast networks aren’t making space in their sports-filled Saturday night lineups to cover it live.
Instead, the $40 million parade will have coverage chiefly on the cable news networks, where if there’s any balance at all, they will also make time for the more than 2,000 No Kings protests today in all 50 states that will draw far more people.
The new made-for-TV romance “To Barcelona, Forever” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) with Alison Sweeney, Ashley Williams and Alejandro Tous, is a sequel to the film that premiered last Saturday “Barcelona, With Love” (Hallmark, 6 p.m.).
Another woman gets abducted and shut away in the made-for-TV thriller “Girl in the Attic” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), starring Sophia Carriere.
“Somebody’s Son” (OWN, 9 p.m.) has a family day in the first of two new episodes.
Vacation season may just be starting, but it’s the season finale for “Vacation House Rules” (HGTV, 8 p.m.).
The British action thriller “Cleaner” (HBO, 8 p.m.) with Daisy Ridley, Taz Skylar and Clive Owen, makes its premium cable debut.
On “Family or Fiancé” (OWN, 8 p.m.), a marriage proposal is overshadowed by a girl’s father, who jumps in the pool.
Some one is caught carrying ants on “To Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.).
Brian Tyree Henry picks the films on Turner Classic movies tonight. His choices are: “Imitation of Life” (8 p.m.) and “The Learning Tree” (10:15 p.m.). The midnight noir is “Crack-Up” (12:15 a.m.), followed by two Westerns from the 70s, “Man in the Wilderness” (2:15 a.m.) and “The Deadly Trackers” (4:15 a.m.). The midday musical is “Where the Boys Are” (noon).
Baseball includes Cincinnati at Detroit (MLB, 1 p.m.), St. Louis at Milwaukee (Fox Sports 1, 4 p.m.), Yankees at Boston (Fox, 7:15 p.m.) and San Francisco at Dodgers (MLB, 10 p.m.).
Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals has Florida at Edmonton (TNT, 8 p.m.), with the series tied 2-2.
WNBA action has Los Angeles at Minnesota (CBS, 1 p.m.) and New York at Indiana (ABC, 3 p.m.).
There is third round play in the U.S. Open (USA, 10 a.m.; NBC, noon).
Motor sports includes the Chilango 150 (CW, 4:30 p.m.) and the Berlin ARCA 200 (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.).
United Football League’s championship game has D.C. vs. Michigan (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Canadian football has Calgary at Toronto (CBS Sports, 4 p.m.) and Saskatchewan at Hamilton (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.).
Professional lacrosse has New York vs. Maryland (ABC, 1 p.m.).
It’s U.S. vs. Slovakia (CBS Sports, 12:30 p.m.) in men’s nations league volleyball.
The Men’s College World Series continues with Murray State vs. UCLA (ESPN, 2 p.m.) and LSU vs. Arkansas (ESPN, 7 p.m.).
College outdoor track and field championships (ESPN2, 9 p.m.) has women’s second day events.
In soccer, the FIFA Club World Cup season begins with Al Ahly vs. Inter Miami (TBS, 8 p.m.). In the CONCACAF Gold Cup, it’s Mexico vs. Dominican Republic (Fox Sports 1, 10 p.m.).
There is also AVP Beach Volleyball (CW, 8 p.m.).
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 11:30 p.m.) reruns the Jack Black episode from April with Elton John and Brandi
Carlile.