Created by Gina Matthews and Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck), this 1999-2001 WB-aired series turned the teen angst genre on its ear with a near-psychotic, hilarious spin on all aspects of the high school hierarchy. The debut set of episodes introduces viewers to Kennedy High School rival clique leaders Brooke McQueen (Leslie Bibb), the fashionable have-it-all blonde Glamazon cheerleader, and Samantha “Sam” McPherson (Carly Pope), a chip-on-the-shoulder, conforming non-conformist journalist brunette--who are thrust together by a) those darned alphabetical seating arrangements, and b) a sincere season-arcing romance between Sam's widowed mom and Brooke's abandoned dad. The prickly pair feud about nearly everything: Sam claims Brooke is conceited and ruthless; Brooke thinks Sam's just a jealous wannabe…and they don't mind dragging their friends into the fracas! The ensemble cast includes Brooke's elite circle: dim quarterback boyfriend Josh (Bryce Johnson), side-splittingly vindictive second-in-command Nicole (Tammy Lynn Michaels, partner of songstress Melissa Etheridge), portly jock wanksta Sugar Daddy (Ron Lester), and wealthy eccentric Southern new girl Mary Cherry (Leslie Erin Grossman). And then there's Sam's geekier group: chunky insecure cheerleader hopeful Carmen (Sara Rue, Less Than Perfect), touchy human/civil/animal rights crusader Lily (Tamara Mello), and witty dork-next-door Harrison (Christopher Gorham). From silly misunderstandings and money problems, to wobbly romances and sex-changing teachers (not to mention the abduction of “Gwyneth Paltrow's personal shopper”), the first season's 22 episodes feature wild fantasy sequences (see the music video parody in “Tonight's the Night” or the Christmas episode “Fall on Your Knees”), roll-on-the-floor dialogue, and strange, endearing characters. DVD extras include three commentary tracks. Recommended. Sadly, the 21-episode second season also marked the series finale for Popular, cancelled due to poor ratings. Still, the impending guillotine seemed to inspire the producers to create more extreme havoc, often with outrageous guest stars: Peggy Lipton continues her stint as Brooke's long-lost mom, Ann-Margret plays God to a leukemia-stricken Harrison in “Are You There God? It's Me, Ann-Margret,” Mario Lopez guests as Carmen's Spanish-speaking dance teacher, and RuPaul--in full drag--surprises Mary Cherry with the news that he's her real daddy. The dizzying relationship webs also thicken: (take a big breath) Sam turns girly over new boyfriend George, whose relationship breaks the heart of Harrison, who becomes strangely evil after a bone marrow transplant from heinous Nicole, who brazenly bullies Mary Cherry and backstabs Brooke, who--bulimia back in full force--breaks up with Josh, who falls in love with Lily whilst attempting to reunite a gay chimp and his lover. Got it? DVD extras include two commentary tracks. Even with the wacky inevitable cliffhanger (full of unanswered questions), this refreshingly over-the-top swan song to a series that sidestepped dreary melodrama in favor of just the right mix of absurdity and wit is highly recommended. (J. Williams-Wood)
Popular: The Complete First Season; Popular: The Complete Second Season
Buena Vista, 6 discs, 900 min., not rated, DVD: $59.99 May 30, 2005
Popular: The Complete First Season; Popular: The Complete Second Season
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: