Israel’s response to the killing of 11 members of the Israeli team held hostage at the Munich Olympics in September 1972 was to unleash “Operation Wrath of God”, whereby teams of Mossad hit squads assassinated Palestinian activists throughout Europe and the Middle East. What began as the revenge killing of those responsible for the massacre developed into a campaign to stamp out terrorism. This is the first time Mossad operatives have spoken openly about this policy, which ended in disaster when an innocent Moroccan waiter was murdered. Talking about the operation, the former deputy head of Mossad, David Kimche, says: “You get good ones and you get bad ones. That’s part of the game.”

THE CULTURE SHOW
BBC Two, 7pm/11.20pm

Gwyneth Paltrow talks about her latest role as the daughter of a mentally disturbed mathematician in Proof, a film co-starring Anthony Hopkins that is based on the Pulitzer prize-winning play by David Auburn. The New York Times was less than kind about her role in the film. The character, it wrote, “is a total pill . . . (who) demands our pity, our attention, our indulgence, our love, while giving little in return but her narcissism”. However, she got off lightly compared with the rapper 50 Cent, who talks about his film Get Rich or Die Tryin’. It has received one of the lowest user ratings (2.3) on the indispensable IMDB movie website.

The show also announces the list of 25 design classics to be exhibited at The Design Museum. The public will be able to vote for its favourite, and the winner will be announced in March.

HOTEL BABYLON
BBC One, 9pm

This behind-the-scenes series about a luxury London hotel is like a perfectly executed soufflé — impressive to look at, delicious to eat, easy to digest and so light it is almost insubstantial. Max Beesley as the assistant manager draws on the ambiguous character he played in Bodies, wearing an inscrutable mask forever poised between good manners and gross insincerity. The most arresting character in the series is the concierge played by Dexter Fletcher, the Artful Dodger of the deep-pile carpets, who prides himself on being able to fix anything for anybody, day or night. There is much to be said for a good soufflé.

HORIZON
BBC Two, 9pm

In its usual even-handed way, Horizon dismembers the Theory of Intelligent Design, the quasi-scientific movement from the US that challenges Darwin’s theory of evolution. The theory suggests that certain organisms are so complex that they could only be the product of supernatural design rather than natural selection. Although it appeals to Christian fundamentalists, the theory appals the scientific community, which has reacted with a mixture of shock and laughter.

Although the theory has been thrown out of court in a test case, its continuing popularity threatens to devalue both religion and science.

BEST OF THE REST . . .

ELEVENTH HOUR
ITV1, 9pm

ITV’s answer to Doctor Who continues as Prof Hood races to prevent a killer virus.

HOUSE
Five, 10pm

Grumpy Hugh Laurie contends with a terminal dilemma.

Multichannel choice
by Angus Batey

BBC FOUR WORLD CINEMA AWARD
BBC Four, 9pm

Jonathan Ross presents the ceremony live from the National Film Theatre. A panel of film critics, film school bosses and festival directors has compiled a shortlist of the best of 2005’s non-US, non-UK cinema. The six films in with a chance — and from which clips will be shown tonight — are 2046, Downfall, House of Flying Daggers, Look at Me, The Sea Inside and Tropical Malady.

PROJECT CATWALK
Sky One, 8pm

More mixing and matching of TV formats, as this continuing eliminate-the-weakest show for designers does a makeover. The ten remaining contestants are tasked with trying to turn that icon of country couture, the Barbour jacket, into must-have wear for city women. Judges, including Elizabeth Hurley and Barbour’s MD, Steve Buck, must assess the ten’s efforts, with one contestant having to design their way back home.

NIGELLA LAWSON
Biography Channel, 8.30pm

The celebrity chef’s life has been touched by tragedy as well as conspicuous success. What happened to turn the daughter of a Tory politician into a domestic goddess?

TYLER’S COUNTER CULTURE
BBC Four, 10pm

In the second of six parts, the Wallpaper magazine founder Tyler Brûlé travels to Sweden to try to understand the nation’s shopping habits.

THE NOMINEES
FX, 10pm

Today is Australia Day, when the Australian of the Year is announced. This spoof documentary, which profiles five people nominated for the award, has been touted as the next big thing in Australian comedy and a worthy successor to Kath & Kim. The comedian Chris Lilley tries to have fun with the stereotypes, and while the show is well enough executed, it is short on laughs and ultimately rather dull.

Daytime choice
by Angus Batey

LIVE GOLF: COMMERCIAL BANK QATAR MASTERS
Sky Sports 1, 10.30am

Day one of this European Tour event from the Doha Golf Club, where Ernie Els is the defending champion after coming from five shots behind on the final day to beat Henrik Stenson by one stroke last year.

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