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The Worst Episodes of Popular

Every episode of Popular ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Popular!

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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 Worst Episode
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    Popular Season 1 Episode 1 - Popular, Round One
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #1 - 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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  2. Popular Season 1 Episode 2 - Mo' Menace, Mo' Problems
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #2 - 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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  3. Popular Season 1 Episode 3 - Under Siege
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. Popular Season 1 Episode 4 - Windstruck
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. Popular Season 1 Episode 5 - Slumber Party Massacre
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. Popular Season 1 Episode 6 - Truth or Consequences
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #6 - 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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  7. Popular Season 1 Episode 7 - Queen B.
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. Popular Season 1 Episode 8 - Tonight's the Night
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #8 - 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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  9. Popular Season 1 Episode 9 - Wild Wild Mess
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #9 - 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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  10. Popular Season 1 Episode 10 - Fall on Your Knees
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #10 - 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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  11. Popular Season 1 Episode 11 - Ex, Lies and Videotape
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #11 - 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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  12. Popular Season 1 Episode 12 - The Trial of Emory Dick
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #12 - 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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  13. Popular Season 1 Episode 13 - Hope in a Jar
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #13 - 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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  14. Popular Season 1 Episode 14 - Caged!
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #14 - 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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  15. Popular Season 1 Episode 15 - Booty Camp
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #15 - 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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  16. Popular Season 1 Episode 16 - All About Adam
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #16 - 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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  17. Popular Season 1 Episode 17 - Lord of the Files
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #17 - Lord of the Files

    S1:E17

    A new vice-principal joins Kennedy High and his good looks draw the attention of the female students. Meanwhile, Brooke lies to Carmen about a tattoo she claims was inspired by Josh, so Carmen suspects that Brooke may want her old beau back; and Emory tells Harrison that a grade-school music teacher was once impressed with Harrison's music skills.

    Director:Lev L. Spiro
    Writer:Oliver Goldstick

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  18. Popular Season 1 Episode 18 - Ch-Ch-Changes
    0.0/10(0 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 1 Episode 19 - Hard on the Outside, Soft in the Middle
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #19 - 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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  20. Popular Season 1 Episode 20 - We Are Family
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #20 - We Are Family

    S1:E20

    Brooke and Sam try to derail their parents' wedding plans by planting false evidence of Mike's infidelity, which leads to a startling announcement from Mike and Jane. Meanwhile, Mary Cherry discovers that her mother is engaged to actor Erik Estrada.

    Director:Elodie Keene
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Deidre Strohm

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  21. Popular Season 1 Episode 21 - What Makes Sammy Run
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #21 - 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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  22. Popular Season 1 Episode 22 - Two Weddings and a Funeral
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #22 - Two Weddings and a Funeral

    S1:E22

    Bobbi Glass ruins the annual "skip day" ritual for the popular and alternative kids by faxing their photos to their favorite hangouts so they'll be caught cutting classes. The kids plot their revenge during an extended musical number. Meanwhile, Sam and Brooke agree to work together to make their parents' rehearsal dinner a success.

    Director:Lev L. Spiro
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  23. Popular Season 2 Episode 2 - Baby, Don't Do It!
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #23 - Baby, Don't Do It!

    S2:E2

    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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  24. Popular Season 2 Episode 3 - Citizen Shame
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #24 - Citizen Shame

    S2:E3

    Bobbi Glass's uncle Tipton is coming to town, and she has to find a solution for her lies. All these years she has been telling him about her child, which she doesn't have. He is rich and she wants his money. So she bribes Nicole to pretend to be her daughter. Carmen runs away from home because she is having family problems. Her father left and she has bruises on her arm. She stays with Sam and Jane for a while, but then Jane talks her into calling her mom. She doesn't want Carmen to come back anymore, and Carmen is thinking about getting her own place. Trying to help Carm with money, Lily shows up at the family lunch and poses as Bobbi's second daughter. Bobbi's plans are ruined and nobody gets the money. Meanwhile, Bonnie, the new SAT teacher, becomes friendly with Brooke and they have lunch together. She gets drunk and Brooke tries to drive her home, but she takes the wrong car by accident and gets in major trouble. Jane and Sam have to take her out of prison. And then Jane realizes

    Director:Lev L. Spiro
    Writer:Oliver Goldstick

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  25. Popular Season 2 Episode 4 - The Sweetest Taboo
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #25 - The Sweetest Taboo

    S2:E4

    Nicole, desperate to get back to the Glamazons, tries to bribe and blackmail Principal Krupps. Her attempts fail and she gets Mary Cherry and Sugar Daddy to help her make a fake video about him. As a result, she gets terminated from the cheerleaders forever. A new kid joins Kennedy High and gets a spot on the football team. Josh, jealous of him, tries to put everybody else against him. He gets his mom a job at school and she starts to date the football coach, and Josh's life falls apart. Sam misjudges George but realizes that friendship is more worth than an article. Josh finds Nicole crying, a proof that she still has a human side. They console each other.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writers:Eric Preven, Ari Posner

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Popular, Round One" is the worst rated episode of "Popular". It scored /10 based on 0 votes. Directed by Brian Robbins and written by Ryan Murphy, it aired on 9/29/1999. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Mo' Menace, Mo' Problems".