The Willis Family
8pm, TLC
New reality show following a bumper brood of perma-happy, God-fearing musicians from Nashville, ranging in age from four to 47. Even when broaching topics such as the house fire that destroyed their former home, Brenda, Toby and their 12 kids are smiling paragons of virtue, their lack of dysfunction both bizarre and awe-inspiring. In an age of Real Housewives and innumerable Kardashians, the Willis family are a twee anachronism and, as such, their adventures will appeal only to the truly uncynical. Hannah J Davies
The Wonder Of Dogs
8pm, Eden
Dogs are indeed wonderful with their big floppy ears, lovable faces and passion for humping cushions and legs. In this new series, vet Steve Leonard, wildlife queen Kate Humble and historian Ruth Goodman trace the animal’s journey from grey wolf to household pet, examining characteristics of different breeds along the way. Goodman reveals the secrets behind poodles’ perms, while Leonard gets to meet the world’s hairiest dogs. The “aw” factor is provided by hundreds of golden retrievers in the Highlands. Hannah Verdier
School Swap – The Class Divide
9pm, ITV
The national preoccupation with schooling means that shows like this are a surefire hit. This one touches on an anxiety for those for whom it’s affordable, asking whether private schools really do offer the advantage they purport to, and whether state schools are second class. In tonight’s show, the first in a reciprocal two-parter, headmaster Mark Mortimer and three of his pupils from private boarding Warminster school visit state secondary Bemrose school in Derby, run by Jo Ward. David Stubbs
New Tricks
9pm, BBC1
Dennis Waterman is now but a memory to this show, his voice on the theme tune but nowhere else. Still, the ball keeps rolling with Larry Lamb joining the cast as Ted Case, a specialist in “black on black” crime (surely even elderly policemen don’t say that?). He’s on board because the team are investigating the murder of a vicar with a mixed-race family. Some truly odious types are in the frame, but it’s the tension between Case and McAndrew (Denis Lawson) that provides the entertainment. John Robinson
Are Our Kids Tough Enough? Chinese School
9pm, BBC2
Despite occasional absurdity, this experiment in which Chinese teachers are imported into a Hampshire comp has been endearing and insightful. Last week, headteacher Mr Strowger stepped in to help his Asian counterparts on the discipline front, while confessing to camera that he had little faith in their teaching methods. In this final episode the exam results from both the Chinese-schooled and the other year nine pupils are in – but will rote learning trump the national curriculum? HJD
Terror On Everest – Surviving The Nepal Earthquake
9pm, Channel 4
The earthquake that struck Nepal in April killed more than 9,000 people. Among that toll were 19 at Everest base camp, as the rumbling of the earth sent thousands of tonnes of snow and ice tumbling down the mountain. This documentary, gripping as eyewitness accounts of natural fury tend to be, is largely assembled from footage shot as the quake struck. Unlikely to prompt interest in mountaineering, it will hopefully remind people that Nepal still needs aid. Andrew Mueller
Benefit Life: Jailbird Boys Going Straight
9pm, Channel 5
There’s something a bit prurient – a bit Benefits Street – about this documentary following ex-cons trying to “go straight on the welfare state”. The insinuatingly voiced nudge-nudge script doesn’t help: career-criminal Simon is “used to a pad that’s a little on the small side”. And while Josh’s girlfriend buys some flowers for her mum, “Josh would rather spend his money on a different kind of plant”. Ho ho. Nevertheless, it does help explain why so many ex-prisoners sadly reoffend. Ali Catterall
Film choice
Existenz (David Cronenberg, 1999) 11pm, Horror Channel
Cronenberg’s typically creepy, visceral thriller links echoes of Videodrome – addictive players hook into weird, mind-bending techno-games – with the fetishistic sexuality of Crash. Games inventor Jennifer Jason Leigh goes on the run with security man Jude Law, but with bone guns that spit human teeth instead of bullets, it’s a weird trip where reality becomes a moot point. Paul Howlett
Ruby Sparks (Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris, 2012) 11.25pm, Film4
This clever comedy from the Little Miss Sunshine couple tiptoes along an intriguing line between Woody Allen and The Stepford Wives. Paul Dano plays a lonesome novelist who starts writing about his ideal woman and, lo and behold, the effervescent Ruby Sparks (Zoe Kazan, who also wrote and produced the film) suddenly steps off the page and into real life – prompting a relationship of some subtlety and poignancy. PH
Today’s best live sport
One-Day Cup Cricket All the action from the latest match in the competition, which saw Durham Jets emerge as champions in last year’s inaugural staging. 10.25am, Sky Sports Ashes
ATP Masters Tennis: The Western & Southern Open Day two of the tournament, which takes place at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. 4pm, Sky Sports 1
Greyhound Racing: The TV Trophy Coverage of the prestigious meeting from Towcester Stadium in Northamptonshire. 7pm, Sky Sports 3
