What’s Worth Watching: ‘A Tribute to Steve Martin’ on TCM for Thursday, July 30

AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Steve Martin (Thursday, July 30, 8/7c, TCM)

In case you missed TBS’s broadcast of this special event last month, Turner Classic Movies replays the AFI’s all-star salute to Steve Martin twice—once at 8/7c, again at 11:30/10:30c—the better to savor the Hollywood high as comedy greats including Jack Black, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Carl Reiner, Dan Aykroyd, Martin Short and Diane Keaton pay homage to the actor/clown/musician. Yes, there will be banjo jokes.

As you’d expect on TCM, the tribute continues with showings of several of his movies: 1991’s Father of the Bride remake at 9:30/8:30c, and 1981’s remarkable musical drama Pennies From Heaven at 1 am/12c. As a teaser, at 7:45/6:45c,  there’s a segment from a 1979 appearance with Johnny Carson, from the “Carson on TCM” Tonight Show archives, back when we thought Martin was just another wild and crazy guy. As a night like this reminds us, he’s so much more.

Also Tonight

Bones 9/8c, Fox

A school’s faculty and students become prime suspects when a wealthy teacher turns up dead in an abandoned bookstore. But more important, at the urging of her publisher, Brennan finally joins Twitter. Tweet dreams! (R)

Dateline Thursday Night Mystery 9/8c, NBC

With Aquarius and Hannibal booted to Saturday nights, Christmas has come early for sleuths in training. Good thing Lester Holt isn’t busy with anything else important.
Dates 9/8c, The CW

Mia stands Stephen up for their date, which leads him to take a bartender’s advice to “go on an adventure.” But he ends up going
to a convention gathering instead.

L.A. Hair, Season premiere, 10/9c, WE tv

When stylist to the stars Kim Kimble gets the chance to work with Mary J. Blige, she leaves Terry to field pitches for an L.A. fashion-week event. But Kim, how can he “Be Without You”?

Review, Season premiere, 10/9c, Comedy Central

Fargo favorite Allison Tolman swings by to help Forrest MacNeil review some things that happen in life, including having a bare-knuckle fight.
Married 10:30/9:30c, FX

Russ and Lina go out on separate dates, which is not always a great idea for two people who are married to each other.

Sports Highlight

PGA Tour Golf, 2:30/1:30c, Golf Channel, Quicken Loans National