TUESDAYWhat recent film comes to mind when I watch “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” (7 p.m., ABC Family)? Well, “Juno,” of course, and kudos to ABC Family for capitalizing on the Oscar winner’s surprise success. But any real comparisons to “Juno” and the overblown recent coverage of the Massachusetts teen-pregnancy “pact” are misguided. This is a standard teen drama with a heavy amount of sex ed-ish talk layered on. Brenda Hampton, the writer-creator of “7th Heaven,” has always had a gift for hitting a sweet spot between the idyllic American family of yore and the realities of today. I’m not sure she quite succeeds here; watching the first hour of “Teenager” (starring Shailene Woodley as the teen and Molly Ringwald as her mom) felt a little like watching an old “ABC After School Special.”
FRIDAYAmong the July 4 TV highlights are “A Capitol Fourth” at 7 (KCPT and KTWU), the “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular” at 8 (NBC, KSHB) and, not to be out-sparkled, the “Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular” (9 p.m., CBS, KCTV-5). Speaking of spectacular, KCPT is re-airing its live broadcast of this year’s “Celebration at the Station” at 8:30 p.m.
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