July 4 weekend viewing: Fireworks and marathons
Twitter
Google
The July 4 weekend means picnics, barbecues and fireworks shows -- which means you probably won't be inside watching television.
But if it rains, or it's too hot, and you find yourself indoors for whatever reason, the nation's TV programmers have you in mind. A mix of marathons and Independence Day-themed programming -- like the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, at noon Saturday on ESPN -- will fill the airwaves all weekend. Here are some highlights (all times Eastern).
Fireworks shows
PBS will broadcast "A Capitol Fourth" from the National Mall in Washington at 8 p.m. Saturday (check your local listings). The National Symphony Orchestra will be joined by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow and Natasha Bedingfield; Jimmy Smits hosts.
At 9, NBC will air the "Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular" from New York. "Today's" Natalie Morales and Tiki Barber are your hosts, and performers include Jewel, Rob Thomas and the cast of "West Side Story."
Not to be outdone, CBS has the "Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular" at 10. Craig Ferguson is hosting, and Neil Diamond is scheduled to perform.
Marathons
Sci Fi: Save for a couple hours of infomercials early Saturday morning, you can watch "The Twilight Zone" (both the classic Rod Serling episodes and some from the mid-'80s revival of the show) nonstop from now until 6 a.m. Sunday.
TCM: A thematically appropriate day of movies starts at 10 a.m. Saturday with the 1940 Revolutionary War film "The Howards of Virginia" and concludes with "1776" at 10:15 p.m.
Discovery: It's all "Deadliest Catch" all the time through Sunday, with marathons starting at 9 a.m. and running into the wee hours each day.
USA: James Bond movies fill the day Saturday, beginning with Sean Connery and "Dr. No" at 9 a.m. and running through Daniel Craig and "Casino Royale" at 8 p.m.
Comedy Central: It's a stand-up weekend. Specials from George Lopez, Dane Cook, Aisha Tyler, Demetri Martin, Dave Chappelle and many others will be mixed in with episodes of the stand-up showcase "Comedy Central Presents."
Travel Channel: The channel goes "Extreme" for 13 hours Saturday with shows including "Extreme Mindblowing Hotels," "Extreme Pools," "Extreme Restaurants" and even "Extreme Bathrooms."
The N: "Degrassi," "Degrassi" and more "Degrassi." There's nothing else on The N until Monday.
Follow Zap2it on Twitter for the latest TV, movie and celebrity news.
Related:
PICS: Bargain-bin holiday flicks
they might as well rename the n and call it the degr***i network