Memorial Day can mean many things to many different people. It was first created just as a day of remembrance for those who died serving the United States of America, but over time has also evolved into an unofficial declaration that summer has begun and provided an excuse to break out the grill and have friends over. For many, Memorial Day has also become a day to gather around the television for some light (or heavy) marathoning. For many Americans, the Memorial Day 2017 TV schedule is just as important as the Memorial Day BBQ menu.
Whether you're looking to escape family or you're hoping to catch up on your favorite show, there's something for everyone to watch on Memorial Day. Networks big and small shape their programming to fit those who are looking to spend all day on the couch, as well as those who just want something to watch for half an hour while they wait for their brother to pick up veggie burgers at the store. It can be overwhelming considering just how much content is available for consumption, but this handy guide to what's worth watching should help make your Memorial Day go as smoothly as any summer day should. (All times listed are ET.)
ABC
The workplaces of America may take a day off for Memorial Day, but the Bachelorette does not. The dating show continues with the second episode of its latest season at 8:00 p.m. that night, which so far has featured puppets, a Tickle Monster, and whatever "Whaboom" is. Who knows what could be next?
BBC America
If you feel like you'd rather get on a spaceship and escape the Earth's atmosphere than talk to your extended family at a BBQ, then BBC America has you covered. The network is airing 24 straight hours of Star Trek: Voyager starting at 6:00 a.m. on Memorial Day so that Captain Janeway can take you away.
A&E
A&E will be using Memorial Day to premiere a brand-new 2-hour special episode of Leah Remini: Scientology & The Aftermath entitled Merchants of Fear. The special begins at 9 p.m., but A&E will be airing episodes from Season 1 of Scientology & The Aftermath starting at 1 p.m.
Comedy Central
Comedy Central has formed a day-long plan to heal your Memorial Day woes with a Scrubs marathon beginning at 9:00 a.m. and continuing all night long.
Freeform
Freeform is famous for regularly airing marathons of Harry Potter during holidays, weekends, or just whenever they feel like it. Memorial Day is no exception, as the network is airing both Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pts. I and II starting at 1:00 p.m. to follow a weekend-long marathon of the series.
HBO
HBO is using Memorial Day to air the most appropriate possible marathon of the day, showing the entirety of Band of Brothers starting at 9:00 a.m. and going until 8:00 p.m. ET that evening. If you've never seen this miniseries, there's no better time to pay memory to the soldiers of WWII than this dramatization of the true story of "Easy" Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.
With so much to watch, not to mention everything on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and every other subscription service, you should have no problem finding something good to watch. The only difficult choice may be deciding which of the many options to tune into!
