A French ‘Zorro,’ Louis C.K. Gets ‘Ridiculous,’ Robin Byrd Exposed, Presidential 1776 Award

Zorro

Since the silent-movie era, when Douglas Fairbanks donned the mask, the dashing swashbuckling hero Zorro has been a favorite of stars on the big and small screen, including heartthrobs Tyrone Power and Antonio Banderas, spoofed by George Hamilton and played most famously on TV by Guy Williams. The latest to take up the sword is Oscar winner Jean Dujardin (The Artist) in a breezy French-language series filmed in Spain. This version of Don Diego de la Vega is considerably older, having hung up the cape 20 years earlier. But when his father, the mayor, suddenly passes the torch to his son, revealing 1821 Los Angeles is in deep debt to the cruel Don Emmanuel (Éric Elmosnino), Don Diego reluctantly takes up the mantle of the nearly forgotten action hero and avenger. Zorro not only captures the fancy of the beleaguered citizens, but stirs interest in Don Diego’s dissatisfied wife, Gabriella (Audrey Dana). Awkward! The eight-episode series, filmed in Spain, launches with two episodes, plus a Behind the Mask making-of special.

Louis CK: Ridiculous

In his first Netflix stand-up special in a decade, since the sexual-misconduct scandal that for a time derailed his career, Louis C.K. delivers a set at New York’s cavernous Beacon Theatre that might better be titled Outrageous. There’s a high ick factor, but also a high laugh quotient, as he tweaks any number of social taboos in his droll, self-deprecating style. “Life teaches you how you should have lived,” he muses. “But you can’t use the information. … It’s too late.”

Bang My Box: The Robin Byrd Story

From 1977 to 1998, before the Internet usurped the underground of public-access TV, Robin Byrd and her self-titled late-night call-in talk show were notorious, and in some quarters celebrated, for its frank attitudes towards sexuality and free expression. Often clad in a black crocheted bikini, Byrd celebrated adult entertainers and controversial performance artists, providing a platform for AIDS awareness during the 1980s epidemic. A candid documentary features Byrd reflecting on her career and her battles for free speech that went all the way to the Supreme Court. As she nears her 70th birthday, Byrd is shown caring for her husband of 50 years and poring through decades of memorabilia she’s preparing to archive. It’s quite the provocative time capsule.

Presidential 1776 Award

The historical equivalent of a national spelling bee, the first-ever Presidential 1776 Award competition gathers 20 high-school students, culled from a nationwide pool of more than 8,000 from across the nation, to display their knowledge of the Constitution, its founding principles, and key events in American history. The competition’s finals are held at the White House during the week leading up to the nation’s 250th birthday celebration. Students compete for scholarships totaling $250,000, with a grand prize of $150,000.

America’s Got Talent

Taking a break from the current season’s auditions, Simon Cowell and his AGT crew pause for what’s billed as a “July 4th Party in the USA,” or “a celebration of liberty and talent.” Cowell muses on the American dream, as embodied by the popular talent show, with fellow Brit and judge Mel B declaring, “Making it in America is the dream,” helping explain why so many international acts seek this platform. Host Terry Crews, the only American-born member of the team, notes that even for many of the acts who don’t win the ultimate $1 million prize, the exposure has boosted their career and changed lives. Watching footage from past seasons, Cowell concedes, “We have literally seen it all.” And there’s still more to come.

INSIDE TUESDAY TV:

• FIFA World Cup: The Knockout Round continues with Ivory Coast vs. Norway in Dallas (1 pm/ET, Fox), France vs. Sweden at New York New Jersey (aka Met Life) Stadium (5 pm/ET, Fox), and Mexico vs. Ecuador in Mexico City (9/8c, Fox).
• The Dream Factory (9/8c, ESPN2): With Argentina favored to go far and possibly repeat a win in this year’s World Cup, a documentary based on an eight-year ESPN investigation alleges exploitation and abuse within the country’s youth soccer program that produces the next generation of players.
• Chopped Castaways (9/8c, Food Network): The Survivor-inspired cooking competition in the rough ends with a classic three-round Chopped-style finale.
• Ms. Pat Settles It (9/8c, BET): Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams is back behind the bench for a new season of the comedic court show, settling disputes with the help of a jury of friends and fellow comedians.
• Frontline (10/9c, PBS): In “The Crown Prince and the President,” an investigative team explores the controversial relationship between the president and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with negotiations for arms deals and investments clouded by conflicts of financial interest between Saudi Arabia and the president’s family.
• Jay & Pamela (10/9c, TLC): In the second season of the reality series following a couple living with a rare brittle bone disorder, Jay (turning 30) and Pamela consider the possibility of starting a family.
• Password (10/9c, NBC): Law & Order: SVU‘s Ice-T plays opposite Jimmy Fallon in the latest edition of the word game.

ON THE STREAM:

• WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship (6:30 pm/ET, Prime Video): Hoops superstars clash when the New York Liberty hosts the Las Vegas Aces at Barclays Center for the championship title.
• Tyler Perry’s Ruthless (streaming on Paramount+): The cult melodrama returns for a sixth season with two episodes, as Ruth (Melissa L. Williams) gains influence over cult leader The Highest (Matt Cedeño) while the FBI continues to apply pressure.
• Badd, Gramm-mar (streaming on YouTube): An indie comedy series is set within a contentious L.A. book club where a rotating cast of comedians spirals while debating the book of the week.