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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Mark Jones, Hannah J Davies, John Robinson, Ali Catterall, Jack Seale, Graeme Virtue andDavid Stubbs

Thursday’s best TV

David Hasselhoff … or is it The Hoff?
David Hasselhoff … or is it The Hoff? Photograph: Dean Chalkley/Skinnydip.co.uk

Britain Beneath Your Feet
8pm, BBC1

Dallas Campbell presents a look at the surprisingly busy underbelly of the UK in this two-part documentary. Among the revelations in this opening episode, there’s a salute to the structural engineers tackling London’s doughy mantle in order to keep skyscrapers such as The Shard pointing upwards, before Campbell takes a dive into Gaping Gill, a 98-metre deep pothole which requires travellers to share their descent with England’s tallest waterfall. A symphony of subterranea, in short. Mark Jones

Dogs: Their Secret Lives

8pm, Channel 4

Last episode in this series following the secret exploits of misbehaving mutts with the help of dog’s-eye-view cameras. Tonight telly vet Mark Evans meets Ellie, an energetic German shepherd dubbed the “houdini hound” due to her incredible talent for nighttime escapology. Can a series of specially devised puzzles keep her amused and out of trouble? Also in crisis is springer spaniel Ozzy, whose convulsions have baffled experts and left his owners in despair. Somewhat lacking in bite, there’s little here for all but the most ardent dog lovers. Hannah J Davies

Superhospital

9pm, ITV

If it wasn’t already hard enough for NHS hospitals to do their job, with their insufficient funds and threats of closure, there’s the added obstacle of having to contend with fly-on-the-wall documentarians who follow every footstep taken by their doughty staff. Such is the case here, as we observe life in the massive Royal Derby Hospital: 8,000 staff members, 10,000 patients through the doors (or delivered via helicopter) every day. Hard not to be bowled over by the dedication, good humour etc – but the format feels a little bit overfamilar. John Robinson

Hoff the Record

9pm, Dave

This inessential amalgam of Life’s Too Short and The Thick Of It is a vanity mockumentary in which David Hasselhoff, who sends himself up constantly anyway, sends himself up. Tonight, David “The Hoff” Hasselhoff (David Hasselhoff) is off to a public school for a mock UN debate, the real UN having literally laughed down the phone at his desire to be an ambassador. Can the sheer force of his dumbness defeat the school’s top oik? Lots of good lines, but they’re all recycled fragments of other, better shows. Jack Seale

Career Criminals

10pm, Channel 4

From the same team that made last year’s eye-opening Cops And Robbers documentary series comes this one-off focusing on a specialist squad tasked with rehabilitating habitual criminals in an attempt to lower overall offending rates. At 27, Tom has already spent six years in jail but has decided to go straight; so far, his 19-year-old brother Ben has escaped the nick but seems to be drifting into a life of crime. Can the targeted efforts of police officers help both brothers stay on the right side of the law? Graeme Virtue

Banshee

10pm, Sky Atlantic

This bracingly violent drama often feels as if it is churning up fundamental blood feuds as old as America itself. Tonight, it ratchets to Game Of Thrones-style levels of intensity in its brutality and harrowing impact on emotional and family ties. Chayton and the Redbones have the Cadi under siege, seeking to avenge the death of Tommy. Proctor doesn’t just have his own skin to worry about, but also has to attend to his seriously ill mother. Meanwhile, Bunker looks to prove to Medding that he’s not the man he once was. David Stubbs

Today’s best live sport

Wimbledon 2015 The second round singles matches conclude. 11.30am, BBC2

T20 Blast Cricket: Middlesex Panthers v Sussex Sharks The latest action from Lord’s. 6pm, Sky Sports 2

World Rally Championship The opening stage of the Rally Poland, the seventh round of the season. 7pm, BT Sport 1

Rugby League: Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors Super League action from the Halliwell Jones Stadium. 7.30pm, Sky Sports 1

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