Fourth of July specials: It’s time to celebrate America’s birthday and some of us never

Fourth of July specials: It’s time to celebrate America’s birthday and some of us never get tired of watching big, glowy things that go “ka-boom” in the sky. And if you can’t make it to a local pyro-fest, television has your back. Among the specials airing tonight are “A Capitol Fourth” (8 p.m., PBS), a 90-minute gala from Washington, D.C., hosted by Jimmy Smits. Performing with the National Symphony Orchestra will be, among others, Huey Lewis, Taylor Hicks and Jerry Lee Lewis. Also on tap are the “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular” (9 p.m., NBC), a show from New York featuring Natasha Bedingfield, Kenny Chesney, Jordin Sparks and Katharine McPhee, and the “Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular” (10 p.m., CBS), which has Rascal Flatts joining the renown orchestra to make beautiful music together. And if you have HDTV for the big glowy things, all the better.

“Mabe in America” (10:30 p.m., CMT): “Mabe in America” is a new hidden-camera prank show hosted by comedian Tom Mabe. He and his crew wreak havoc on unsuspecting folk, including annoyingly loud cell-phone talkers and evil telemarketers. We may want in on this.