Is there a doctor in the “House” (8 p.m., Fox)? Or is he just a louse? Hugh Laurie stars as Dr. Gregory House, a brilliant physician who can’t stand dealing with patients. Why talk to the sick when your favorite motto is “everybody lies”? His brutal honesty and intolerance for handholding chitchat frightens some patients and stimulates others. When the mother of an asthmatic child says she worries about his medicine, House curtly reminds her that she should worry more about his inability to breathe. The doctor also offers a hypochondriac a “medicine” bottle containing nothing but candy, and the deluded patient returns for a refill.

While House’s approach is an amusing and refreshing departure from cliche, it’s also a conversation stopper. As means of compensation, “House” features a photogenic staff of earnest sawbones who chafe under his stern direction when not admiring his magnificent diagnostic skills and Sherlock Holmes-like talent for deduction.

In the first episode, a pretty young teacher (Robin Tunney) collapses in front of her kindergarten class after erupting in garbled speech. House and his acolytes appear baffled when she fails to respond to treatment for a brain tumor. The cold doctor refuses to meet with her and treats her more like a guinea pig than a human being.

Rather than discuss her ailment with the teacher, House instructs his assistants to break into her apartment to look for possible drugs, allergens or chemicals to explain the medical mystery. Besides House’s chilly bedside manner, viewers also have to contend with very “CSI”-like cinematic techniques in which the camera appears to travel up the patient’s nose and make past hairs and blood vessels on its way to her brain.

Those in search of character-driven medical drama may enjoy “House.” Unfortunately, Dr. House’s personality is so strong and frequently overbearing that it short-circuits much of the drama. It doesn’t help that some of the dialogue is rather pat: “As the philosopher Jagger once observed,” House says, “You can’t always get what you want.” Frequent viewers of “House” may be in need other means of “Satisfaction” or “Emotional Rescue.”

• Will shoppers’ love for ever-lower prices ultimately lead to our economy’s demise? The “Frontline” documentary “Is Wal-Mart Good for America?” (8 p.m., PBS) contrasts the retailer’s Arkansas roots and all-American image with its ruthless business practices.

Vendors tell harrowing tales of Wal-Mart’s dictatorial negotiating techniques. Many conclude that Wal-Mart’s increasing dominance has driven American companies to relocate their factories to China, where workers feel well-paid at $100 dollars a month. When the very last American manufacturer of television screens filed an anti-dumping suit against his Chinese competitors, Wal-Mart took the side of the Chinese companies. The documentary also looks at the greater question of “fair” trade with China.

Tonight’s other highlights

• Usher and Alicia Keys top the list of nominees for the second annual “Vibe Awards” (7 p.m., UPN), honoring hip-hop, R&B and soul musicians.
• Rory and Lorelai try to broker a peace between Emily and Richard on “Gilmore Girls” (7 p.m., WB).
• “The Amazing Race” (8 p.m., CBS) returns for a sixth season.
• A spooky character’s 12-year-old wife needs help on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m., NBC).
• Andy and Clark make up on “NYPD Blue” (9 p.m., ABC).
• Rev. Al Sharpton hosts “I Hate My Job” (8 p.m., Spike).
• President Alejandro Toledo offers viewers a glance at the beauty and diversity of his country, stretching from the Andes to the rain forests, on “Peru: The Royal Tour” (9 p.m., Travel).

Series notes

Terrorists target an Iraqi war vet on “Navy NCIS” (7 p.m., CBS) … Caroline Rhea hosts “The Biggest Loser” (8 p.m., NBC) … Only 12 remain on “The Rebel Billionaire: Branson’s Quest for the Best” (7 p.m., Fox) … Restaurant wars on “My Wife and Kids” (7 p.m., ABC).

A tempting job offer on “George Lopez” (7:30 p.m., ABC).

Tales from the crypt on “According to Jim” (8 p.m., ABC) … Just say no on “One Tree Hill” (8 p.m., WB).

Legal woes without end on “Scrubs” (8:30 p.m., NBC) … Undying affection for an old truck on “Rodney” (8:30 p.m., ABC).

Late night

Nicolas Cage and Morrissey appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (10:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno hosts Angelina Jolie, Jesse James and Vanessa Carlton on “The Tonight Show” (10:35 p.m., NBC) … Denise Richards and Toby Keith appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:05 p.m., ABC).

Tim Allen, Eddie Izzard and Chingy are booked on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … D.L. Hughley hosts Jane Seymour and Judah Friedlander on “The Late, Late Show” (11:37 p.m., CBS).