Entertainment
Fourth of July: What to Watch this Holiday Weekend
Independence Day falls on a Thursday this year, which means a glorious four-day holiday weekend for hard-working Americans. And for many celebrating the holiday, that means four days full of beaches, barbecues, and fireworks. But there are some of us who prefer to spend the weekend really relaxing — by not leaving the couch. Television lovers, here's a list of marathons will be airing this weekend, ensuring that you never even have to lift the remote.
Celebrating the Couch Potato In Us All
Independence Day falls on a Thursday this year, which means a glorious four-day holiday weekend for hard-working Americans. And for many celebrating the holiday, that means four days full of beaches, barbecues, and fireworks. But there are some of us who prefer to spend the weekend really relaxing — by not leaving the couch. Television lovers, here's a list of marathons will be airing this weekend, ensuring that you never even have to lift the remote.
A&E: 'The First 48' & 'Storage Wars'
A&E is taking you on a tour across America over the course of two days. On Thursday, you'll see our glorious nation through the eyes of police officers investigating real-life crimes. And your tour will continue Friday, when you'll get to see how storage units vary from state to state with a Storage Wars marathon set in New York and Texas. Image: A&E
ABC Family: 'National Treasure'
Probably the most fitting marathon on television, ABC Family will be playing both National Treasure movies on Thursday, twice. Just in case the fireworks weren't crazy enough this July 4th, the network is offering you a double dose of Nicolas Cage. Image: Disney
AMC: 'The Walking Dead'
Lots and lots of it. AMC is having a marathon of The Walking Dead from Thursday, July 4 to Saturday, July 6. That's three full days of zombies. But, hey, AMC is just getting you prepared: The network is calling the marathon the "Season 4 Preview Weekend" — no matter that Season 4 doesn't actually premiere until October. But who doesn't crave something that puts the red in red, white, and blue on July 4? Image: AMC
Cinemax: 'Die Hard'
Cinemax will celebrate the fourth a day late, with its July 5 Die Hard marathon. Starting at 3:30 p.m. the first three movies will air. Admittedly, it is odd that the network is skipping Live Free or Die Hard — since that one is set on Independence Day — but hey, it also wasn't very good. It's much better to stick to the original and celebrate Christmas in July. Image: 20th Century Fox
Encore: 'Back to the Future' & Bruce Willis
On the fourth, Starz Encore will play the entire Back to the Future trilogy, three times in a row. So you should be able to catch your favorite at least once. (If your favorite is the Western III, you are wrong.) Then, on Saturday, the channel is having a marathon of Bruce Willis movies, but shockingly, not a single Die Hard. But, then again, presumably Cinemax already gave you your fill. Image: Universal
History Channel: 'Pawn Stars'
You'd be right to assume that History Channel would exclusively air something, well, historical in honor of Independence Day. But you'd be wrong. After 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, History Channel will air eight straight hours of bartering, fighting, and disappointment on Pawn Stars.
MTV & Vh1: Actual Music & 'Buckwild'
For all of the haters who say MTV and Vh1 don't play music anymore, the networks are proving you wrong — sort of. Both will only air music from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 4. Then, they'll segue back into their usual garbage. On Saturday, MTV will also air a Buckwild marathon, presumably to remind us just how far MTV has come. Image: MTV
Style: 'Tia & Tamera'
Don't get too excited: Style is not airing a marathon of Sister, Sister repeats (though they really should). Instead, the network is airing a marathon of the twins' reality show. We'll save you a few hours: They both have really cute babies, they don't switch places anymore, and they never say "go home Roger." Image: Style Network
Syfy: 'The Twilight Zone'
Do you prefer your holidays more freaky than fun? Syfy has you covered with a July 4 marathon of Rod Serling's classic, The Twilight Zone. Episodes will air nonstop from Thursday at 8 a.m. to Friday at 6 a.m. So you have all the time in the world to enjoy them. Image: Syfy
TLC: 'Here Comes Honey Boo Boo' & Tons of Weddings
TLC is airing two marathons this weekend: one that celebrates the 4th and another that celebrates a coincidence. On July 4, there will be a day-long Here Comes Honey Boo Boo marathon, because nothing says America like a steaming plate of roadkill. The next day will be filled with TLC's assortment of wedding shows. Since every Friday is "bride day" on TLC, this isn't exactly a holiday marathon, but at least one of the weddings is bound to feature some fireworks. Image: TLC
TNT: 'Castle'
What's more exciting than watching 10 straight hours of Castle on the fourth of July? Basically anything. But if you're so inclined, the marathon starts at 10 a.m. For those who need a little more excitement, when the marathon ends at 8 p.m., TNT will air The Fast & The Furious. Image: ABC
USA: 'NCIS' & 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'
Would you expect anything less from USA? To celebrate Independence Day, the network is having a "Stars, Stripes and Badges Marathon" — a name is one way to differentiate this marathon from the one USA has every other day of the year. If you're interested in four days of procedural drama, there will be an NCIS marathon Thursday, followed by a Law & Order: SVU marathon on Friday and Saturday, ending with another NCIS marathon Sunday. It's the only way to have a bloody good holiday weekend. Image: USA
