"Popular" (1999) TV series 1999-2001

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Creators:

Gina Matthews
Ryan Murphy

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

29 September 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

High School | Rivalry | High School Athlete | Transvestite | Gay Rights

Awards:

5 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Leslie Bibb	...	Brooke McQueen (43 episodes, 1999-2001)
Carly Pope	...	Samantha '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	...	Miss Roberta 'Bobbi' Glass / ... (43 episodes, 1999-2001)
Adria Dawn	...	April Tuna (19 episodes, 1999-2001)

Runtime:

60 min (43 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Murphy/Matthews Productions

Trivia:

In the show, the main girl's bathroom is called "The Novak" which holds all the pictures of the homecoming queens. The name is inspired by when movie stars would donate money to schools (often an alma mater). The writers found out that 'Kim Novak' actually did donate money to a school in the Santa Monica area (where the school/show is set), so they named this room after her.

Quotes:

Harrison John: I thought that you of all people at this school would be different.
Samantha 'Sam' McPherson: I am different.
Harrison John: You want to be unique, sure. Just like everyone else.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Grosse Pointe: Mommy Dearest (#1.6)" (2000)

Soundtrack:

Highschool Highway

Great!

I thought that this show would be somewhat stereotyped when I first tuned in. The only person who is really stereotyped is Nicole, but I don't really like her anyway. I do think that casting Sara Rue as Carmen was a great choice. More casting directors should take a tip and cast more curvy girls! Leslie Bibb and Carly Pope are great as Brooke and Sam, and I really like the character of Lily, played by Tamara Mello, she is so underrated and deserves more attention. Leslie Grossman and Ron Lester are hilarious as Mary Cherry and Sugar Daddy. And before we go into a debate over whether Josh is cuter than Harrison, let me answer HARRISON hands down! So just watch this show, and enjoy it as much as I do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!