Ren Faire
9pm, Sky Documentaries
Buckle up for this one: a wild new documentary series from the US that has been described as “Succession meets Game of Thrones”, follows Texas Renaissance festival co-founder George Coulam, who, now in his 80s and ideally wanting to die “by being screwed to death”, is looking for his heir. Some colourful characters enter the ring, as we learn the backstory of this absurd world, in which he has become known as the “king”. Hollie Richardson
Return to Paradise
8pm, BBC One
The Death in Paradise spin-off, about an Australian detective out of her comfort zone in her home town, continues with an impossible murder at a fun run. Mackenzie (Anna Samson) has to delve into the dark commercial heart of fitness-influencer culture. Jack Seale
Junior Taskmaster
8pm, Channel 4
It must be a blast devising tasks for kids on this show, requiring keen psychology into what makes these hilariously cussed contestants tick: given the choice, will they eat a lemon or paint their face blue? But first up, how best to ward off a zombie apocalypse? Ali Catterall
The Making of Do They Know It’s Christmas?
9pm, BBC Four
A festive trip down memory lane in this documentary assembled from raw footage of the recording of Band Aid’s 1984 charity smash Do They Know It’s Christmas? It is a feast of treasurable mid-80s pop moments; luxuriant mullets, ludicrous hats and George Michael serenading Paula Yates with a prerelease a cappella version of Last Christmas. Phil Harrison
Accidentally Famous: The Story of 883
9pm, Sky Atlantic
An Italian drama based on the true story of 90s pop group 883, formed by Max Pezzali (Elia Nuzzolo) and Mauro Repetto (Matteo Oscar Giuggioli). It starts with a double bill, and a young Max’s summer is turned upside down when his crush asks him out – and he writes a song for her. HR
The Graham Norton Show
10.40pm, BBC One
Cher has a memoir out, and she is ready to spill the beans on Norton’s sofa. Joining her are the stars of two exciting new spy series: Michael Fassbender (The Agency on Paramount+) and Keira Knightley (Black Doves on Netflix). Music comes from Jalen Ngonda. HR
Film choice
Monkey Man (Dev Patel, 2024), 10.05pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Dev Patel always seemed like such a nice boy, but in his directorial debut, produced by Jordan Peele, he plays an ultraviolent, Charles Bronson-style avenger. As the titular protagonist, he is a rural commoner inspired by monkey god Hanuman to bust heads all the way to the top of the evil crime syndicate who trashed his village and killed his mum. In the shadow of John Wick as much as Hindu mythology, Patel displays impressive martial-arts skills and kinetic, if sometimes OTT, camerawork. Phil Hoad
