Critic's corner

National Spelling Bee 11 a.m. on ESPN, 8 p.m. on Channel 5
Good old Tom Bergeron and Chris McKendry host this annual event, held for kids ages 8-15. The competition began with 288 contestants, but only one can win. Not that the other kids are losers. All kids are winners.

8 p.m., E!
This is appallicious.

8 p.m., Channel 7
Always sterpid, I mean stupoid.

8 p.m., VH1
Verbal outgeorgeousness.

9:30 p.m., Animal Planet
A week before the premiere of the new series "Meerkat Manor: The Next Generation," which will be narrated by Stockard Channing, Animal Planet is airing this look at how the series is filmed. The half-hour introduces the scientists and volunteers who track the meerkat families over years.

9 p.m., Discovery Channel
Quite bearable.

10 p.m., Food Network
Rosie O'Noying visits.

Comcast, Free Movies

Despite some holes in the plot larger than the national debt, this Peter Yates film is saved by great performances from Cher (above, with Liam Neeson) and Dennis Quaid and a sharp, cynical view of the nation's capital. (R;runs through June 5)