What’s on TV This Week: 4th of July Fireworks and ‘Moonshine’ – The New York Times

Between network, cable, and streaming, the modern television landscape is vast. Here are some of the shows, specials and movies coming to TV this week from July 3rd to July 9th. Details and times are subject to change.

Monday

“WAY TO…” MARATHON several times on TCM. Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour star in the seven films in the ‘Road to…’ series, which are known for their minimal plot and long-lasting high jinks. On Monday night, TCM will broadcast the first three: “Road to Singapore”, “Road to Zanzibar” and “Road to Morocco” from 8 p.m.

Tuesday

MACY’S JULY 4th FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR 8 p.m. on NBC. For nearly five decades, Macy’s has been responsible for the iconic fireworks display that illuminates the New York skyline on Independence Day – and this year is no different. The broadcast also features performances by Ashanti, Brett Young, the Roots and the US Army Field Band.

A CAPITOL FOURTH 8 p.m. on PBS (check local listings). As fireworks fly over Manhattan’s East River, they’ll also go off behind the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Boyz II Men, Renée Fleming and the Muppets are all set to perform on the PBS broadcast.

Wednesday

SARAH MARSHALL FORGOT (2008) 7 p.m. on E! Peter (Jason Segel), a heartbroken puppeteer/musician, meets Rachel (Mila Kunis), a hotel concierge, at a Hawaiian resort. Add to that Peter’s ex (Kristen Bell) and her new rocker boyfriend (Russell Brand), who stay at the same resort, and this rom-com becomes a perfectly hilarious dumpster. The film “doesn’t quite play to the established conventions of its genre,” wrote A. O. Scott in his review for The New York Times. “His willingness to explore states of feeling and modes of behavior that tame romantic comedies never approach is certainly a virtue, though this same sense of boldness and frankness also exposes its limitations.”

HUMAN FOOTPRINT 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings). This six-part series, hosted by Shane Campbell-Staton, a professor at Princeton University, is a travel-meets-science show that discusses the ways humans are transforming the planet – the good and the bad parts.

Thursday

FORREST GUMP (1994) 8 p.m. on Paramount. Although classified as a ‘comedy’, this movie packs an emotional punch. The story follows Forrest (Tom Hanks) who can do pretty much anything he sets his mind to – except win over his childhood sweetheart, Jenny (Robin Wright). “Forrest Gump, structured like Forrest’s autobiography, and centered around his lifelong love for an elusive beauty named Jenny, has the elements of an emotionally gripping story,” wrote Janet Maslin in her review for The Times. “Yet it feels less like a romance than a coffee table book celebrating the magic of special effects.”

Friday

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (2006) 7 p.m. on VH1. Andy (Anne Hathaway) abandons her journalism dreams to take a job as an assistant to Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), the editor-in-chief of a glamorous fashion magazine. Come for Paris outfits and shots; stay for Stanley Tucci’s amazing line about “gird up your loins.” If you want to spice up your movie watching experience, take a sip of your drink every time someone says “a million girls would kill for this job” – by the end of the movie you’ll be very well hydrated.

MOONSHINE 9 p.m. on The CW. This Canadian comedy is like reading an Elin Hilderbrand beach read and mixing a little bit of “Succession” into it. The story follows Bea and Ken Finley-Cullen as they try to decide if one of their individualistic children is ready to take over their summer resort business that could use some love. There’s small town drama, illegal businesses and secrets people try to keep hidden.

Saturday

1982: THE BIGGEST YEAR OF GEEK EVER 8 p.m. on the CW. In 1982, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was released, “Cats” premiered on Broadway, and the first episode of “Late Night with David Letterman” debuted on NBC. This CW documentary features those big pop culture moments and interviews with writers, producers, and directors from that year’s blockbusters, including “ET,” “Blade Runner,” and “Poltergeist.”

Sunday

LAST CALL 9 p.m. on HBO. In New York City in the 1990s, as the LGBTQ community was coping with the AIDS crisis and hate crimes, a serial killer known as the “last call killer” emerged. His name comes from his pattern of luring intoxicated men out of piano bars before committing suicide. This documentary focuses on the entrenched discrimination that existed within the criminal justice system and how the community had to work to ensure that the NYPD took the crimes seriously.

LUANN & SONJA: WELCOME TO CRAPPIE LAKE 9 p.m. on Bravo. With the help of two “Real Housewives of New York City,” Bravo adds another reality show to its roster. In a modern version of “The Simple Life,” Luann de Lesseps and Sonja Morgan head to Benton, Illinois after the city council invites them to revive the town of 7,000.

SEE IT LOUD: THE HISTORY OF BLACK TELEVISION 9 p.m. on CNN. This docu-series, produced by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, explores the 80-year journey of black television, featuring shows like “Amos N’ Andy,” “The Jeffersons,” and “Roots.” The series also features interviews with Gabrielle Union, Sherri Shepherd, Jimmie Walker and others.