The Best Episodes of Popular

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
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   REVEAL THE WINNER
   

   8.9/10(109 votes)

   #1 - Caged!

   S1:E142/3/2000

   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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   Director:Jamie Babbit

   Writer:Ryan Murphy
2. 

   8.8/10(95 votes)

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

   S2:E142/23/2001

   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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   Director:Ryan Murphy

   Writer:Ryan Murphy
3. 

   8.7/10(114 votes)

   #3 - Fall on Your Knees

   S1:E1012/9/1999

   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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   Director:Elodie Keene

   Writer:Ryan Murphy
4. 

   8.5/10(85 votes)

   #4 - Ex, Lies and Videotape

   S1:E111/13/2000

   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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   Director:Arvin Brown

   Writers:Eric Preven, Ari Posner
5. 

   8.4/10(77 votes)

   #5 - Joe Loves Mary Cherry

   S2:E510/20/2000

   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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   Director:Jamie Babbit

   Writers:Ryan Murphy, James Duff
6. 

   8.4/10(74 votes)

   #6 - Ur-ine Trouble

   S2:E711/10/2000

   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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   Director:Michael M. Robin

   Writers:Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz
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7. 

   8.4/10(88 votes)

   #7 - Promblems

   S2:E215/18/2001

   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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   Director:Jamie Babbit

   Writer:Ryan Murphy
8. 

   8.3/10(98 votes)

   #8 - Mo' Menace, Mo' Problems

   S1:E29/30/1999

   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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   Director:Michael M. Robin

   Writer:Ryan Murphy
9. 

   8.3/10(88 votes)

   #9 - Queen B.

   S1:E711/11/1999

   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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   Director:Matthew Harrison

   Writer:Ryan Murphy
10. 

    8.3/10(89 votes)

    #10 - Tonight's the Night

    S1:E811/18/1999

    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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    Director:Jamie Babbit

    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz
11. 

    8.3/10(90 votes)

    #11 - Hope in a Jar

    S1:E131/27/2000

    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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    Director:David Petrarca

    Writer:Wendy MacLeod
12. 

    8.3/10(94 votes)

    #12 - All About Adam

    S1:E162/17/2000

    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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    Directors:Michael M. Robin, Perry Lang

    Writer:Wendy MacLeod
13. 

    8.2/10(108 votes)

    #13 - Popular, Round One

    S1:E19/29/1999

    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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    Director:Brian Robbins

    Writer:Ryan Murphy
14. 

    8.2/10(96 votes)

    #14 - Slumber Party Massacre

    S1:E510/21/1999

    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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    Director:Michael M. Robin

    Writer:Wendy MacLeod
15. 

    8.2/10(88 votes)

    #15 - Truth or Consequences

    S1:E611/4/1999

    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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    Director:Marc Buckland

    Writers:Eric Preven, Ari Posner
16. 

    8.2/10(86 votes)

    #16 - Wild Wild Mess

    S1:E912/2/1999

    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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    Director:Lev L. Spiro

    Writer:Oliver Goldstick
17. 

    8.2/10(86 votes)

    #17 - The Trial of Emory Dick

    S1:E121/20/2000

    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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    Director:Perry Lang

    Writer:Oliver Goldstick
18. 

    8.2/10(91 votes)

    #18 - Booty Camp

    S1:E152/10/2000

    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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    Director:Michael M. Robin

    Writers:Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz
19. 

    8.2/10(104 votes)

    #19 - Ch-Ch-Changes

    S1:E184/20/2000

    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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    Director:Craig Zisk

    Writers:Eric Preven, Ari Posner
20. 

    8.2/10(86 votes)

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

    S1:E194/27/2000

    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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    Director:Jamie Babbit

    Writer:Ryan Murphy
21. 

    8.1/10(79 votes)

    #21 - The Consequences of Falling

    S2:E1012/15/2000

    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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    Director:Michael M. Robin

    Writer:Ryan Murphy
22. 

    8.0/10(95 votes)

    #22 - Under Siege

    S1:E310/7/1999

    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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    Director:Perry Lang

    Writer:Ryan Murphy
23. 

    8.0/10(88 votes)

    #23 - Windstruck

    S1:E410/14/1999

    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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    Director:Jamie Babbit

    Writer:Oliver Goldstick
24. 

    8.0/10(80 votes)

    #24 - What Makes Sammy Run

    S1:E215/11/2000

    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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    Director:Jamie Babbit

    Writers:Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz
25. 

    8.0/10(72 votes)

    #25 - Baby, Don't Do It!

    S2:E29/29/2000

    Bobbi Glass (with her new nickname, Claws) has a new experiment for the students: they have to take care of baby dolls as if they were real babies. Everybody gets one, except for Lily who shares the doll with Carm. Because they don't know the baby's gender, they name it Hillary Swank - neither a boy nor a girl. Brooke is too busy because she is moving to San Francisco with her mom, and doesn't have time to take care of the doll. Emory's twin sisters, Emma and Emily (Em&Em, a parody of the rap singer Eminem) come to K. High looking for lessons from Nic and MC for how to become popular. Too busy teaching the girls and organizing a party that will define popularity, they handle their babies to a British nanny, who eventually abuses them. Carm, concerned about the unpopular group, decides to help them, but neglects her baby. The twins become too powerful and turn against their teachers. Nic and Mary Cherry decide it's time to stop them and put things back on track. Meanwhile, Sam decides t

    Director:Michael M. Robin

    Writers:Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz

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    Director:Michael M. Robin

    Writers:Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz