The Eichmann Show (BBC2, 9pm)

THE 1961 trial of Adolf Eichmann in Israel was a momentous event, described at the time as the “'trial of the century”', and shown on TV in 37 countries over the course of four months.

It was remarkable for being the first time that the horror of the death camps had been heard publicly, live, from the mouths of some of its victims. Crucially, an estimated 80 per cent of the population of Germany watched at least one hour per week of the trial, as it became the world's first truly global television event.

However, while the trial itself has undoubtedly secured its place in the history books, the behind-the-scenes story of how it came about - and specifically the stories of the people who ensured it could be broadcast in such an extraordinary fashion was relatively unexplored.

Eichmann, who was captured by Israeli agents in Argentina, was one of the key architects of the Holocaust, and the programme is shown as part of the BBC's season of shows commemorating the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camps. Given the network's superb handling of last year's centenary of the First World War, it is fascinating to see the Beeb put most of the major roles in the hands of British comedians Martin Freeman, Rebecca Front and Andy Nyman.

Joining them is US Anthony LaPaglia, of Without a Trace fame. He stars as Leo Hurwitz, a TV director who had been blacklisted during the McCarthy period, but who teams up with groundbreaking producer Milton Fruchtman (Freeman) to capture the testimony of Eichmann, one of the war's most notorious Nazis, during his trial and broadcast it for the world to see.

Freeman explains, "I've been fascinated by this event for some time, and to view it through the lens of the men who enabled the world to see it had never occurred to me. The script is smart and dramatic and Paul Andrew Williams is a director I've long admired."

LaPaglia adds: "It is my distinct privilege to be working on The Eichmann Show. The story of how the Eichmann trial came to be televised, the impact this had on the world, and the role of its director, Leo Hurwitz, was both revelatory and compelling when I read the script."

Producer Laurence Bowen says: "By allowing Holocaust survivors to share their stories with a huge viewing audience, it unblocked a whole strata of shame and denial. It literally changed history."

Even so, the real life footage of testimony from death camp survivors is going to be the hardest part of the process for anyone who watches.

Paul O'Grady's Animal Orphans (ITV, 9pm)

THE scouse rough diamond of TV is back to meet more adorable animals with tragic back stories. O’Grady is travelling across South Africa, Zambia and Namibia to see how orphaned critters including lions, cheetahs, elephants, baboons and rhinos are being raised by humans.

He begins his journey at the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, where volunteer Rachel is caring for an eight-month-old rhinoceros named Olive after the animal's parents were killed by poachers. Then it's on to Namibia to meet the strangest creature he has yet encountered - a ten-month-old aardvark known as Parkie, who is learning to hunt for termites. There's also a tense moment as Shrinky the baby baboon is given her first introduction to other primates.

Excluded: Kicked Out of School (BBC3, 9pm)

MORE than 4,500 kids are permanently excluded from secondary school every year - but they have to continue their education somewhere. All the pupils at The Bridge arrive after either being permanently excluded or having a “'managed move” from schools across West London, often for behaviour issues such as fighting or verbal abuse. As you might expect, the 30-strong team of staff, which includes mentors and therapists as well as teachers, have to deal with some challenging behaviour, but they are determined that the kids will still leave The Bridge with at least five GCSEs.

In the first episode, we are introduced to 13-year-old Millie, whose past misdemeanours may be linked to a personal tragedy.