More TV Memories – Popular.

Popular (WB, 1999-2001)

This is just about the last show that I have to review that I first saw as part of Channel 5’s weekend afternoon schedules that were aimed at teenage viewers about two decades ago now. I’m not kidding when I say I discovered a lot of great shows in that slot that I’m still fond of to this day, including Daria, Harry And Cosh, Our Hero, The Tribe, and I hope I’m not the only one, it was such an unexpected source of entertainment back in those years, and I’ve very much enjoyed being able to share my memories of them.

Popular is an American teen drama series that was first shown in this country on Sky One, but I saw it on Channel 5 in the early-2000s. Now I am not usually a fan of shows in this genre, such as Dawson’s Creek or One Tree Hill (“high school is such as serious thing, these problems matter“), but this was more of a comedy-drama which wasn’t as serious as those others, and it was sometimes compared to Clueless (that I also reviewed recently).

The show also made stars of Leslie Bibb and Sara Rue (what do you mean, “who?”). Popular was set the Kennedy High School in Los Angeles (and you must look beyond the fact that like in most of these type of shows most of the cast were actually well into their 20s) where it really was the most important thing to be popular, it caused a lot of angst for everyone, including their teachers and families, and it was all soundtracked by some fancy pop music.

There were a variety of characters. Among the main ones were Brooke McQueen and Sam McPherson, who are at opposite ends of the popularity scale, but then Brooke’s dad then ends up marrying Sam’s mum, which is rather awkward, as despite their differences they’ve now got to get to know each other and become closer. It’s going to be weird to potty (sorry, that’s the second Family Guy reference I’ve sneaked into this piece, I’ll try and stop now).

For some reason, one episode that I remember standing out was when all the blondes dyed their hair brunette, and vice versa, as they tried to challenge some stereotypes. Honestly, the way that people carried on in the days before Facebook, however did they do it? There were 43 hour-long episodes of Popular in two series, but I don’t think that any of them have been released on DVD in this country. If you’re not familiar with it, I would definitely recommend it.