Alia Shawkat stars in “Not Like Everyone Else” (8 p.m., Lifetime). Best known for her role on “Arrested Development,” Shawkat plays Brandi Bearcat, a curious, nonconformist teen of American Indian ancestry who is repeatedly suspended from school after mean cheerleader types spread rumors about her, call her a witch and accuse her of planning a Columbine-like insurrection.

Brandi’s initial reaction is one of teenage sarcasm, but as the suspensions mount and her social isolation grows, her parents (Illeana Douglas and Eric Schweig) take action and join the ACLU in suing the school for violating Brandi’s rights.

Although based on a true story, “Not” unfolds like an after-school special. The villains – including dim-witted, frightened and cruel school administrators and pink-clad blond teen tormentors – seem perilously close to parody. Clearly intended to remind us of “The Crucible,” it’s not without its “Heathers” moments. The presence of Shawkat and Douglas, both known for roles in dark, ironic fare, only adds to the touch of black comedy.

But the film has a point and makes it emphatically: The casual abdication of civil rights is no laughing matter.

¢ “The World Series of Pop Culture” (9 p.m., VH1) airs every night this week. A tournament of movie, TV and pop-music trivia questions offers 16 teams the chance to show off. Despite its baseball moniker, it actually unfolds like the Sweet 16 portion of March Madness. The last team standing wins $250,000.

This should be fun, but it’s often dull. If shows like “Millionaire” and “Deal or No Deal” teach us anything, it’s that hosts have to work really hard to focus on one contestant at a time and turn him or her into a star. On “World Series,” host Pat Kiernan takes a glib, laid-back approach, often allowing six nerdy know-it-alls to flounder on stage for moments at a time.

¢ A pop-culture icon of the mid-1980s, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” (10 p.m., Cartoon Network) returns to late night to amaze and entertain the “Adult Swim” generation. Much like “Adult Swim” fare, this 1986 Saturday-morning “Playhouse” exulted in the silly and the bizarre. Star Paul Reubens played the childlike host in a house where chairs, flowers, a spinning globe and even the floor came to life. And let’s not forget the dinosaur family in his freezer.

“Playhouse” also collected an amazing and offbeat array of talent, including the late Phil Hartman, who played Captain Carl and served as a co-writer. Other regulars included Cowboy Curtis (Laurence Fishburne, “Apocalypse Now”), Reba, the Mail Lady (S. Epatha Merkerson, “Law & Order”) and Mrs. Steve (the late Shirley Stoler, “The Honeymoon Killers”).

Remember, when you hear the magic word, scream real loud.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ Symbols loom large on two hours of “Treasure Hunters” (7 p.m., NBC).

¢ Acclaimed chef Gordon Ramsay throws things and swears on two episodes of “Hell’s Kitchen” (7 p.m., Fox).

¢ “Beach Patrol: Miami” (7 p.m., Court) enters its second season.

¢ All Star sluggers compete in the Home Run Derby (7 p.m., ESPN).

¢ A body winds up in Provenza’s garage on “The Closer” (8 p.m., TNT).

¢ A secret from Horatio’s past resurfaces on “CSI: Miami” (9 p.m., CBS).

¢ Single women hunt available men in San Francisco on “How to Get the Guy” (9 p.m., ABC).