The British filmmaker Anthony Thomas takes a look at the scientifically established but continually attacked tenets of evolution. The film features several confident Biblically-backed believers in what’s called creationism.
But “Questioning Darwin” (8 p.m.) also shows that Charles Darwin, whose birthday is today, once intended to become a clergyman and struggled with his own beliefs as he worked on his theories of evolution in his “On the Origin of Species,” first published in 1859 which has never gone out of print since.
Another documentary of interest tonight is on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m.) with Dawn Porter’s film “Spies of Mississippi” about the shadowy work of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission in the 1950s and 60s, and its efforts to preserve segregation, covering up violence and murder to do so, as it tracked over 87,000 Americans.
For the final installment of “First Ladies: Influence and Image” (CSPAN, 9 p.m.), Michelle Obama consents to an interview.
Action in the Winter Olympic (NBC, 8 p.m.) includes the gold medal in the women’s super-combined Alpine skiing event, finals in men’s freestyle skiing the moguls and men’s short track. And curling started today with U.S. vs. Norway (CNBC, 5 p.m.) in men’s action.
The other big competition tonight is The 138th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (CNBC, 8 p.m.) from Madison Square Garden. Judging begins tonight and concludes Tuesday. David Frei and Erica Hill host.
Next stop for the remaining candidates on “The Bachelor” (ABC, 8 p.m.) is New Zealand, where they can audition for “Hobbit” movies if they don’t get one-on-one dates.
Most networks turn to reruns of scripted series opposite the Olympics, except for Fox, with new episodes of “Almost Human” (Fox, 8 p.m.) and “The Following” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Hugh Bonneville of “Downton Abbey” joins the 21st season start for “Top Gear” (BBC America, 8:30 p.m.).
Etchings by Edward Hopper, John Sloan and Charles Schulz turn up in a an “Antiques Roadhouse” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) trip to Detroit.
Jonah Hill and Alan Arkin are interviewed by David Steinberg on a new episode of “Inside Comedy” (Showtime, 11 p.m.).
An episode that didn’t get the viewers it deserved because it played opposite Jay Leno’s final “Tonight Show,” the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC, 10 p.m.) with George Clooney,Matt Damon and the rest ofthe cast of “Monument Men” gets a prime time replay. Then there’s a new Kimmel show at 11:35 p.m. as usual with Julia Roberts Joel Kimmaman and Eric Church.
A Valentine’s Day episode of “Brain Games” (National Geographic Channel, 9:30 p.m.) looks at what causes attraction between people. But it’s done through its barrage of quizes, which is kind of annoying, especially when administered by smug host Jason Silva.
In 1940, the first year an Academy Award was given for best original screenplay, the winner was Preston Sturges for “The Great McGinty” (TCM, 8 p.m.). It was up against “Foreign Correspondent” (TCM, 9:30 p.m.), “The Great Dictator” (TCM, midnight), “Angels Over Broadway” (2:15 a.m.) and “Dr. Ehrlich’s Magic Bullet” (TCM, 4:45 a.m.).
NBMen’s college hoops tonight includes Miami at Florida State (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Providence at Georgetown (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Iowa State at West Virginia (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Kansas at Kansas State (ESPN, 9 p.m.) and Maryland at Virginia (ESPNU, 9 p.m.). In women’s college basketball, it’s North Carolina at Duke (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) and Vanderbilt at Tennessee (ESPN2, 9 p.m.).
In the NBA it’s Houston at Minnesota (NBA, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Jennifer Connelly, Ruben Studdard. The View: Denise Richards, Brandi Glanville, Candice Glover, Josh Elliott. The Talk: Cristin Milioti, Matthew Rodrigues. Ellen DeGeneres: Bruno Mars, Jessica Alba. Wendy Williams: E.J. Johnson, Bahar Takhtehchian, Diana Madison.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Kevin Hart, Mo Rocca, the Orwells (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Julia Roberts, Joel Kinnaman, Eric Church. Craig Ferguson: Julie Chen, Bubba Watson. Tavis Smiley: Jamie Lee Curtis. Jon Stewart: Ty Burrell. Stephen Colbert: Patrick Kennedy. Arsenio Hall: Gabrielle Union, Richard Roundtree, Lisa Vidal, Margaret Avery, Richard Brooks, Michael Rapaport, Rico Love. Conan O’Brien: Martin Scorsese, Rock Candy Funk Party. Chelsea Handler” Sharon Osbourne, Ben Gleib, Grace Helbig, Ross Mathews.