What to Watch: June 30 - July 6
FRIDAY, JULY 4 (Independence Day TV Rundown)
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular -- 9/8c on NBC
It’s no Thanksgiving Day Parade or anything, but the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular has history too. And in the spirit of history, music stars of today will take to the stage, including American Idol starlets Katharine McPhee and Jordin Sparks, pop singers Natasha Bedingfield and Gavin DeGraw (pictured), and country god/former Mr. Renee Zellweger Kenny Chesney. Today Show personalities Tiki Barber and Natalie Morales anchor the coverage.
ALSO…
Capitol Fourth -- 8/7c on PBS (Re-Airs at 9:30/8:30c)
For a more laidback, traditional FOJ celebration, tune in to PBS, with actor Jimmy Smits emceeing the proceedings from Capitol Hill. Grayer musical acts like American Idol champ Taylor Hicks (take that, McPhee and Sparks!), Huey Lewis and the News, and Jerry Lee Lewis perform, along with the National Symphony Orchestra to help lull you to sleep.
ALSO…
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular -- 10/9c on CBS
CBS serves up the best host of all these Independence Day fireworks spectaculars, Craig Ferguson, but Rascal Flatts performing with Boston Pops doesn’t quite get the job done musically. Not that the other networks’ lineups are any better, but still.
ALSO...
4th of July Live! -- 9/8c on Travel
This really might be everyone’s best option of the night: a no-frills, celeb-free, half-hour fireworks show from the National Mall in Washington, D.C. And after listening to fireworks sporadically shooting off throughout the day and night from our homes, do we really need to then watch them on TV for more than 30 minutes?!