'The Yes Men' try to explain themselves

TONIGHT'S ALTERNATIVE: "The Yes Men Fix the World," 9-10:30 p.m., HBO.

There may be few people more polarizing than Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno, who call themselves "The Yes Men." Pretending to be corporate officials, they become conference speakers.

At times, this is pure satire. They convince people that a corporation wants to make candles from human flesh and to encase people in giant "Survivalball" suits.

At other times, it seems like cruelty. For a few hours, these men convinced the world that companies would compensate victims of the Bhopal explosion and restore the wetlands battered by Hurricane Katrina. The stock value of Dow temporarily dropped by billions; innocent people celebrated, then sagged.

Bichlbaum and Bonanno made this film, partially trying to explain themselves. Some people will be appalled; many will be fascinated.

Other choices

• "How I Met Your Mother," 8 p.m., CBS. Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), the perpetual womanizer, feels he's "lost his mojo," in this rerun. He plans to get it back at a Victoria's Secret party, where he meets Heidi Klum.

• "Two and a Half Men," 9 p.m., CBS. This rerun takes Charlie and Chelsea to couples' counseling; Jane Lynch returns as his therapist.

• "The Big Bang Theory," 9:30 p.m., CBS. A magazine article gives Raj an ego boost - maybe too big a one. He makes a play for Penny.

• "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List," 10 p.m., Bravo. Fuming about the California vote that banned gay marriage, Griffin decides to learn how to be an activist. This hour has few funny moments, but it also has involving ones when she visits a homeless shelter for gay teens.

• "Dating in the Dark," 10:02 p.m., ABC. This interesting show adds another twist tonight. Before the people date each other (in total darkness), they look through each other's luggage.

• "The Late Show With David Letterman," 11:35 p.m., CBS. The Dave Matthews Band does multiple duty this week. It will be the music guest tonight and Friday; tonight, Matthews also sits down to talk.