Hot air! Thin skin! Round! Unpredictability of how things will fall!
The balloon drop shares a lot with the nominee at the Republican National Convention (MSNBC, 5 p.m.; Fox News, 6 p.m.; CNN, CSPAN, 7 p.m.; PBS, 8 p.m.; ABC, CBS, NBC, 10 p.m.), who will make his big speech tonight.
Who else is speaking? The daughter he’s made inappropriate comments about, Ivanka Trump; a couple of venture capitalists; Jerry Falwell Jr.; Reince Prebus; and some women: U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn and Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin among them.
Mostly it will way too much material for a second live convention “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 11 p.m.) with guests Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsome, Heather McGhee and Robert Reich. (If it’s like Wednesday’s show, it only starts when the convention is over, so give your DVR some leeway).
Live tonight as well for the first time will be “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central, 11 p.m.) which has been strong this week from Cleveland, as has been “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS, 11:35 p.m.), going live but from New York. His guests tonight should be particularly outspoken: Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Billy Eichner.
It’s not the only big convention happening though. There’s special night one coverage on “Syfy Presents Live from Comic-Con” (Syfy, 8 p.m.) from San Diego, where “Conan” (TBS, 11 p.m.) has been broadcasting live. His guests tonight are Nick Kroll, Atephen Amell, Grant Gustin, Melissa Benoist and Weird Al Yankovic.
Non-political bouts are also scheduled on “BattleBots” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
“Bones” (Fox, 8 p.m.) reaches its 11th season finale with a search for a serial killer who turns his victims into marionettes.
A winner will be named on the two hour season finale of “Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge” (NBC, 8 p.m.). Then off to Rio, I suppose.
The season is over for the survivalists of “Alone” (History, 9 p.m.) but they get a reunion show just like the housewives.
The absorbing five-part series “Thirteen” (BBC America, 6 p.m.) winds up, with answers.
Another eviction comes tonight on “Big Brother” (CBS, 8 p.m.) where it looks like Tiffany will be going, unless she can muster the votes to get Da’Vonne out. And Natalie will sit there like a deer. And then do a cartwheel.
On “Greatest Hits” (ABC, Boyz II Men, Montell Jordan, Seal and Bonnie Raitt sing their hits from the early 90s, but they have to bring in Alessia Cara to do U2’s “One” and Little Big Town to do Oasis’ “Wonderwall.”
Only four contestants remain on “Home Free” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Cat tries to prove she can be trusted on “Beauty and the Beast” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
Ava plans her solo debut on “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” (FX, 10 p.m.).
John Oliver climbs in with Jerry Seinfeld for “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” (Crackle, streaming).
The “America in the 70s” focus continues on Turner Classic Movies continues with “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” (8 p.m.), “Dog Day Afternoon” (10 p.m.), “Saturday Night Fever” (12:15 a.m.), “Shaft” (2:30 a.m.) and “The French Connection” (4:15 a.m.).
Baseball includes Tampa Bay at Oakland (MLB, 11 p.m.).
The WNBA has Indiana at New York (NBA, 11 a.m.).
Stage 18 of the Tour de France (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.) is a steep one that returns to France from Switzerland on a course from Sallanches to Megeve.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Seth Meyers, Tony Goldwyn. The View: Paula Faris. The Talk: Mario Lopez, Ellen K, Ruth B. Ellen DeGeneres: Elton John (rerun). The Real: Tamela and David Mann. Meredith Vieira: Ashley Judd, Jewel (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Billy Eichner, Cory Kahaney. Jimmy Kimmel: Viggo Mortensen, George Lopez, Colin Hay. Jimmy Fallon: Alicia Vikander, Celine Dion. Seth Meyers: Leslie Jones, Carlo Mirarchi, Atom Willard. James Corden: Chris Pine, Imogen Poots. Carson Daly: Garfunkel & Oates, Zella Day, Mercedes Mason (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Doris Meissner, Roberto Suro. Trevor Noah: Alex Wagner. Larry Wilmore: Salman Rushdie. Conan O’Brien: Nick Kroll, Stephen Amell, Grant Gustin, Melissa Benoist, Weird Al Yankovic.