HAPPY 4TH OF JULY AMERICA!

Stay Tuned would like to wish everyone out there a Happy 4th of July! We also want to send a special shout-out to all our troops and military, both home and abroad. Thank you for everything you have done for our country and we look forward to receiving you with open arms when you return home.

Television on the 4th of July is usually full of marathons and evening firework displays from a live feed. Since shows are on hiatus, it's pretty difficult to spot an episode with an Independence Day theme. The one show I cannot help thinking about on this day is Love, American Style. The show had absolutely nothing to do with the 4th of July but it's opening montage and theme had all the fireworks and Americana needed to make such a random association. And it also spawned one of the most popular shows of our time, Happy Days.

While this day should be spent outdoors at the pools, BBQs, and parks, Stay Tuned is providing a brief rundown of notable TV marathons if the weather has you stuck indoors. The order of this list is based on Stay Tuned's recommendations. Bump that alphabetical order!

Television Marathons for Thursday, July 4, 2013:

The Twilight Zone (Syfy) - Hands-down, there are two times each year where viewers look forward to the vintage Twilight Zone marathon. It never gets boring to watch Rod Serling's sinfully enticing work of art. Note: Most of the popular and memorable episodes of the show air in the early evening and night.

Castle (TNT) - This partner-buddy cop drama has recently crossed over into the romantic arena but the stories and crimes are still a delight to watch. Nathan Fillion usually brings a certain element to his performances and Castle is not an exception.

NCIS (USA) - The Mark Harmon JAG-spin-off has remained one of CBS' strongest crime dramas for the past decade without any sign of flatlining. If military crime shows are your thing, and who wouldn't like it on this particular day, then plop down and catch the day-long marathon.

Fear Factor (Chiller) - Joe Rogan hosts this reality competition show where contestants have to pretty much do the nastiest, yuckiest, most disgusting, and usually fearful trials in order to win the game.

Hope you enjoy this wonderful day and Stay Tuned will be back shortly with more recommendations and tidbits during this long holiday weekend!

And please, be careful with fireworks (legal or illegal)! We're not going to say whether it's right or wrong where you live but we just want to caution that most accidents during this day are a result of mishandling fireworks. Care for your extremities as well as for your surroundings.

Enjoy! And if you have any fond memories of July 4th, please feel free to share them here.