Unravelling the Mystery: A Big Bang Farewell, E4, 7.30pm
FOR years, The Big Bang Theory has been one of E4’s best-loved shows. Now it all comes to an end, so little wonder there’s this fitting tribute to the lives of Sheldon, Leonard, Penny, Raj, Howard, Amy and Bernadette. Fans get a guided tour through the sets; learn about the show’s best-kept backstage secrets, and watch the cast share 12 years’ worth of memories, moments and stories from The Big Bang Theory stage. Followed by the final hour-long finale.
The Secret Life of the Zoo: Underwater Special, C4, 8pm
SPECIAL edition of the documentary which focuses on the animals in Chester Zoo’s aquatic habitat. Rare blind cave fish Tiny Tim needs a love potion to help him become a father, and Popeye the chalk bass needs an urgent operation after injuring his eye in an altercation. The keepers hope to breed from Ophelia the Mexican lake salamander, of which there are only 100 females left in the world, while young penguin Frazzle needs to find a mate and settle down.
Big Animal Surgery, BBC2, 9pm
GIVEN our insatiable desire for documentaries about animals and medical procedures, there’s little wonder this three-parter was given the green light. Presenter Liz Bonnin heads for a sanctuary in South Africa, where she witnesses an operation inside the jaws of nine-year-old lion Ricci, who has severe dental problems. But what do you do when such a potentially lethal patient starts to wake up from the anaesthetic midway through?
Free Solo, C4, 9pm
VISITORS to America’s Yosemite National Park can’t help but notice the giant rock formation El Capitan. It overshadows most things in the region, and for climbers is one of those life goals. Of course, safety being paramount in many an adventurer’s mind, most people wouldn’t even think of tackling that rock face without ropes and the like. But Alex Honnold is no ordinary rock climber. In this heart-in-the-mouth documentary, he attempts the first free solo climb of the 3200ft vertical face.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here