— A television tradition for 39 years, "A Capitol Fourth" (8 p.m., PBS, TV-G, check local listings) presents music and fireworks from the grounds of the U.S. Capitol Building. John Stamos hosts a cast of performers that includes singer/songwriter Carole King.
Look for a 50th anniversary salute to "Sesame Street," and, of course, a celebration of our country’s 243rd birthday.
— Somewhat north of the Potomac, Derek Hough and Ciara host "Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular" (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG) featuring an enormous pyrotechnic display and musical performances by Luke Bryan, Khalid, Maren Morris, Brad Paisley and others.
— Long a staple on CBS, the live broadcast of the "Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular" (8 p.m., TV-G) can be found on Bloomberg.
— For those who celebrate their country’s birthday with country music, the "Let Freedom Sing Concert" (10 p.m., CMT, TV-PG) comes live from downtown Nashville. Brett Eldredge and Cody Alan host.
— Among the many TV marathons airing today, WGN offers viewers two solid days of "JAG" (9 a.m., TV-PG) repeats. The marathon announces the debut of the military legal procedural on the WGN lineup on weekdays at 4 p.m.
As network series go, "JAG" falls into the category of the one that got away. It originally aired on NBC, but that network canceled it after the 1995-6 season. CBS picked it up, and it ran there for an additional nine years, spinning into syndication and appearing in 90 countries. Its most lasting legacy is its spin-off, "NCIS," which long ranked as the most-watched drama on network TV.
— A combination of 1980s nostalgia, adolescent hijinks and scary monsters, "Stranger Things" enters its third mind-bending season on Netflix.
Even if you’ve watched both seasons, there’s a lot to remember. I highly recommend the 15-minute Youtube recap, created by Netflix and starring several members of the cast.
While season three promises much strangeness, the greatest uncertainty is how we will react to cast favorites as they progress deeper into their teenage years. It’s a rare series that remains popular when cute adolescent characters morph before our eyes. It’s a TV tradition that dates back at least to "Leave It to Beaver" and affected "Malcolm in the Middle" in its later seasons. "Modern Family" lingered on well beyond its kids’ adorable phases.
— We hold these truths to be self-evident, that not all reality programming is created equal. "Dr. Pimple Popper: Red, White & Ewww, Part 2" (8 p.m., TLC) asks viewers to declare their independence from the unsightly.
TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
— Alessandra Ambrosio guest-judges on "MasterChef" (8 p.m., Fox, r, TV-14).
— Miniature golf and maximum distraction on "Holey Moley" (8 p.m. ABC, r, TV-PG).
— Three helpings of "Planet Earth: Yellowstone" (8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., BBC America, r, TV-G).
— Hallmark commemorates the holiday with a "4th of July Wedding Movie Countdown" (8 p.m., TV-G).
— Siblings wield spatulas on "Family Food Fight" (9 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG).
— Dean Cain hosts "The Top 10 Greatest Animal Movies of All Time" (9 p.m., CW, r, TV-PG)
— A thief among thieves has his life stolen on "Elementary" (10 p.m., CBS, TV-PG).
— A former thief returns to her seaside home town on the pilot episode of "Reef Break" (10 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG).
CULT CHOICE
Director Wes Anderson ("Fantastic Mr. Fox") returns to stop-motion animation in the 2018 fantasy "Isle of Dogs" (8:25 HBO Family).
SERIES NOTES
On two helpings of "The Big Bang Theory" (CBS, r, TV-PG), lessons of youth (8 p.m.), paintball (9 p.m.) … A brat’s brain tastes spoiled on "iZombie" (8 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) … A bully looms on "Young Sheldon" (8:30 p.m., CBS, r, TV-PG).
Dax Shepard hosts "Spin the Wheel" (9 p.m., Fox, r, TV-PG) … Gambling woes on "Mom" (9:30 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).
LATE NIGHT
"The Daily Show With Trevor Noah" (11 p.m., Comedy Central) presents "The Beast of Special" … Martin Short appears on "Conan" (11 p.m., TBS, r) … Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor and BTS are booked on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" (11:35 p.m., CBS, r) … Jimmy Fallon welcomes Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Ramy Youssef and Ivan Orkin on "The Tonight Show" (11:35 p.m., NBC, r) … Seth Rogen, Mike Tyson and Iggy Azalea appear on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (11:35 p.m., ABC).
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Andrew Rannells and Carla Lalli Music visit "Late Night With Seth Meyers" (12:35 a.m., NBC, r) … Laura Dern, Alfonso Cuaron and Beck appear on "The Late Late Show With James Corden" (12:35 a.m., CBS, r).
