Where Are They Now: The Cast of the WB’s Popular

Ryan Murphy lords over a mini TV empire these days–and in addition to running The New Normal, American Horror Story and Glee, he’s a brand-new dad. Awww. Whether he wants to play “singing quarterback” or “crazy-scary nun,” that kid’s gonna have one heck of a dress-up trunk.

But long before the new babe or the new shows existed, there lived a fancy frog and a network called the WB. And on that network was a Ryan Murphy show called Popular that I couldn’t get enough of. Popular eviscerated high school with typical Murphy sharpness–and everybody had a little Sue Sylvester in them. (Oh, and by the way, the school was called Jacqueline Kennedy High.)

To refresh you on the central concept: two girls from markedly different cliques (Sam and Brooke) are thrown together when their parents get hitched. It was a wonderful time filled with catty comments and butterfly hair clips, and it was over all too soon. So let’s see what the zinger-flingers are up to these days.

Carly Pope–Sam

Sam was the freethinking, witty, newspaper-editing unpopular gal in the central duo. Fashion-wise and comeback-wise, she was like a teenage Whitney Cummings. Fun fact: apparently, Ryan Murphy was planning to have her realize she was a lesbian in the show’s season three, but it was cancelled after two.

Later, Carly was on 24 and the shortlived NBC series Outlaw. And guess what? She’s in one of this year’s biggest releases, the futuristic Matt Damon vehicle Elysium.

Leslie Bibb–Brooke

I’m pretty sure the name “Brooke McQueen” says it all–this girl ruled the school with perfect turn-of-the-century blonde highlights.

Leslie recently starred in another gone-too-soon show: GCB. But if her movie momentum’s any indication–this year she’s got Movie 43 and 7500–we’ll be seeing plenty of Ms. Bibb.

Tamara Mello–Lily

Popular helped solidify Tamara’s typecasting as cute cool-girl (She’s All That, anyone?), though she was technically Team Unpopular in this series. This was less than believable, since her of-the-time hair flip was so perfect.

Well, this is awesome: Tamara now makes gorgeous knitted accessories and sells them on Etsy under the label Blackbird Design House. And yes, that’s real-life BFF Christina Hendricks posing for some of the product shots.

Christopher Gorham–Harrison

Ahhhh, long live the soulful, overlooked guyfriend that was Harrison. Harrison really handled a lot in two seasons–love triangles, cancer, and the insane affections of Mary Cherry. (We’ll get to her.)

Christopher aged quite nicely–and is available for viewing on USA’s Covert Affairs. Lucky Piper Perabo.

Sara Rue–Carmen

Carmen was definitely one of Ryan Murphy’s “issue” characters, and the issue was the nightmare that is confronting your weight as a teenager. But despite the touchy topic, she was always angsty-hilarious–this famous line of hers was delivered to a fluffy cupcake.

Today, Sara’s on Malibu Country with Reba McEntire–and her first child is due any day now.

Leslie Grossman–Mary Cherry

Mary Cherry was flat-out insane in the best, wildest, darkest way. She was rich, and rude, and loudmouthed, and she had a lost twin sister named Baby Honeychild, whom I consider Honey Boo Boo Child’s ancestor.

This year Leslie (who also starred in What I Like About You) has been popping up everywhere on TV–reunited with Ryan Murphy on The New Normal, guesting on Ben and Kate, doing an arc on Scandal. Let’s get this mad genius her own show, pronto.

Bryce Johnson–Josh

Josh was a BMOC who really got around in this crowd–I believe in addition to dating Brooke, he took up with Lily and Carmen at different points. But we got to see him do the football-player-gone-deep thing–I like to think Glee‘s Finn followed in his footsteps.

Bryce went onto a bunch of TV and movie work–but most recently/importantly, he was Darren in Pretty Little Liars. He’s still really good at not wearing shirts.

Ron Lester–Sugar Daddy

Sugar Daddy was a faux-gangster, real-teddy-bear, and the first of the gang (and most of the world) to venture into online love. (Ron also played Billy Bob in Varsity Blues).

Today, Ron–who’s dropped considerable weight–is a motivational speaker. Amazing.

Tammy Lynn Michaels–Nicole

Nicole was JK High’s resident terrifying mean girl. She always walked in the middle during mean-girl v-formation hall strolls. Always.

Source: lesbianlife.about.com via Leah on Pinterest

Tammy went on to star in The L Word–and have two kids with ex Melissa Etheridge. Unfortunately, they’re currently locked in a public custody spat. Poems are being posted on websites and such.

Who else loved Popular?

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