BBC America still blasting shows from past

BBC America continues to recycle groovy shows from the bell-bottom era. The 1971 action series “The Persuaders” (9 p.m., BBC America) captured that split second in fashion history when he-men actually wore ascots and scarves instead of ties.

Roger Moore and Tony Curtis star as unlikely allies in this buddy cop/secret agent series. Moore plays Brett Sinclair, a spoiled playboy British lord, and Curtis is Danny Wilde, a Bronx boy who turned his street smarts into billions. There’s no truth to the rumor that this show was originally titled “British and Yiddish.”

The plot, about a shadowy judge named Fulton (Laurence Naismith) who gives them their mysterious assignments, predated “Charlie’s Angels” by half a decade. This period piece is worth watching for the unisex outfits alone. Roger Moore, who designed his own wardrobe for the show, often looks like he is auditioning for “La Cage Aux Folles.”

  • The new series “Inside Dish with Rachael Ray” (8 p.m., Food Network) is devoted entirely to the eating, dining and dieting habits of the glitterati. Ray visits with Mekhi Phifer, who reveals where he goes for a bite to eat after a long day of pretending to save lives on the set of “ER.” Mariel Hemingway shares diet tips, and Dennis Franz reveals the secrets to his crab cake recipe. Help yourself.
  • Ed McMahon will certainly go down in TV history as the greatest talk-show sidekick ever. He returns in that capacity in “ALF’s Hit Talk Show” (10 p.m., TV Land), sharing small talk with the puppetlike, cat-eating alien. This spoof has been picked up for six weekly episodes. Tonight’s guests are former talk-show host Merv Griffin and actor Joe Mantegna. Future guests include Doris Roberts, Bryan Cranston, Tom Arnold, Tom Green, Eric Roberts and Leon Redbone.

Tonight’s other highlights

  • Joan is crestfallen to witness a moment of tenderness between Adam and Judith on “Joan of Arcadia” (7 p.m., CBS).
  • Yokas feels used on “Third Watch” (8 p.m., NBC).
  • Scheduled on “20/20” (9 p.m., ABC): 10 myths and so-called “facts” about sexual relations.