So this weekend, when you’ve had enough of barbecue, bugs and your bombastic Uncle Carl, sneak inside for what’s quickly becoming an annual tradition in the world of cable television. What am I talking about? Marathons of course!
Probably the oldest and certainly the best of the 4th of July marathons is Sci-Fi Channel’s non-stop “Twilight Zone,” which kicked off at 3 p.m. today. Just think of it, hours and hours of Rod Serling and all of those classic stories and acting greats. (“Time Enough At Last” with Burgess Meredith is my personal favorite. Although “The Invaders” with Agnes Moorehead and “It’s a Good Life” with Bill Mumy and Cloris Leachman are right up there.)
If tough-talking secret agents are more your thing, head over to USA on Saturday for five James Bond flix: “Dr. No,” “Thunderball,” “The World Is Not Enough,” “Tomorrow Never Dies” and “Casino Royale.”
Can’t get enough reality television? Try “Southern Belles: Louisville” on SOAPnet, “Tool Academy” on MTV, “Raising Sextuplets” on WE or “Clean House” on MyStyle.
BET will be breaking out twins Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry for a “Sister, Sister” marathon and WE trots out “Golden Girls” from 6 p.m. until midnight.
And the fun doesn’t stop on Saturday. Sunday sees a “Hannah Montana” marathon on the Disney Channel that culminates with a brand new episode, “He Could Be the One,” premiering at 8 p.m.
Friday, July 3
Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” – rerun
Randy Sklar, Jason Sklar, Sarah Colonna – “Chelsea Lately” – rerun
Rick Ross with Magazeen – “Late Show with David Letterman” – rerun
Incubus – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” – rerun
Whoopi Goldberg, Keane – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” – rerun
Bat for Lashes – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” – rerun
N.A.S.A. – “Last Call with Carson Daly” – rerun
Saturday, July 4
Tim McGraw, Ludacris, T-Pain – “Saturday Night Live” – rerun
Monday, July 6
Larry Miller – “The View”
Jonas Brothers – “Live with Regis and Kelly”
Gary Valentine – “Chelsea Lately”
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Howie Mandel, Alanis Morissette, Death Cab for Cutie – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Andy Samberg, The Lonely Island – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” – rerun
Artie Lange, No Doubt – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” – rerun
Robin Thicke – “Last Call with Carson Daly” – rerun