1) “Hamilton,” any time, Disney+. Gradually, more people will get to see Lin-Manuel Miranda’s masterpiece onstage, when Broadway resumes and tours return. It’s an amazing show, stuffed with epic scenes that would be the centerpiece of other musicals. Now, however, comes a chance to see the original cast – Miranda (shown here, left), Leslie Odom, Daveed Diggs, Chris Jackson, more. Director Thomas Kail (who also directed the Broadway show) intended it for movie theaters, but it’s now diverted to streaming.
2) “iHeartCountry 4th of July BBQ,” 8 p.m., CW. Lauren Alaina and Kane Brown used to be in the same high school choir. That was in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., a decade ago. She was a cheerleader; he was sometimes homeless, often changing schools. She soon soared, finishing second in the 2011 “American Idol”; he took a while, releasing his own videos. In 2017, their “What Ifs” duet was No. 1 on country charts. Now they’ll do at-home music for this special, as will Old Dominion.
3) “Saving Private Ryan” (1998), 8-11:45 p.m., TNT. Steven Spielberwhg’s war-film classic is a strong way to start the 4th of July weekend. The movie (which is also at 4:15 p.m. Saturday) stars Tom Hanks and Matt Damon – who is filling the weekend. Damon’s excellent “Bourne Identity” (2002) and “Bourne Supremacy” (2004) are at 6 and 8:30 p.m. today on Syfy today on Syfy; they’re also at 3:30 and 6 p.m. Saturday, with “Bourne Ultimatum” (2007) at 8:35.
4) “Grant,” 6 p.m. to midnight, History. This channel is spending the 4th weekend with war heroes. Today is the three-part story of U.S. Grant; the final two parts then rerun until 4 a.m.; on Saturday is George Washington. Then Sunday debuts “America: Our Defining Hours.”
5) “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” 8 and 8:30 p.m., CBS. As a tribute to Carl Reiner, the show’s creator (who died Monday at 98), here are two of his favorite episodes. Both reran in previous CBS specials, which is why they had coior added by computer. In one, Reiner is in his usual role as Alan Brady; Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) accidentally tell the world he wears a toupee. In the other, he’s an artist who uses his imagination for a nude portrait of her.