Popular (1999–2001)

Two girls who despise each other, due to being on opposite sides of the "popularity fence", are forced together upon learning that their parents are getting married.

Creators:

Gina Matthews, Ryan Murphy

Stars:

Leslie Bibb, Carly Pope, Tamara Mello

5 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Leslie Bibb	...	Brooke McQueen (43 episodes, 1999-2001)
Carly Pope	...	Sam McPherson (43 episodes, 1999-2001)
Tamara Mello	...	Lily Esposito (43 episodes, 1999-2001)
Christopher Gorham	...	Harrison John (43 episodes, 1999-2001)
Sara Rue	...	Carmen Ferrara (43 episodes, 1999-2001)
Bryce Johnson	...	Josh Ford (43 episodes, 1999-2001)
Tammy Lynn Michaels	...	Nicole Julian (43 episodes, 1999-2001)
Ron Lester	...	Michael 'Sugar Daddy' Bernardino (43 episodes, 1999-2001)
Leslie Grossman	...	Mary Cherry (43 episodes, 1999-2001)
Lisa Darr	...	Jane McPherson (43 episodes, 1999-2001)
Scott Bryce	...	Mike McQueen (43 episodes, 1999-2001)
Diane Delano	...	Bobbi Glass (36 episodes, 1999-2001)
Adria Dawn	...	April Tuna (18 episodes, 1999-2001)

Storyline

In the series pilot, two very different social opposite high school girls on different sides of the popularity circle, the blond, wealthy, attractive and popular Brooke McQueen. The "leader" of the popular crowd, Josh Ford her jock boyfriend, Nicole Julian her best-friend, and Sugar Daddy Josh's friend. Brooke and Nicole plan a party to kick off the school year inviting only those they choose to bring into their inner circle. The "Wannabe's" brunette, middle-class, wannabe and unpopular Samantha "Sam" McPherson who despises Brooke, her best-friend Harrison John, Carmen Ferrara, and activist friend Lily Esposito. Carmen wants to tryout for the cheer-leading squad as Josh contemplates joining the school musical. Sam and Brooke are paired as lab partner's to the delight of Carmen, who sees it as a chance for Sam to help her get on the cheer-leading squad. Sam takes a romantic interest in her facility advisor who wants her to interview the popular kids at Brooke's party much to Sam's ...

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Plot Keywords:

popularity | opposites | high school | school life | one word title | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 September 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cure u trendu

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Murphy/Matthews Productions, Shephard / Robin Productions, Touchstone Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (43 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The producers didn't know the show was going to get cancelled. In fact, they claim that the WB executives told them to do cliffhangers, and they did, keeping in mind that they wouldn't be cancelled and had several storylines planned for a third season.

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Quotes

[Mary Cherry isn't happy with the pretty Asian exchange student]
Mary Cherry: Exquisite, my ass!... Which Rocks!

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Connections

Referenced in Forget About It: Kickass (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Supermodels"
Theme Song
by Kendall Payne

User Reviews

Television at its finest - or maybe even better.

I remember early in the year 2000 listening to a local AM Talk Radio Station in Los Angeles (I believe it was Phil Hendrie). The topic of the hour was "What's your favorite TV Show currently on the air?" For the next hour I heard a lot of references to two shows: "Malcolm in the Middle" and this other show, "Popular." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I had already seen "Malcolm" and knew it was hilarious. But what about "Popular?"

The commercials made it look like a typical weekly teeny-bop High School show, a la "Saved By The Bell," but in Prime-Time (lest we forget Zach did go to college in the evenings though). The amount of praise I heard for "Popular" made me check it out.

The advertisements were wrong.

What I found in this show was a sleek, hilarious, dramatic, clever, filled to the brim with 80's references show not about kids in High School today (circa 1999-2000), but if kids from my generation were to go to High School today (yes, I went to High School in the 80's).

I think the failure of "Popular" was the advertising I referred to earlier for the show...it was going after kids in high school for ratings. But the show was made for (I feel) an entirely different generation. If only the ones it was made for had watched....it would probably still be on.

This is one of the few programs I have ever seen that managed to balance outright slapstick comedy with serious drama...and it did it so well in my opinion that I seriously mourned the loss of the show when it was canceled.

My favorite Season Two moments -

1) Mary Cherry's (Leslie Grossman) audition for judges, including Jim J. Bullock (way before "American Idol" became a household name). "Rock Me Amadeus, by FALCO!"

2) Nicole Julian's (Tammy Lynn Michaels) "rise" to Class President (one of the most clever and complex episodes ever written for television -- flat-out incredible comedy).

3) Every scene with Michelle Phillips ("Abra-abra-cadabra!!!!").

4) The "Gay" episode about Bobbi Glass (Diane Delano) - it gave me chills and again proved how the writers were almost magically able to juggle comedy and drama every week.

The casting of the show was simply brilliant. Everyone did an incredible job and I am pleased to see several of the cast riding other roads to fame as of 2008 (Christopher Gorham on "Jake 2.0" and then the successful "Ugly Betty").

The only thing I can pray for at this point are either reruns (Lifetime or Oxygen I'm guessing...but maybe Comedy Central?) or, *gasp* -- A DVD Release. Then a lot more people can have a chance to see a show that I firmly believe should have been "Popular."

*EDIT* Both Seasons are on DVD now. There really IS a God!

My personal thanks to the callers of that Los Angeles AM Talk Radio Program who touted the praises of this show. You got it right, and I'm glad I saw of it what I did.