Critic’s corner

September 15, 2009|Matthew Gilbert, Globe Staff

The Biggest Loser 8 p.m., Channel 7

Season eight begins tonight, with 16 contestants including a woman who lost her husband and two children in a car crash. Home viewers will undoubtedly lose water weight through their tear ducts. Also in the lineup: Daniel Wright from last season, who went from 454 lbs. to 312 lbs. and hopes to lose more, and a woman who is the heaviest contestant in the history of the show at 476 lbs. Alison Sweeney hosts, with Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels performing training duties.

Melrose Place 9 p.m., Channel 56

She’s no Heather Locklear, that’s for sure. But then no one can really compete with Locklear’s freeze-dried, blow-dried mystique. As Ella, the resident manipulator in this remake, Katie Cassidy (daughter of David) will need to amp up the camp factor if she wants to reign supreme.

90210 8 p.m., Channel 56

Naomi plots revenge against Annie. Atlas shrugs.

The Jay Leno Show 10 p.m., Channel 7

Tom Cruise clowns with Jay. Suddenly I’m feeling tense.

The Universe 9 p.m., History Channel

The ringed planets. Sponsored by Wisk.

Jennifer Aniston 9 p.m., Style

The life and times of a date-a-holic.

Big Brother 11 9 p.m., Channel 4

The not-so-grand jury decision.