“Heist” (9 p.m., NBC) follows a team of ace burglars planning a simultaneous robbery of every jewelry story on Rodeo Drive. And during Oscar week no less, when they are certain to be filled to the rafters with bling. We also get to watch the team of police assigned to catch them. If this sounds familiar, you’ve been watching the British series “Hustle” on AMC.

The cat burglar sure has changed over the past 50 years. Second-story men like Cary Grant in “To Catch a Thief” kept their mouths shut and let beautiful women provide the seductive chatter. These crooks, and the cops who chase them, never seem to shut up.

Burglars (Dougray Scott and Steve Harris) exchange endless banter about religion and philosophy as they crack safes. Their parallel cop duo (Reno Wilson and Billy Gardell) make “Lethal Weapon” references when not baiting each other about race, weight and ethnicity. And back among the thieves, lovely Lola (Marika Dominczyk) has to suffer the fool in Ricky (David Walton), a slick crook given to slacker dimwit nonsequiturs.

Despite the too-clever dialogue, the show’s sprawling cast makes for intriguing viewing. We’re certain to find out more about each character as the series progresses. In the pilot’s most promising scene, a getaway driver (veteran actor Seymour Cassel) slips away from his talkative crew for a quieter moment, a visit with his Alzheimer’s-stricken wife.

With a complex story and so many characters willing to talk about their flaws, “Heist” demands your attention. NBC is certainly banking on viewers to stick around for its 13-week run. After all, it has been given the traditional “Law & Order” time slot.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ Howie Mandel hosts “Deal or No Deal” (7 p.m., NBC).

¢ A filmmaker’s fatal shoot on “Bones” (7 p.m., Fox).

¢ A vigilante leaves a bloody trail on “Criminal Minds” (8 p.m., CBS).

¢ A murdered contractor had his share of foes on “Law & Order” (8 p.m., NBC).

¢ A would-be “American Idol” (8 p.m., Fox) must leave.

¢ Megan Mullally hosts the “Fourth Annual TV Land Awards” (8 p.m., TV Land).

¢ Sun’s secret may rock Jin’s world on “Lost” (8 p.m., ABC).

¢ Murder strikes at a posh museum on “CSI: NY” (9 p.m., CBS).