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The Best Episodes of Popular

Every episode of Popular ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Popular!

Binge this in 1d 7h•Peaking at 8.6/10

Brooke McQueen, a popular cheerleader at Jacqueline Kennedy High School, and Sam McPherson, the editor of the school paper, are polar opposites. When their single parents unexpectedly meet and get engaged, Brooke and Sam have

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Popular Season 1 Episode 14 - Caged!
    8.6/10(96 votes)

    #1 - Caged!

    S1:E14

    Mounting tensions between Sam's friends and Brooke's clique lead to a proposed rumble, but the guys intervene and lock the ladies in a school bathroom in an attempt to make them reconcile. Meanwhile, Josh, Harrison and Sugar Daddy get an education on ovulation from a nature film provided by Bobbi Glass.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  2. Popular Season 1 Episode 10 - Fall on Your Knees
    8.5/10(100 votes)

    #2 - Fall on Your Knees

    S1:E10

    Brooke and Sam are forced to hold their annual Christmas parties together, and Carmen is injured just weeks before the next round of cheerleader tryouts. Meanwhile, Nicole's brooding over the yuletide season leads to visits from the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

    Director:Elodie Keene
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  3. Popular Season 2 Episode 14 - The News of My Death Has Been Greatly Exaggerated
    8.5/10(66 votes)

    #3 - The News of My Death Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

    S2:E14

    Lily, Carmen, Mary Cherry and Brooke are peacefully riding Lily's car when they pass by a car crash and notice the Gremlin's license plate, TUNA69, and realize that the car belongs to their classmate April Tuna. The entire school is touched by her death and they make a memorial service in her honor. Everyone's feeling guilty about how they treated her. Josh gets a new hairstyle and joins the ""mullets"" club. Nicole finds out that the cafeteria lady is in fact her long lost birth mom. Sam gets an email from Harrison telling her he loves her and asks her to choose between him and George. Nicole gets an email too, saying what a bitch she is. She admits being a bitch at the memorial service, and April suddenly appears, saying she was not in the car that got crashed.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  4. Popular Season 1 Episode 11 - Ex, Lies and Videotape
    8.1/10(72 votes)

    #4 - Ex, Lies and Videotape

    S1:E11

    Sam gets a chance to produce a segment on a syndicated TV show--with one catch--Brooke is the on-air talent. Meanwhile, Josh must tell his father that he can't make a dinner with college scouts, which is scheduled for the opening night of the musical; and April Tuna becomes obsessed with Carmen.

    Director:Arvin Brown
    Writers:Eric Preven, Ari Posner

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  5. Popular Season 1 Episode 13 - Hope in a Jar
    8.1/10(77 votes)

    #5 - Hope in a Jar

    S1:E13

    A Sadie Hawkins dance has most of the students obsessing over their appearances, while Brooke considers inviting a young man of substance. Meanwhile, Nicole, Poppy and Mary Cherry follow a dangerous crash diet: the one who loses the most weight gets to ask out the gorgeous guy they all pine for.

    Director:David Petrarca
    Writer:Wendy MacLeod

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  6. Popular Season 2 Episode 5 - Joe Loves Mary Cherry
    8.1/10(61 votes)

    #6 - Joe Loves Mary Cherry

    S2:E5

    Nicole is desperate to save her popularity, which is falling since she was banned from the Glamazons. She tells Brooke that she should dump Josh and start dating George. Harrison is feeling a little bit jealous about Sam and George flirting, and so he and Nicole team up to make a study on attraction for chemistry class. Brooke and Josh break up. Sam feels like she lost again to Brooke when she sees she and George together. But George tells Sam he is really into her and they kiss. Josh and Lily find themselves attracted to each other when he helps her to send a gay chimp back to his lover in Uganda. Harrison learns more about Mary Cherry and starts to have feelings for her (could it be love?). Jane tells Mike she's pregnant.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, James Duff

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Popular

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  7. Popular Season 2 Episode 7 - Ur-ine Trouble
    8.1/10(59 votes)

    #7 - Ur-ine Trouble

    S2:E7

    Harrison reveals that he has been taking medicine for bad headaches, which later turns out to be leukemia. Harrison is forced to withdraw from the campaign and Brooke wins. Sam realizes what she is doing and quits from Homecoming Queen election. Nicole, Mary Cherry and Hellacious team up to beat Carmen in the election and prove that there is no place for her. Reaching as low as publicizing Carm's mom's alcoholism and make her look as an alcoholic teenager. Carmen moves back to her mom's to support her and wins the election. Hellacious tries to cheat, but Principal Krupps busts her. Ms. Glass has her comeback and helps taking all her pictures off the girl's room homecoming queen hall of fame. Lily turns herself in to save Josh, but they are a couple now, and he decides to get punished with her.

    Director:Michael M. Robin
    Writers:Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz

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  8. Popular Season 2 Episode 21 - Promblems
    8.1/10(73 votes)

    #8 - Promblems

    S2:E21

    Sam and Brooke help deliver Jane's baby (in one of tv's fastest labors) and realize that they can't fight over Harrison, so they both agree on going with him to the prom (ménage?). Nicole is thirsty for revenge and gets George into asking her to the prom, since he is hurt by what Sam's doing. Josh and Lily are trying to handle their marriage, and decide they should get a place of their own, since Lily's mother disapproval has become unbearable. So they move to the now available Ms. Glass's basement. But they have too much pressure on their hands, since Ms. Glass is using them for house chores and they are totally broke, to the point of Lily having to sell organic soap at the school and Josh getting a job as a window salesman. And they're still trying to consume their wedding. Mary Cherry is touched by the sisterhood of Brooke and Sam, and decides she wants a sister too. She asks Nicole to be her sister, but the Devil turns down the offer. Suddenly, Mary Cherry's long lost twin sister (

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  9. Popular Season 1 Episode 1 - Popular, Round One
    8.0/10(96 votes)

    #9 - Popular, Round One

    S1:E1

    In the series pilot, social opposites Sam and Brooke are paired as lab partners, to the delight of Carmen, who sees it as a chance for Sam to help her get on the cheerleading squad. Meanwhile, Brooke and Nicole plan the first party of the school year and star quarterback Josh tries out for the school play.

    Director:Brian Robbins
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  10. Popular Season 1 Episode 2 - Mo' Menace, Mo' Problems
    8.0/10(84 votes)

    #10 - Mo' Menace, Mo' Problems

    S1:E2

    Carmen ditches school the day after the cheerleading roster is posted, and Lily refuses to dissect a frog in science class. Meanwhile, Josh's father embarrasses him at rehearsal; and Mary Cherry stalks Nicole.

    Director:Michael M. Robin
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  11. Popular Season 1 Episode 7 - Queen B.
    8.0/10(74 votes)

    #11 - Queen B.

    S1:E7

    Brooke, Poppy, Mary Cherry and Carmen are nominated for the Junior Court Homecoming Queen and Nicole pressures two of Brooke's opponents to halt their campaigns. Meanwhile, Sam and Jane move into the McQueens' house, causing an instant turf war between Brooke and Sam.

    Director:Matthew Harrison
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  12. Popular Season 1 Episode 8 - Tonight's the Night
    8.0/10(75 votes)

    #12 - Tonight's the Night

    S1:E8

    Sam and Brooke wager on whether or not Sam can land a boyfriend by the end of the week and whether Brooke can prove that her relationship with Josh is more than just physical, with the loser publicly joining an embarrassing club. Meanwhile, Lily hands out condoms to her classmates in response to the popularity of a new singer whose sexual image is mimicked by some students at Kennedy High.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz

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  13. Popular Season 1 Episode 16 - All About Adam
    8.0/10(81 votes)

    #13 - All About Adam

    S1:E16

    A new male student sets out to join the cheerleading squad--by any means necessary. Meanwhile, Sam bests Brooke in a modeling contest and nets an opportunity to appear in a commercial with U.S. Women's World Cup soccer stars Tiffeny Milbrett and Tisha Venturini.

    Directors:Michael M. Robin, Perry Lang
    Writer:Wendy MacLeod

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  14. Popular Season 1 Episode 19 - Hard on the Outside, Soft in the Middle
    8.0/10(72 votes)

    #14 - Hard on the Outside, Soft in the Middle

    S1:E19

    When Sam, Lily and Carmen dye their hair blonde to prove that the popular girls' power is based on their hair color, Brooke and her friends set out to prove them wrong by darkening their own tresses. Meanwhile, a beautiful, new exchange student is attracted to Sugar Daddy.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  15. Popular Season 1 Episode 6 - Truth or Consequences
    7.9/10(75 votes)

    #15 - Truth or Consequences

    S1:E6

    Sam discovers that Nicole, Poppy and Mary Cherry stole the answers to the biology midterm, and she sets out to gather the evidence she needs to turn them in. Meanwhile, Mike and Jane's sneaking around angers Brooke and Sam.

    Director:Marc Buckland
    Writers:Eric Preven, Ari Posner

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  16. Popular Season 1 Episode 9 - Wild Wild Mess
    7.9/10(71 votes)

    #16 - Wild Wild Mess

    S1:E9

    The students embark on finding nominees for "Principal for the Day," while a custodial strike leaves the school a mess. Meanwhile, Brooke fears she may be pregnant; and Sam, Carmen and Lily discover something personal about Harrison's mother.

    Director:Lev L. Spiro
    Writer:Oliver Goldstick

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  17. Popular Season 1 Episode 12 - The Trial of Emory Dick
    7.9/10(71 votes)

    #17 - The Trial of Emory Dick

    S1:E12

    Emory puts the popular kids, Bobbi Glass and the lunch lady on trial for harassing him. Sam and Lily volunteer to represent him at the school's mock proceeding, which leads Principal Hall to ask Brooke to lead the defense. Meanwhile, Josh and Sugar look forward to the start of the wrestling season.

    Director:Perry Lang
    Writer:Oliver Goldstick

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  18. Popular Season 1 Episode 18 - Ch-Ch-Changes
    7.9/10(91 votes)

    #18 - Ch-Ch-Changes

    S1:E18

    Harrison campaigns to save the job of the school's shop teacher when the instructor's career is jeopardized by his announcement of plans for a sex-change operation. Meanwhile, Cherry Cherry teaches a home-economics course at Kennedy High as part of her community service sentence for punching a police officer.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writers:Eric Preven, Ari Posner

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  19. Popular Season 2 Episode 10 - The Consequences of Falling
    7.9/10(67 votes)

    #19 - The Consequences of Falling

    S2:E10

    Clarence dies peacefully while talking to Harrison. His death has a deep impact in Harrison's own view of life, and he decides is not worth to keep the treatment for his cancer. He goes to extreme measures and decides to put an end in his agony, attempting suicide. But Clarence comes back as an angel to give Harrison a view of what the world would be if he had never been born. We see that April would have become a rich successful owner of a fish market (Tunaville); Brooke would have died from anorexia, Lily would have married Josh after pregnancy and they would have become the first family, and among other twisted things, Nicole and Mary Cherry trying to make a living as whores with Sugar Daddy as their pimp.

    Director:Michael M. Robin
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  20. Popular Season 1 Episode 3 - Under Siege
    7.8/10(81 votes)

    #20 - Under Siege

    S1:E3

    Sam writes an exposé about the cheerleaders' school budget, leading to the squad's termination and its remaining funds being redistributed to the drama department. The exposé also heightens the tension between Brooke and Sam as they prepare for their first dinner together with their parents. Meanwhile, Josh must decide between starring in the school musical or playing in the homecoming game.

    Director:Perry Lang
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  21. Popular Season 1 Episode 4 - Windstruck
    7.8/10(75 votes)

    #21 - Windstruck

    S1:E4

    Sam and Josh have an embarrassing encounter during a play rehearsal, starting rumors that they are interested in each other. Meanwhile, Brooke confesses to Nicole that she and Josh are still virgins, and Harrison's hope for a relationship with Brooke gets a boost when she turns to him for comfort.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writer:Oliver Goldstick

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  22. Popular Season 1 Episode 5 - Slumber Party Massacre
    7.8/10(83 votes)

    #22 - Slumber Party Massacre

    S1:E5

    Members of the cheerleading squad agree to attend Carmen's slumber party, causing Sam to question their motives. At the party, Nicole tries to impress Carmen's older brother, Leo, and a party game takes a disturbing turn.

    Director:Michael M. Robin
    Writer:Wendy MacLeod

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  23. Popular Season 1 Episode 15 - Booty Camp
    7.8/10(80 votes)

    #23 - Booty Camp

    S1:E15

    Principal Hall forces Josh, Harrison and Sugar Daddy to attend a weekend sensitivity camp after they harass a scantily clad Lily. Sam and Brooke work on the school's crisis hot line and inadvertently heighten one of the caller's problems.

    Director:Michael M. Robin
    Writers:Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz

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  24. Popular Season 2 Episode 15 - It's Greek to Me
    7.8/10(56 votes)

    #24 - It's Greek to Me

    S2:E15

    Nicole's mom is not so happy about her spending time with her birth mom. Judy Julian tries to bribe Nicole's mom so she would disappear. Shaggy leaves and Nicole and Judy become closer. Meanwhile, the girls are bored with the immature behavior of the boys and their boring lives as high school students. Brooke meets a college girl who invites them to a college party. Sam and Lily are stuck at home for lying about where they where going and spend up playing board games with Sam's parents all night. Carmem meets a boy and goes up to his room. Feeling that something might happen, she hides inside the closet until the boys come to rescue her. After their experience at the frat party, the group learns that high school isn't so bad after all.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writers:Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz

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  25. Popular Season 1 Episode 21 - What Makes Sammy Run
    7.7/10(66 votes)

    #25 - What Makes Sammy Run

    S1:E21

    Sam runs away from home and hunts for Brooke's mother, with the hope that the woman will help her put an end to Mike and Jane's wedding plans. Meanwhile, Josh, Sugar Daddy, Harrison and Emory Dick go to a strip club with fake IDs.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writers:Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz

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Best Episodes Summary

"Caged!" is the best rated episode of "Popular". It scored 8.6/10 based on 96 votes. Directed by Jamie Babbit and written by Ryan Murphy, it aired on 2/3/2000. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Fall on Your Knees".