The TV That Made Me
3.45pm, BBC1
In a weekday series that began last Monday, Brian Conley chats about old telly with “some of our favourite celebrities”. Rory McGrath is put in that category today. He and Conley banter in a humour vacuum about Andy Pandy, Troughton-era Doctor Who, The Telegoons and the lost Postgate & Firmin cartoon The Seal of Neptune. It becomes less stilted when the clips move on to McGrath’s own career, including They Think It’s All Over, some televised Footlights, and writing for Frankie Howerd. Jack Seale
Life in Squares
9pm, BBC2
For its conclusion, the Bloomsbury Set drama fast-forwards to 1937, where we find Duncan and Vanessa (Rupert Penry-Jones and Eve Best) ensconced at Charleston farmhouse. Bed hopping has, mostly, given way to contentment but the world is about to intrude as Vanessa’s son, Julian, heads off to the Spanish civil war. The series’ best episode, perhaps, because the show’s theme – how should we live? – has more power when seen from the perspectives of those who have experienced disappointment. Jonathan Wright
Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild
9pm, Channel 5
This popular show finds the amiable Fogle travelling to far-flung places to chat with people who, ironically enough what with the camera crews and all, declare themselves sick of modern society. Rick Page is a Brit who occasions Ben travelling to French Polynesia. There, Rick and his wife live on a yacht as self-sufficient “sea gypsies”. It can be a scary life, but when the weather is lashing the boat, the couple retreat inside and watch Downton Abbey on DVD. “It’s psychologically important,” says Rick. Julia Raeside
Britain’s Nuclear Secrets: Inside Sellafield
9pm, BBC4
Jim Al-Khalili is unapologetically pro-nuclear. Well, he is a nuclear physicist. But can he convince us that Sellafield is safe? Given access to its eerie interiors for the first time, Al-Khalili reveals the history, the experiments and the technology, all the while in close proximity to deadly toxic waste, and all the while maintaining an old-fashioned BBC reserve: “That looks a real mess,” he observes of a house plant exposed to lethal radioactivity. Chilly and fascinating. Ali Catterall
Brits Behind Bars: Cocaine Smugglers
10pm, Channel 4
The word “Brits” doesn’t bode well but that’s C4 for you these days. Actually, this is absorbing enough, a documentary following an inspector from an elite Peruvian anti-drug unit as he leads the fight against a tide of narcotics – with Peru, not Colombia, now the cocaine capital of the world. Among those involved in the trade between Spain and South America were Melissa Reid and Michaella McCollum, jailed in 2013. They claim to have been coerced into smuggling; others are more sceptical. David Stubbs
Young, Free & Single: Live
10pm, E4
Smooth and tasty as a welsh rarebit, Steve Jones presents this new dating show for the Tinder generation. Six brave souls living in a London apartment agree to have their every romantic move documented as they search for love. Anyone who comes across this motley crew had better watch out: there’s “undercover player” Tom; AJ, who reckons he’s a “big deal” in his home town; and Laura, who had already flogged her wedding to a magazine before being jilted. A terrifying prospect, and they’re here for eight weeks. Hannah Verdier
The Last Man on Earth
9pm, Dave
The planet has been ravaged by a pandemic, and Phil Miller is the sole remaining occupant. Or so he believes. Beginning with his beautifully executed descent into delusion and despair, this opening double bill of Will Forte’s sitcom sees Phil’s downward spiral interrupted by the discovery of Carol (Kristen Schaal). What follows is a pained union between the apathetic Phil and shrew-like Carol, and a high-concept premise that blossoms into a brilliantly funny, weird and weirdly relatable domestic comedy. Rachel Aroesti
Today’s best live sport
International Test Cricket: England v Australia Coverage of the fifth day of the fourth Test at Trent Bridge (provided a conclusion hasn’t already been reached.) 10am, Sky Sports Ashes
Tennis: Rogers Cup Day one coverage of the men’s tournament (from Montréal) and the women’s (from Toronto). 4pm, BT Sport 1; 5.30pm, Sky Sports 3
Premier League Football: West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City Tony Pulis’s side look to end a run of seven straight defeats against City. 7pm, Sky Sports 1
Film of the day
Knight And Day 9pm, Film4)
A woman is dragged into a secret agent’s mission to clear his name after he is framed as a traitor. Comedy adventure, starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz.
King Kong
(John Guillermin, 1976) 4.40pm, Channel 4
The weedy version, sandwiched between Merian C Cooper’s 1933 classic and Peter Jackson’s recent mighty roar. Still, it has a good cast, with Jessica Lange in the Fay Wray role as the giant ape’s blonde object of desire, plus fearless Jeff Bridges and sneaky Charles Grodin. Despite the eco-friendly message and Oscar-winning special effects (which pale somewhat in comparison to Jackson’s), it lacks emotion impact.
True Romance
(Tony Scott, 1993) 11pm, Dave
A hot and heavy thriller written by Quentin Tarantino. Christian Slater is a comic-book shop assistant, Patricia Arquette a sex worker: they fall in love and hit the road for Hollywood, she having killed her pimp (Gary Oldman) and made off with his coke stash. Christopher Walken is the mobster on their trail and there are sharp cameos from Brad Pitt and Val Kilmer in a fast and mean tale.
