Kennedy High
sophomores Brooke (Leslie Bibb), popular cheerleader, and Sam
(Carly Pope), unpopular journalist, navigate the highs school
popularity battlefield as
they learn that Brooke's dad and Sam's mom are engaged. Their
friends, including activist Lilly (Tamara Mello), hell-on-wheels
Nicole (Tammy Lynn Michaels), sensitive guy Harrison (Christopher
Gorham), jock Josh (Bryce Johnson) and overweight Carmen (Sara
Rue) join them in relationships, humiliations, and wild turns of
events.
CRITIQUE
The WB network
specialized in young adult dramas during its successful early years
and still does, with shows like Smallville. Their series had
varying levels of ratings and critical success. Though it only lasted
two seasons, Popular was an hour-long drama that proved to be
quite a funny and well-written satirical jibe at the high school caste
system.
The scripting of
the series is one of its best elements. The plotting is a wonderful
mix of the typical adolescent drama tropes of couples getting together
and breaking up, love triangles and rivalries, and some flat out
surprises. A lot of it feels real, like the conversation between
Brooke and Carmen about body image or the times you accidentally
insult a friend, and the dialogue often crackles. You'll recognize the
archetypes of some of the characters and Sam has some cute daydreams.
What sets this
series apart, though, is its tone. Though an hour long, there is more
comedy here than drama. Poignant moments come alongside laugh-out-loud
humor, which sometimes borders on the absurd or morbid. One episode is
built around the girls being locked in the restroom, all with PMS!
Body image, for both the girls and guys, is the major theme of another
episode. The overall feeling of fun never leaves, though. I guess you
could say we're shown high school as it is and as it ought to be.
The episodes have
different directors, but there are some touches that stand out. The
pilot has a nice parallelism at the beginning, with two credit
sequences and similar scenes between Brooke and Sam with their
parents. Slow motion is employed by different directors at memorable
times. Every once in a while a unique camera angle will catch the
viewer’s eye, too.
My only hesitation
would be with the casting here. Bibb and Pope lead the
ensemble and they deliver fine performances. Rue is exceptional,
Johnson is
surprisingly good, and there is a popular character named Mary Cherry,
played
by Leslie Grossman, who's the most hilarious Southern debutante ever
put on
screen. My personal fave, though, is Gorham as Harrison. He just knows
what he's
doing. Period. So why don't I completely approve of the casting?
Because
anyone could look at the so-called "unattractive" unpopular characters
and see that
they really are very attractive.
THE VIDEO
Preservation of the
original television broadcast is achieved with a full screen format.
THE AUDIO
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound lets you hear every great line.
THE EXTRAS
Audio Commentaryon 4 episodes features the writer and
director of the episode and various actors. The tracks spark with
camaraderie and laughter. You can tell they really enjoy the episodes.
There is plenty of behind-the-scenes info imparted and
discussion/praise of the artisans who worked on the series, like the
director of photography. There is also commentary on the style of the
series and the performances.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This surprisingly
entertaining series quickly becomes addictive. It's genuinely well
written and acted, which will appeal to lots of people outside the
young adult set. Just fun to watch and I wish there'd been more extra
features. Let's hope Season 2 is soon to come and include more extras.
