Popular: Season 1

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Mixed or average reviews based on 24 Critic Reviews

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Season Details & Credits

WB | The WB | TWB | Season Premiere Date: September 29, 1999

Starring: Leslie Bibb, Scott Bryce, Christopher Gorham

Summary: Who’s hot? Who’s not? The popular ones, the unpopular ones, the jocks, the geeks. Kennedy High is the set for a big war: the popular against the unpopular. This is the concept behind the 99-01 teen television series Popular.

On the popular side: Brooke McQueen, a gorgeous blonde, and the head cheerleader; backed up by her best friendWho’s hot? Who’s not? The popular ones, the unpopular ones, the jocks, the geeks. Kennedy High is the set for a big war: the popular against the unpopular. This is the concept behind the 99-01 teen television series Popular.

On the popular side: Brooke McQueen, a gorgeous blonde, and the head cheerleader; backed up by her best friend Nicole, the Devil in person; as well as her boyfriend, Josh Ford, star of the football team; Mary Cherry, the psychotic multi-millionaire Texan girl; and Sugar Daddy, the heavy-set wannbe gangsta and football player.

On the unpopular side: Sam McPherson, the smart girl who is always looking to expose injustice; Harrison, the geek with a crush on the head cheerleader; Carmen Ferrara, the heavy girl with the warm heart; and Lily, the confused activist girl with the boyish look.

Brooke and Sam, enemies by nature, must deal with their parents’ marriage to each other and their high school rivalry.

Opening Theme Song:
"Supermodels" performed by Kendall Payne
Closing Theme Song:
"High School Highway" performed by Sydney Forest
(opening song for 1st episode)

Awards and Nominations:
2000 - Teen Choice Awards - Won! Breakout Show
2000 - TV Guide Awards - Nominated Favorite Teen Show
2000 - Genesis Awards - Won! New Series (For episode "Under Siege").
2000 - GLAAD Media Award - Won! Outstanding TV Individual Episode (For ep. "Wild Wild Mess").
2000 - Casting Society of America - Nominated Best Casting for TV, Comedy Pilot
2001 - GLAAD Media Award - Nominated Outstanding TV Comedy Series
2001 - Genesis Awards - Won! Comedy Series (For episode "Joe Loves Mary Cherry").… Expand

Creator: Gina Matthews and Ryan Murphy

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama

Season 1 Episodes

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S1:E22. Two Weddings and a Funeral (1)
Air Date: May 18, 2000
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S1:E21. What Makes Sammy Run
Air Date: May 11, 2000
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S1:E20. We Are Family
Air Date: May 4, 2000

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Scott D. Pierce

Jun 19, 2013

The show rings so true, in a hyper-reality sort of way. [28 Sept 1999, p.C09]

Robert P. Laurence

Jun 20, 2013

Much of Popular is just silly, but much of it is also poignant and true. Consider Carmen (Sara Rue), who wants desperately to be a cheerleader. Carmen's a heavy girl, but a terrific dancer. [28 Sept 1999, p.E-1]

Gail Pennington

Jun 20, 2013

Always messy, often rude, sometimes poignant and frequently annoying, Popular is - come to think of it - a lot like teen-agers themselves. And that just could make it the most authentic high school series of the year. [28 Sept 1999, p.D6]

John Levesque

Jun 19, 2013

The acting needs to improve. Bibb is the show's standout as the popular girl with demons of her own, but Pope isn't entirely convincing as the outsider harboring a secret desire to fit in. Same goes for the supporting cast. Some are pros, notably Tamara Mello as a feisty activist and Sara Rue as the overweight cheerleader wannabe, but others appear to be graduates of the "Saved by the Bell" school of the performing arts. [29 Sept 1999, p.C10]

Mike Duffy

Jun 19, 2013

During its opening two episodes, Popular is basically content to be just another jaunty, semi-"Clueless" spoke on WB's glossy teen entertainment wheel. Great to look at, yes, but short on emotional depth. [29 Sept 1999, p.5E]

Eric Mink

Jun 19, 2013

Trying too hard is exactly what "Popular" seems to be doing: trying too hard to look and sound cool with gimmicky production techniques, trying too hard to tap into teenage angst, trying too hard to suggest bridges between high school's supposed in-kids and its outcasts. [29 Sept 1999, p.72]

Tom Shales

Jun 19, 2013

Despicably trivial and baldly pandering. [29 Sept 1999, p.C01]

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Tss5078

Feb 24, 2013

This is the first production from the creator of GLEE. In a sense it's GLEE with an attitude and without the music. This show is about the popular and outcast kids in high school and how their worlds come together when a parent from each side marry each other. It's funny, edgy, and most ofThis is the first production from the creator of GLEE. In a sense it's GLEE with an attitude and without the music. This show is about the popular and outcast kids in high school and how their worlds come together when a parent from each side marry each other. It's funny, edgy, and most of all real. It is very well written and launched several careers. Their are characters that everyone can relate to and story-lines for everyone ranging from funny to emotional, I highly recommend this show!… Expand

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Seasons & Episodes

54

Series Overview
Season 2

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- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 22, 2000
Season 1

54
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 29, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E22. Two Weddings and a Funeral (1)
  Air Date: May 18, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E21. What Makes Sammy Run
  Air Date: May 11, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E20. We Are Family
  Air Date: May 4, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E19. Hard on the Outside, Soft in the Middle
  Air Date: April 27, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E18. Ch-Ch-Changes
  Air Date: April 20, 2000
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  S1:E17. Lord of the Files
  Air Date: February 24, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E16. All About Adam
  Air Date: February 17, 2000
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  S1:E15. Booty Camp
  Air Date: February 10, 2000
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  S1:E14. Caged!
  Air Date: February 3, 2000
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  S1:E13. Hope in a Jar
  Air Date: January 27, 2000
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  S1:E12. The Trial of Emory Dick
  Air Date: January 20, 2000
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  S1:E11. Ex, Lies and Videotape
  Air Date: January 13, 2000
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  S1:E10. Fall on Your Knees
  Air Date: December 9, 1999
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  S1:E9. Wild Wild Mess
  Air Date: December 2, 1999
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  S1:E8. Tonight's the Night
  Air Date: November 18, 1999
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  S1:E7. Queen B.
  Air Date: November 11, 1999
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  S1:E6. Truth or Consequences
  Air Date: November 4, 1999
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  S1:E5. Slumber Party Massacre
  Air Date: October 21, 1999
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  S1:E4. Windstruck
  Air Date: October 14, 1999
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  S1:E3. Under Siege
  Air Date: October 7, 1999
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  S1:E2. Mo' Menace, Mo' Problems (2)
  Air Date: September 30, 1999
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  S1:E1. Popular, Round One (1)
  Air Date: September 29, 1999