Critic Reviews
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Is Popular cynical or does it have a heart? If it sticks with Rue and Josh, the show might live up to its title. For now, I'd rather go to high school with NBC's "Freaks and Geeks". [29 Sept 1999, p.E1]
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If you hate this genre, don't bother with Popular. But if you actually like spending time with teens or remember your own adolescence, Popular isn't the worst depiction of the not-so-wonderful years. [29 Sept 1999, p.E-1]
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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]
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This split-personality series that speaks with two voices: one thoughtful and intelligent, the louder one glib and derivative. [29 Sept 1999, p.F6]
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The characters are drawn overly broad, situations are grindingly forced, and efforts at social commentary and smart parody are Cliff Notes of real life. [29 Sept 1999, p.1E]
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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]
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Popular makes valid points about the unfairness of social stratification. But with its gimmicky camera work (whoa, we're on fast-forward) and flights of surrealism (talking frog in bio lab), it tries too hard to be hip.
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Yikes, this is calculating. Ouch, is it way too self-aware (even for teens). There's a caste system in high school? Are you shocked to learn this? [29 Sept 1999, p.B03]
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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]
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 2 out of 2
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Mixed: 0 out of 2
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Negative: 0 out of 2
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Feb 24, 2013