Stars sing on PBS’ ‘Capitol Fourth’

Independence Day brings tradition, fireworks and familiar pop stars to an overlapping array of prime-time celebrations.

Jimmy Smits hosts the 29th annual installment of “A Capitol Fourth” (7 p.m., repeats 8:30 p.m., KSPS), live from Washington, D.C. Crooner Barry Manilow will perform his biggest hits as well as patriotic numbers, making the West Lawn of the Capitol Building the hottest spot north of Havana.

Manilow will be joined by Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, pop star Natasha Bedingfield, the cast of the Four Seasons tribute musical “Jersey Boys” and pianists Michael Feinstein and Andrew von Oeyen. As he has for years, Erich Kunzel directs the National Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to celebrating the republic’s 233rd birthday, “Fourth” salutes 40 years of “Sesame Street” with songs and medleys from furry and feathered favorites, including Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch.

•Pop legend Neil Diamond joins host Craig Ferguson on the “Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular” (10 p.m., CBS).

Diamond, with 37 top-10 hits over five decades, will recall some of these favorites, accompanied by the Pops Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Keith Lockhart.

Look for Diamond to get crackin’ on his “Cracklin’ Rosie” in short order, because the last 21 minutes of the show will be devoted to fireworks.

•Natalie Morales and Tiki Barber anchor coverage of “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular” (9 p.m., NBC), featuring performances by Rob Thomas.

Today’s highlights

“The Twilight Zone” marathon continues through 6 a.m., Sunday on SciFi.

Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford star in the 1983 sequel “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi” (6 and 9 p.m., Spike, TV-PG).

Dogged detective work solves the mystery of the girl next door on “48 Hours Mystery” (8 p.m., CBS).

While on a mission, David learns more about his father’s demise on “Kings” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

Catch the first four episodes of “Nurse Jackie” (8 to 10 p.m., Showtime, r, TV-MA).

A doomed island hosts a lavish wedding on the pilot of “Harper’s Island” (9 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).

Eli and Jordan fight for the recently laid-off on “Eli Stone” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).

The Founding Fathers declare independence and sing, too, in the 1972 adaptation of the Broadway musical “1776” (7:15 p.m., TCM).

Sunday’s highlights

Brooke Shields, who knows a thing or two about childhood stardom, guests on a one-hour episode of “Hannah Montana” (8 p.m., Disney, TV-G).

Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (7 p.m., CBS): repeat profiles of Hero pilot Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and singer Jon Bon Jovi.

Viewers can trawl for crabs during a “Deadliest Catch” (Discovery) marathon from 9 a.m. Sunday through 3 a.m. Monday.

Lancelot comes to the young wizard’s rescue on “Merlin” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).

An antidrug crusader’s killing revisited on “Cold Case” (9 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14,V).

Matt Damon stars in the 2004 thriller sequel “The Bourne Supremacy” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

Julia McKenzie stars in “Miss Marple: A Pocket Full of Rye” on “Masterpiece Mystery” (8 p.m., KSPS).

A matchmaker from Russia vanishes on “Without a Trace” (10 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14,V).

Melodramas roil Robert’s bid for governor on “Brothers & Sisters” (10 p.m., ABC, r, TV-14).