documentary watch

Triumph Of Life

Pearl, 8.30pm

With any wildlife/nature documentary series, there is bound to be an episode on mating. According to the programme synopsis, 'much of the most amazing, spectacular and bizarre behaviour in the animal world is performed by animals seeking sex'. The mating game is a serious business in the animal kingdom, with some species prepared to die for it. Male red-backed spiders actually throw themselves into the jaws of females to be eaten alive while they mate. Scientists believe this desperate need to breed is driven by life's most powerful and ancient force - the urge to continue the genetic line. Around the world, most males compete to mate as often as possible while females tend to look for quality, not quantity, in their partners.

Hope And Beauty: The Story Of Cosmetics

World, 10pm

The final part of this interesting mini-documentary series that explores the social and psychological aspects of cosmetics and the beauty industry. Cosmetics have been laced with arsenic and lead throughout the centuries with people literally dying to be beautiful. Some scientists say cosmetics can still pose health dangers and that governments are failing to take them seriously. On the other hand, the cosmetics industry sees health as one of two keys to future expansion. The other is men. If males can be persuaded to return to cosmetic practices the commercial pickings will be enormous.