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Season 1 – Popular

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Popular Sep 1999 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
60% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 100% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
It's a culture clash of epic proportions when cheerleader Brooke and unpopular journalist Sam, girls on the opposite ends of the school hierarchy, find themselves forced to make nice when Brooke's father meets Sam's mother on a cruise and become engaged. The girls are forced to reside in the same house, and their groups of friends are forced to socialize. Their groups of friends include smart-but-socially-awkward Harrison, popular quarterback Josh, power-hungry cheerleader Nicole and bubbly (but not-too-bright) cheerleader Mary.
Popular — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Popular is more irreverent and energetic than your average high school comedy, but its frenetic style and caustic attitude may keep some viewers at arm's length.

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Critics Reviews

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Alison Herman The Ringer 06/26/2018
The show is an acidic, insightful survey of a social ecosystem - and an early preview of a sensibility that would come to dominate TV. Go to Full Review LaToya Ferguson AV Club 06/26/2018
The first season as a whole is full of memorable, off-kilter gems. Go to Full Review Michele Greppi New York Post 06/26/2018
The point gets lost in the forced hubbub created by the producers, who haven't got anything new or thoughtful to say but who are going to exercise their TV First Amendment anyway. Go to Full Review Terry Kelleher People Magazine 06/26/2018
Popular makes valid points about the unfairness of social stratification. But with its gimmicky camera work and flights of surrealism, it tries too hard to be hip. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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01/21/2020 I really enjoyed this show so many years ago. It actually was a very intelligent series that gave food for thought and criticized shallowness, obsession with appearances, and the "keep with the joneses" mentality. People need more shows like that, being true to yourself and kind to others should be a priority in our society. See more Read all reviews
Popular — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Carly Pope

Sam McPherson

Leslie Bibb

Brooke McQueen

Tammy Lynn Michaels

Nicole Julian

Kip Pardue

Actor

Christopher Gorham

Harrison John

Tamara Mello

Lily Esposito

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 29, 1999 Round One Two young women's lives clash in the high-school quest for popularity when their parents become engaged. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 30, 1999 Mo' Menace, Mo' Problems Brooke's boyfriend lands the lead in the school musical; Sam feels responsible for Carmen not making the cheerleading team. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 7, 1999 Under Siege Brooke and Sam are forced into dinner plans together with their parents; Sam's cheerleading expose ignites a war; Josh must choose between a football game or the school musical. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 14, 1999 Windstruck Rumors fly when Sam and Josh share an awkward moment during play rehearsal; Brooke confides to Nicole that she and Josh are still virgins. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 21, 1999 Slumber Party Massacre Sam is suspicious when the cheerleaders agree to attend Carmen's slumber party; Carmen's mother stumbles upon Brooke and Josh in an upstairs room. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 4, 1999 Truth or Consequences Animosity deepens when Brooke and Sam discover their parents have been lying to them; Sam tries to expose a cheating ring in biology class; a food fight breaks out. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 11, 1999 Queen B. Brooke is forced to compete against Mary Cherry and her combative mother for the title of homecoming queen. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 18, 1999 Tonight's the Night Brooke must prove her relationship with Josh isn't just about sex, while Sam must bag a boyfriend; Lily launches a condom campaign. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 2, 1999 Wild Wild Mess Brooke worries about some inconclusive test results; students compete in a "Principal for a Day" school contest. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 9, 1999 Fall on Your Knees Brooke and Sam grudgingly combine their holiday traditions, while a scornful, mean-spirited Nicole is visited by three ghosts. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 13, 2000 Ex, Lies and Videotape Josh's decision to star in the school musical causes tension at home; a national television program chooses Brooke and Sam to produce a segment about popularity. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 20, 2000 The Trial of Emory Dick After receiving a failing grade, a vengeful Emory Dick puts the whole school on trial, winning the support of Sam, Carmen and other outcasts. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 27, 2000 Hope in a Jar Both Carmen and Sam want to ask Josh to the Sadie Hawkins dance, while Nicole dares Lily to take the school's biggest outcast. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 3, 2000 Caged! The girls get locked in the school bathroom; Harrison, Josh and Sugar Daddy get trapped in Ms. Glass' biology classroom. Details Episode 15 Aired Feb 10, 2000 Booty Camp Nicole and her peers are sent off to the school's new sensitivity camp, a boot-camp for the politically incorrect. Details Episode 16 Aired Feb 17, 2000 All About Adam Sam wins a modeling contest to shoot a commercial with members of the U.S. Women's World Cup Soccer Team (Tiffeny Milbrett, Tisha Venturini). Details Episode 17 Aired Feb 24, 2000 Lord of the Files Harrison writes a song about Josh and Carmen's fledgling romance; Nicole, Mary Cherry and Poppy compete for the attentions of a handsome new principal. Details Episode 18 Aired Apr 20, 2000 Ch-Ch-Changes Harrison enlists support to defend the transsexual shop teacher (Louis Mustillo) after school officials threaten to terminate his employment. Details Episode 19 Aired Apr 27, 2000 Hard on the Outside, Soft in the Middle Sam and her friends dye their hair blonde, while Brooke and her clique become brunettes; a new girl named Exquisite Woo courts Sugar Daddy. Details Episode 20 Aired May 4, 2000 We Are Family Brooke and Sam launch a full-fledged campaign to stop their parents' wedding; Cherry Cherry announces her plans to marry actor Erik Estrada. Details Episode 21 Aired May 11, 2000 What Makes Sammy Run Sam goes to San Francisco to find Brooke's long-lost mother in an attempt to stop their parents' marriage. Details Episode 22 Aired May 18, 2000 Two Weddings and a Funeral Brooke and Sam's parents try to marry; Brooke and Sam attempt to expose Nurse Glass' efforts to frame students. Details

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Season Info

Director
Jamie Babbit, Michael M. Robin, Lev Spiro, Perry Lang, Marc Buckland, Elodie Keene, Arvin Brown, Craig Zisk, David Petrarca
Executive Producer
Ryan Murphy, Gina Matthews, Greer Shephard, Michael M. Robin
Screenwriter
Ryan Murphy, Wendy MacLeod, Ari Posner, Edward Kitsis, Oliver Goldstick, Adam Horowitz, Eric Preven
Network
The WB
Rating
TV-14 (D|V|L)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 29, 1999