‘Live 8’ offers a global perspective
As viewers settle into that most American of holidays, the Fourth of July weekend, prime time takes on a decidedly international flavor. “Live 8: A Worldwide Concert” (8 p.m. tonight, ABC) offers highlights of charity concerts taking place in Philadelphia, London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Toronto, South Africa, Tokyo and Moscow. Featured artists include Paul McCartney, U2 and Coldplay.
“Live 8” is intended to raise awareness of poverty in Africa and to encourage the leaders of the G8 nations (meeting from Wednesday to Friday in Scotland) to eliminate Third World debt, increase aid to Africa and change trade policies to help developing nations.
While “Live 8” can be compared to past charity concerts, including “Live Aid,” “Farm Aid” and the “We Are the World” ensemble recording, it may be remembered more for its use of new media than its message. In addition to this ABC coverage, “Live 8” will be streamed continually at www.aolmusic.com, where it will be available on demand for six weeks. MTV, VH1 and MTV’s college network, MTVu, will also offer a shared feed of concert highlights from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.
In other international news, The Outdoor Life Network kicks off more than 300 hours of coverage of the 2005 Tour de France bicycle race. American cyclist Lance Armstrong will be going for an unprecedented seventh consecutive victory.
He has also announced that this run will be his last, making this year’s Tour de France the most anticipated in the race’s 92-year history. Live coverage begins at 5:30 a.m. today. Outdoor Life will be covering time trials (5 p.m. tonight) as well.
Viewers who can’t wait for the fireworks can watch “Greatest Patriotic Songs” (10 p.m. tonight, CMT), an appreciation of flag-waving martial anthems from the time of the Civil War to the more recent war in Iraq. Interview subjects include Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, Trace Adkins, Aaron Tippin, actor Rick Schroder and combat veterans who share their feelings about their favorite ballads.
Unusual designs, oddball homes, quirky collections and unorthodox sculpture gardens are showcased on “Offbeat America” (6 p.m. Sunday, HGTV). Al Johnstone’s wife liked sunsets so much he set out to build a house that let her see them from every room and every angle. In fact, when he finished, there were no angles at all!
Today’s highlights
NASCAR Racing (4 p.m., NBC) live from Daytona, Fla.
Based on a novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, “North and South” (4 p.m., BBC America) explores rapid cultural changes during England’s industrial revolution. The miniseries concludes Sunday at 4 p.m.
Spend eight straight hours with terrifying bugs, scary birds and other shocking critters on the “Weird, Bad & Ugly” (5 p.m., Animal Planet) marathon.
TV Land continues its salute to classic made-for-television movies with “Helter Skelter” (8 p.m., TV Land), a 1976 look at Charles Manson, his murderous cult and their sensational trial.
Scheduled on “48 Hours Mystery” (8 p.m., CBS): a woman seeking custody of her children goes undercover to expose a corrupt judge.
Scheduled on “48 Hours Mystery” (10 p.m., CBS): a child kills a child.
Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb star as Sid Vicious and his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, in the 1986 punk-rock biography “Sid and Nancy” (7 p.m. tonight, Independent Film Channel). It was directed by Alex Cox (“Repo Man”).
Sunday’s highlights
Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (7 p.m., CBS): soldiers as old as 50 asked to return to combat; the space race is privatized.
Scheduled on “Dateline” (7 p.m., NBC): a Phoenix arsonist targets posh homes.
Jeff Goldblum and Julianne Moore star in the 1997 fantasy sequel “The Lost World: Jurassic Park 2” (7 p.m., Fox).
A victim of gang violence gets a new house on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (8 p.m., ABC).
Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson and Lucy Liu star in the 2000 martial-arts/Western comedy “Shanghai Noon” (9 p.m., CBS).
A scientist suffers a fatal exposure on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (9 p.m., NBC).
Vince suspects his neighbor’s motives on “Entourage” (9 p.m., HBO).
A fatal fall from the saddle on “Crossing Jordan” (10 p.m., NBC).
Mrs. Huber turns to blackmail on “Desperate Housewives” (10 p.m., ABC).
Cult choice
There’s no place like home for watching the 1939 fantasy “The Wizard of Oz” (5 p.m. Sunday, TCM). Now considered one of the most beloved movies of all time, “Oz” was not a big screen hit and only became a favorite through home viewings of TV repeats.