Neal Justin's TV picks for July 4: 'Yankee Doodle Dandy,' 'The Words That Built America,' 'A Capitol Fourth'

July 3, 2017 at 5:32PM
FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2017 file photo, John Stamos arrives at the People's Choice Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Stamos will host the annual July Fourth concert outside the U.S. Capitol and pull double duty as the drummer for the Beach Boys. Organizers of the concert announced the lineup Tuesday, June 6, 2017. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Stamos (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Locker room talk

NFL fans are well aware of the aftermath in "All or Nothing: A Season With the Los Angeles Rams," but they'll still be riveted by the raw, often R-rated behind-the-scenes action. The photography is sharper than anything you'll see on ESPN highlights, although not even the sharpest cinematographer could mask the sight of coach Jeff Fisher aging at light speed.

Now streaming on Amazon Prime

Required reading

Listening to folks read every single word of the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights may sound like a punishment for the Breakfast Club, but "The Words That Built America" has the kind of speaker list that will keep you wide awake — and maybe even a little verklempt. Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman and all of the living presidents are among the big names doing their civic duty.

6 p.m. HBO

Full house

Watching fireworks on TV may not be the most patriotic way to celebrate the holiday. On the other hand, mosquitoes and traffic tend to be less of a problem in your living room. "A Capitol Fourth" helps ease any guilt pangs by recruiting Minnesota native Laura Osnes to perform alongside the U.S. Army Band. John Stamos hosts.

7 p.m. TPT, Ch. 2

Neal Justin

Barack Obama and Alexandra Pelosi talk during the filming of "The Words That Built America."
photo:courtesy of HBO
Barack Obama and Alexandra Pelosi talk during the filming of “The Words That Built America.” (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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