TV best bets: Fri., June 1

8 p.m., SHOWTIME: The Beaver — After a lengthy period when he made more headlines than movies, Mel Gibson tackled a big acting challenge by reuniting with "Maverick" leading lady Jodie Foster. Gibson plays a man in the throes of depression, leading him to consider a hand puppet in the image of a beaver his sole confidant. "Winter's Bone" Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence and "24" Emmy winner Cherry Jones also appear.

9 p.m., ANIMAL PLANET: Whale Wars — If Capt. Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherds thought they'd finally won the battle with Japanese whalers in the Southern Ocean, they'd better think again. The whalers are back, and this time they're bringing military muscle, setting the Shepherds up for the battle of a lifetime as the fifth season begins.

10 p.m., STARZ: Magic City — Judi Silver (Elena Satine) falls into Klein's (Matt Ross) clutches in this new episode, while Lily and Stevie's (Jessica Marais and Steven Strait) affair takes a dangerous turn. Victor and Mercedes (Yul Vazquez and Dominik Garcia-Lorido) get some unsettling news. Ike (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) remains uncertain as he tries to juggle family, business and his relationship with Ben (Danny Huston).

11 p.m., VH1: Storytellers — The new episode "Jason Mraz" profiles the singer-songwriter who came to fame in 2002 with his debut album "Waiting for My Rocket to Come" and the single "Remedy (I Won't Worry)." His success continued with his 2008 album "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things" and the hit song "I'm Yours." His most recent album, "Love Is a Four Letter Word," was released in April.