“Texas Rodeo Tykes” (Animal Planet 9 p.m.) Sounds awesome—but only if they have crazy stage parents like on “Toddlers & Tiaras.”
The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town (HBO 7 p.m.) This documentary chronicles the making of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s landmark 1978 album. This was supposed to come out in time for the album’s 20th anniversary. But that Bruce, he’s a busy guy.
“The Dog Whisperer” (National Geographic 9 p.m.) Cesar talks to Howie Mandel’s aggressive and hard-to-control Chihuahua. As long as he’s there, he should try to get Howie to calm the hell down, too.
“Auctioneer$” (TLC 8 p.m.) It actually took the Wheel of Blue Collar Jobs Without Reality Shows this long to land on “auctioneers”? I’m shocked.
Tony Curtis Tribute (TCM 4 a.m.) TCM celebrates the career of late, great superstar Tony Curtis with a day-long marathon. Highlights include 1957’s Sweet Smell of Success at 6 p.m. and 1958’s The Defiant Ones at 8 p.m.
“Into the Lost Crystal Caves” (National Geographic 7 p.m.) If it’s called “The Lost Crystal Caves,” there had better be some cool stuff inside. We’re talking Indiana Jones levels of cool stuff.
“The Avengers” (Disney XD 6:30 p.m.) Disney toons up Marvel Comics’ “The Avengers.” The animation looks decent and the storylines appear slightly grown-up. Plus, it’ll gear kids up for the Avengers movie, hitting theaters in 2012.
Carlos (Sundance 10 p.m.) This three-part miniseries from Frenchy Olivier Assayas (Irma Vep, Demonlover, Paris Je T’Aime) explores the life of legendary international terrorist Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, aka Carlos the Jackal.
“Texas Quints” (TLC 8 p.m.) Sheesh, TLC. You’re running so many of these overbreeder shows now you’ve got to segregate them by state?
“Hip Hop Awards ’10” (BET 6 p.m.) Worst drinking game ever: Do a shot every time somebody wins a Hip Hop Award under their actual given name. Worst category for heavy drinkers? Best Male Hip Hop Artist, featuring B.o.B., Drake, Fabolous, Jay-Z and Ludacris.
“Nick Swardson’s Pretend Time” (Comedy Central 11 p.m.) Slightly demented comedian Nick Swardson (Terry from “Reno 911!”) gets his own sketch comedy show.
“What’s Eating You” (E! 8 p.m.) In a rare moment of self-awareness, E! actually acknowledges there’s a downside to raging narcissism in the entertainment industry with this documentary series about eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.
“Bam’s World Domination” (Spike 9:30 p.m.) Skateboarding “Jackass” Bam Margera travels across the pond to compete in England’s infamous Tough Guy Challenge.
