Critic's corner

By Matthew Gilbert, Globe Staff  |  June 16, 2008

9 p.m., A&E
I've said it before, and now, my tolerant friends, I’m going to say it again. I don’t like this reality show, despite its good intentions. I think the wrongness of lying to an addict to get his or her permission to film doesn't always justify the rightness of the desire to help. And when people are beset by demons, and perhaps hitting their nadir, they aren’t in any condition to sign away rights to their image. "Intervention" is back for its fifth season.

8 p.m., Bravo
Mike Myers, again, in time for his new movie.

8 p.m., Channel 5
Because she's usually so withholding?

9 p.m., HBO
High school debate teams play mind games.

10 p.m., Showtime
In the fourth season premiere, Nancy, her brother-in-law Andy, and her brood relocate to the border town of Ren Mar, where Andy and Nancy's late husband grew up. Albert Brooks joins the cast as Andy's father, who also becomes his new landlord. As you may recall, Agrestic, town of "Little Boxes," burned down at the end of last season.

10 p.m., A&E
Real Damiens.

9 p.m., E!
Vow-wow-wow.

Comcast, HBO
Mel Gibson makes an old-fashioned swashbuckler, directing and starring in the tale of a 13th-century hero rallying his Scots against English oppression. Gibson studied the great battle scenes, and it shows in his marshaling of convincing (and often inglorious) mayhem. Sparing love scenes add the final touch of romance and costume drama. (R; runs through June 22)