Ear on TV: The week of June 30

This week the talk shows celebrate the independence of our great nation by going on vacation, leaving us with repeats -- but I've still found some things worth sitting on the sofa for. Since the Fourth of July incorporates all the important B's -- BBQ, baseball, beer and blowing things up -- why not include some Big Brother and the Holding Company. Starting tomorrow night, Ovation TV is starting a 15-day programming event called "American Revolutionaries," dedicating every night to another American innovator who changed the meaning of art. Thursday night features the documentary 900 Nights: Big Brother and the Holding Company, which takes a look at the band that introduced Janis Joplin to the world and examines the group's place in the psychedelic movement in the sixties.

Elsewhere, the only live performances not on repeat come courtesy of Fuel TV's Daily Habit, which scores again, nabbing the Montreal band Islands (Thursday). Frontman Nicholas Thorburn (aka Nick Diamonds) hops a lot of genres in his songwriting, from calypso to prog-rock, but always maintains a strong an ear for melody. They might not be from the USA, but the band's independent streak fits with this week's theme nonetheless.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, June 30
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Chromeo (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Al Green (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Tweak Bird
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Ed Harcourt (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Tapes 'N Tapes (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Moby (REPEAT)
Tuesday, July 1
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Duffy (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: They Might Be Giants (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Moby (REPEAT)
OVATION: Live From the Artist's Den: Aimee Mann (REPEAT)
Wednesday, July 2
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Donna Summer (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: A. A. Bondy (REPEAT)
Thursday, July 3
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: John Hiatt (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Islands
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: The Flobots (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: The Kills (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Cloud Cult (REPEAT)
OVATION: 900 Nights: Big Brother and the Holding Company: Big Brother and the Holding Company
SUNDANCE: Live From Abbey Road: Panic at the Disco, David Gray, Suzanne Vega
Friday, July 4
ABC: Good Morning America: Chaka Khan
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The All For Nots (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Republic Tigers (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Jealous Girlfriends
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Tristan Prettyman (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Katy Perry (REPEAT)
Saturday, July 5
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Mika (REPEAT)
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Foo Fighters (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Femi Kuti (REPEAT)