Stars go nuts for best mutts in show

Stars like Maura Tierney and Goren Visnjic of “ER,” Samantha Mathis and “Survivor” veteran Colby Donaldson officiate on “Nuts for Mutts” (7 p.m., Animal Planet), a charity beauty and talent contest celebrating mix-breed dogs. Competition categories include “best kisser,” “cutest,” “longest tail,” “biggest ears” and “best in show.”

In addition to the bold-faced names behind the microphones, “Nuts” features interviews with other Hollywood mutt-aficionados, including Kim Basinger and Kirsten Dunst, who got a dog with ex-boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal. This leads to the tabloid-y question: When a celebrity couple splits, what happens to their dog? Inquiring minds want to know!

“The Fight” on “American Experience” (8 p.m., PBS) recalls the legendary 1938 bout between German boxer Max Schmeling and Joe Louis, the black American fighter.

Arguably the most politically charged sporting event of all time, Schmeling-Louis was a contemporary metaphor for the struggle between the Nazi ideology of racial purity and America’s faith in ethnic and racial diversity.

Tonight’s other highlights

  • A report card failure on “Everybody Loves Raymond” (8 p.m., CBS).
  • St. Louis hosts Tampa Bay on “Monday Night Football” (8 p.m., ABC).
  • A hot spot proves fatal for a trendy teen on “CSI: Miami” (9 p.m., CBS).
  • Soldiers pitch in with jeeps and tractors on “Monster Garage” (8 p.m., Discovery).
  • Auction mania on “Still Standing” (7 p.m., CBS).
  • Joe Rogan is host of “Fear Factor” (7 p.m., NBC).
  • Fathers see if the crabgrass is any greener on back-to-back episodes of “Trading Spouses” 7 p.m., Fox).
  • Shocking revelations on “The Benefactor” (7 p.m., ABC).
  • Mona can’t cope on “Half & Half” (7:30 p.m., UPN).
  • Nessa’s big news on “Las Vegas” (8 p.m., NBC).
  • A fetching female (Jeri Ryan) beats Charlie at his own game on “Two and a Half Men” (8:30 p.m., CBS).
  • A surprise inspection frazzles nerves on “LAX” (9 p.m., NBC).

Late night

Former President Jimmy Carter, Brandi Chastain and John Mellencamp appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (10:35 p.m., CBS).