Look for star-spangled performances

Look for star-spangled performances

weekend tv

By Joel Brown

New York Times Syndicate

The Fourth of July isn't as much of a TV holiday as, say, Thanksgiving or New Year's Eve. But for those of us who can't be outside enjoying our own fireworks and barbecue, or for those who live where it's raining, the tube's celebrations can offer a sense of community.

Up here in Boston, for weeks we were titillated with the possibility that hometown heroes Aerosmith would guest on the Boston Pops' annual July 4 spectacular by the Charles River.

Logistics killed that plan, and now we're jumping several rungs down the ladder of musical celebrity to David Lee Roth.

Fortunately, Jennifer Holliday is also along for the ride with conductor Keith Lockhart and the orchestra, and there will be the usual patriotic singalongs and the usual awesome fireworks display over the Charles during the concluding "1812 Overture." What's not to like?

"The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular" will be telecast nationwide on CBS from 10 to 11 p.m.

A somewhat hipper but by no means more fun event airs on NBC from 9 to 10 p.m., with "The Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular: Beneath a Summer Sky," which should lose points for that cumbersome title alone. Carson Daly hosts from New York, and the performers include "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino and Sheryl Crow - and there's an appearance by Donald Trump.

At 8:30, KSPS offers "A Capitol Fourth," with the National Symphony Orchestra, Vince Gill, Amy Grant and host Barry Bostwick, from Washington.

Even those networks that opt out of the fireworks have red, white and blue programs to offer, in their own way.

ABC, a network that appears to be in deep trouble, offers its 2003 version of "The Music Man," with Matthew Broderick and Kristin Chenoweth, at 7. At 10, the network follows with "An American Celebration at Ford's Theatre," with Patti LaBelle, Gary Sinise and Jessica Simpson, among many more.

What could be more American than Jessica Simpson?

Fox, never loath to blow stuff up, has the Will Smith-vs.-the- aliens thriller "Independence Day" (1996) at 7.

I guess you could say ESPN is also being patriotic, with baseball's "All-Star Selection Show" at 4, with the White Sox at Cubs game, a Chicago cross-town rivalry, at 5. Fun.

Highlights

NASCAR racing, Fox tonight at 7: The Nextel Cup Pepsi 400 from Daytona, Fla.

Disappointing movies, tonight at 8: The dismal "Legend of Bagger Vance" (2000) with Matt Damon and Will Smith on ABC, Mel Gibson's bloody "The Patriot" (2000) on CBS, or the sordid John Travolta thriller "The General's Daughter" (1999) on NBC - followed by reality show "Crime & Punishment" at 10.

Is this how you want to spend a summer Saturday night?

"MAD TV," Fox tonight at 11: Repeat with guests Andy Dick and Mya.

"Saturday Night Live," NBC tonight at 11:30: Repeat with host Andy Roddick and musical guest Dave Matthews.

"60 Minutes," CBS Sunday at 7.

"Dateline," NBC Sunday at 7.

"Crossing Jordan," NBC Sunday at 10: A kidnapping suspect is murdered, so where's the kidnapee? Repeat.

Family Fare

"Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch" (2002), WB Sunday at 8: A dog joins the middle school baseball team.

Cable Cast

"Reservoir Dogs" (1992), Bravo tonight at 8: Quentin Tarantino's nasty little crime masterpiece, with Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth and many more. Is it sacrilege to say I like this better than "Pulp Fiction" (1994)?

"Phone Booth" (2002), HBO tonight at 10:30: A sniper traps Colin Farrell in the titular public convenience, then calls him up and wants to talk. A cinematic stunt that has its moments.

With Forest Whitaker, Katie Holmes and the scary voice of Kiefer Sutherland coming out of the receiver.

"Flip Wilson Show" marathon, TVLand Sunday at 7: The devil made them do it!

"Six Feet Under," HBO Sunday at 8: Repeat of the season's first three episodes in a row.

"Calling All Sharks," MSNBC Sunday at 8: A "National Geographic Ultimate Explorer" installment follows filmmaker Bob Cranston as he experiments with sound to attract Great White sharks to his cameras.

"O Brother, Where Art Thou?" (2000), TBS Sunday at 8: George Clooney and some great music topline the Coen Brothers' Depression- era fantasia. Repeats at 10.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" (2003), Starz Sunday at 9: No one expected this special effects-laden comedy- drama to be quite as much fun as it is, owing in large part to Johnny Depp's witty pirate performance, channeling Keith Richards. Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley also star.

"The Dead Zone," USA Sunday at 10: Is Johnny just paranoid? Or is someone after him?

There's a woman involved, and we know she's a rebel because she wears a hoodie.

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