Audacious women
When “Legally Blonde” came out in 2001, its lead character, Elle Woods, inspired women to look at their shallow ex-boyfriends and ask about their achievements (“What? Like it’s hard?”) Now, viewers will get a bit more of the lead character’s origin story in the new prequel series “Elle.” Elle Woods (Lexi Minetree) navigates high school politics while managing her own adolescence in this series set in 1995. The original Elle Woods, Reese Witherspoon, signed on to the project as an executive producer, and the series will feature James Van Der Beek’s final onscreen role before his death, in February. The season’s eight episodes will air together. Begins streaming Wednesday on Prime Video.
Starting in 1977, Robin Byrd made waves on “The Robin Byrd Show,” her call-in TV program on the New York City public access Channel J. On each episode she wore her signature black crocheted bikini and entertained viewers and guests, who often included porn stars and strippers. Throughout the show’s over-20-year run (it ended in 1998), Byrd also became an advocate of safe sex during the AIDS epidemic as well as a vocal supporter of free speech and critic of censorship. The documentary “Bang My Box: The Robin Byrd Story” includes interviews with Byrd reflecting on her life and legacy. Tuesday at 9 p.m. on HBO and streaming on HBO Max.
Next-Door horror
Netflix has been rolling out its “worst ever” documentary anthology series — first with “Worst Roommate Ever” and “Worst Ex Ever” and now “Worst Neighbor Ever.” This iteration uses police body camera footage and interviews to outline the horrific things that can happen when you live next door to the wrong people. All four episodes will be released together. Begins streaming Wednesday on Netflix.
Independence Day programming
In addition to this summer being the United States’ 250th birthday, it is also a summer of sports, with with the W.N.B.A. in its 30th season and the FIFA World Cup underway. “Gamechangers: America’s Top 25 Female Athletes” combines those interests by celebrating some national treasures. This special features the W.N.B.A. championship winner Sue Bird and the FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Alex Morgan alongside gold medalists, comedians and sports commentators. Begins streaming Tuesday on the Roku Channel.
The Peanuts mini-series “This Is America, Charlie Brown,” premiered in 1988 and followed the Peanuts characters as they dropped into important moments in U.S. history, including the creation of the Constitution and a visit to the Smithsonian. The show is coming to streaming along with “The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show.” Begins streaming Friday on Apple TV.
Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen have no need for their usual New Year’s Eve parkas and hats this week. For “Independence Eve -Live With Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen,” the two will be live from Times Square, drinking beer and anticipating some sort of ball drop alternative while hosting a lineup of surprise guests. Friday at 8 p.m. on CNN.
Starting early on the Fourth of July, the main event of the Sail4th 250 celebration, the International Parade of Sail will begin from the Port of New York and New Jersey, where dozens of tall ships from many countries will sail under the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, past the Statue of Liberty and up the Hudson River. Dozens of U.S. and allied naval vessels will also be anchored along the route and 200 planes, led by the Navy’s Blue Angels, will fly in formation over the parade, which is part of the Fleet Week celebration, which was delayed to coincide with the Fourth. From Governors Island, Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin will host the TV coverage in English; Carlos Calderón and Lourdes Stephen will anchor Spanish language commentary. Saturday, starting at 7 a.m. on NBC and Peacock, and starting at 8 a.m. on Telemundo.
One could argue that there is no better way to celebrate this country than ingesting large amounts of a food as American as apple pie. That’s what’s on tap in the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, broadcast from the original Nathan’s restaurant on Coney Island. The women’s competition will begin at 11 a.m. and the men’s around noon. Begins streaming at 10:45 a.m. on ESPN.
Live from downtown in the country music capital, Ryan Seacrest is hosting Nashville’s Star-Spangled Bash, a night full of performances by stars including Nick Jonas, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, the All-American Rejects and others. Saturday at 8 p.m. on ABC and FX; available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu.
The Great American Block Party will feature performances from all around the country but will center on Washington, with Zac Brown Band, Jon Batiste, Goo Goo Dolls and the War and Treaty set to perform. The night will end with what CBS is calling “the largest fireworks show in history.” Saturday at 8 p.m. on CBS.
And back in New York, Macy’s is hosting its annual 4th of July Fireworks show, with the pyrotechnic display being set off from the Brooklyn Bridge, the South Street Seaport area and Jersey City. The fireworks are set to begin at 9:25 p.m. with a 25 minute show. Begins streaming Saturday at 8 p.m. on NBC and Peacock.
