“Samantha: An American Girl Holiday” (7 p.m., WB) is a wholesome family movie. “Samantha” is a shameless plug for a popular doll and attendant merchandise. Stop! You’re both right.

Based on the popular line of American Girl dolls, costumes, accessories and books, “Samantha” stars AnnaSophia Robb in the title role as the 9-year-old orphan raised in the lap of luxury by her grandmother (Mia Farrow) and doted upon by her Uncle Gard (Jordan Bridges).

Samantha rejects the rigid social mores of 1904 and befriends the daughters of the neighbor’s servant. Her uncle is a bit of rebel, too, preferring innovative Impressionist painting to Old Masters, and marrying a budding suffragette. If Grandma wore a monocle, it would pop off in every scene.

There are worse ways to introduce children to different eras and attitudes. But “Samantha” suffers from stilted dialogue that reminded me of the formal and precocious talk heard at a little girl’s tea party — or uttered while playing with fancy and expensive educational dolls.

• “Los Angeles Now” on “Independent Lens” (9 p.m., PBS) offers a provocative meditation on the past and future of L.A. The film argues that the media churns out outdated images of Los Angeles, completely missing the transformation of the city from the “Anglo” suburban dream of the 1950s to a dynamic multiethnic society that synthesizes black, Latin, Anglo and Asian cultures. Author and librarian Kevin Starr observes, “Once you’ve met your first Asian-American surfer dude, you’re in the presence of a new paradigm.”
• “The Secret History of the Credit Card” on “Frontline” (8 p.m., PBS) discusses new laws and recent Supreme Court decisions that have allowed credit card companies to become increasingly profitable, often at the expense of their most vulnerable customers.

Card companies can now raise your interest rates even if you have been making payments on time. Using a wealth of computerized consumer data, lenders can punish borrowers if they make a late payment on other loans, such as car or mortgage payments. One customer complained of an increase based on a late payment made years prior to his credit card agreement. Late fees also have increased and are now seen as a profit center for big lenders.

Harvard law professor Elizabeth Warren says credit card companies are unique in that they have the power to raise their prices (interest rates) even after a transaction has taken place. If you think you’re buying that giant-screen TV set at 7 percent interest, it could easily balloon to more than 20 percent at any given moment. Warren blames the government for allowing credit card companies to run wild. “There’s no regulator,” she opines, “and there’s no customer who can bring this industry to heel.”

As of today, “Seinfeld” fans can own the first three seasons on DVD. And, given tonight’s “Frontline,” perhaps you should pay for them with cash.

Tonight’s other highlights

• A decorated vet (Charles Durning) has his record questioned and his honor besmirched on “Navy NCIS” (7 p.m., CBS).
• Models, actors and wrest-lers compete on “The Amazing Race” (8 p.m., CBS). This show does not need stunt casting to keep our interest.
• House’s prognosis disturbs an ailing teen’s family on “House” (8 p.m., Fox).
• A client faces murder charges on “Judging Amy” (9 p.m., CBS).
• A professor (Billy Campbell) takes a blood test to combat rape charges on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m., NBC).
• Witness protection on “NYPD Blue” (9 p.m., ABC).
• “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (9 p.m., HBO) looks at the financial woes of former baseball star Cecil Fielder.

Series notes

Nelsen Mandela shows up on “The Rebel Billionaire” (7 p.m., Fox) … Caroline Rhea hosts “The Biggest Loser” (8 p.m., NBC) … A hip-hop face-off on “My Wife and Kids” (7 p.m., ABC) … Debbie Allen and James Avery guest star on “All of Us” (7 p.m., UPN, TV-PG).

Difficult adjustments on “George Lopez” (7:30 p.m., ABC) … Shelly steps out with a boxer on “Eve” (7:30 p.m., UPN).

Small-game hunting on “According to Jim” (8 p.m., ABC) … A cyber prank leaves a teen’s reputation in tatters on “Veronica Mars” (8 p.m., UPN) … Matthew Perry guest stars as an organ donor on “Scrubs” (8:30 p.m., NBC) … Holiday drama cannot be avoided on “Rodney” (8:30 p.m., ABC).

Late night

Kevin Spacey appears on “Late Show with David Letterman” (10:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno hosts Snoop Dogg and Kathy Griffin on “The Tonight Show” (10:35 p.m., NBC) … Jon Cryer and Chingy appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:05 p.m., ABC).

Kelsey Grammar, Rosario Dawson and Lee Lindeman chat on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … Damien Fahey hosts Doug Benson on “The Late, Late Show” (11:37 p.m., CBS).