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Brilliant But Cancelled: Comedies and Dramedies That Were Axed Too Soon
From the quirky to the sitcom to the dramatic, we look back at the comedies that we loved, until they were pulled from the airwaves.
RECAPS, WEECAPS, AND MORE
Latest Episode |
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| Mondo Extra |
You're no Tammy Lynn Michaels!The Tammy Lynn Michaels Interview - Or so thought Gustave when a poster claiming to be Popular's Nicole showed up on the Popular forums. Well, it was her. And fortunately for us, she doesn't hold a grudge. In fact, she even let us interview her. So come see Tammy talk about her new rock-star girlfrend, and watch Gustave eat crow. This may be the last time you ever get to see him admit he was wrong! |
09.18.2013 | N/A |
Gustave |
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Ep. |
Title |
Air/Pub'l |
Grade |
Author |
| Mondo Extra |
Mary Cherry Will Rise AgainThe Second Leslie Grossman Interview - Leslie told me I could ask her anything. Her only stipulation was that I wouldnt let her swear. Last time I interviewed her, Leslies father found the interview while surfing the web and was shocked at the profanity. |
09.18.2013 06.30.2001 |
N/A |
Gustave |
|
2-21 Recap |
"Who's your daddy" isn't necessarily a rhetorical questionPromblems - The question of Mary Cherry's paternity is answered when her long-lost Latino twin shows up. RuPaul guest stars. Josh and Lily find out that love is not, in fact, enough. Harrison chooses Sam. Nicole runs Brooke down with a car. |
05.17.2001 05.25.2001 |
F |
Gustave |
|
2-20 Recap |
'Til cancellation do us partYou Don't Tug On Superman's Cape… - Josh and Lily get married. Bet you didn't see that coming, did you? Well neither did the writers...until a bunch of them went on a crystal-meth binge upon hearing they'd be out of job pretty soon. Mary Cherry, yet again the only redeeming feature of this episode, incurs the wrath of a seventh-year senior and finds out who her friends really are. |
05.10.2001 05.17.2001 |
F |
Gustave |
|
2-19 Recap |
Screaming Queens!I Know What You Did Last Spring Break! - Being peerless in its use of fantastic, obscure, and campy film references, you'd think Popular would avoid making a parody of the most picked-over genre in the history of film: the teen slasher flick. I mean, what's left to say now that the Scream trilogy pretty much deconstructed the genre to death and then Scary Movie deconstructed the Scream trilogy? Two words: Mary Cherry and a banana peel. |
05.03.2001 05.11.2001 |
C |
Gustave |
|
2-18 Recap |
Some Heads Are Bigger Than OthersThe Brain Game - Mary Cherry wins our hearts all over again as she forms an academic decathlon team at Kennedy just so she can be on TV. Josh and Lily almost break up over the intellectual disparity in their relationship. Carmen makes an big ass out of her newly Latina self. |
04.26.2001 05.03.2001 |
B- |
Gustave |
|
2-17 Recap |
Coup The Bitch is back! Long may she reign!Coup - Brooke is forbidden to date her new college boyfriend and Harrison, Lily and Josh have a dance-off. This gives everyone some much needed time to go make popcorn in between the scenes in which Nicole KICKS ASS. |
03.15.2001 03.22.2001 |
A |
Gustave |
|
2-16 Recap |
Black-eyed pea-brainsFag - There's no such thing as discrimination when Gustave looks for a substance that will dull the pain of having to recap this antediluvian episode, in which everyone suffers some form of social oppression. |
03.08.2001 03.15.2001 |
F |
Gustave |
|
2-15 Recap |
Frat chance!It's Greek To Me - The girls decide that they are sick of the immature boys in their lives, so they decide to sneak out and attend a frat party. Carmen is almost date-raped. Brooke almost gets her ass kicked by a truckload of anorexic sorority girls, and Lily and Sam have to stay home with Mike and Jane. Furthermore, Nicole wraps up her birth mother plotline. |
03.01.2001 03.08.2001 |
D+ |
Gustave |
|
2-14 Recap |
Tuna 69The News Of My Death Has Been Greatly Exaggerated - No Mike and Jane. No fat Carmen jokes. A shout-out. Lily being tolerable. In other words, an amazing episode. |
02.22.2001 03.01.2001 |
B |
Gustave |
|
2-13 Recap |
Sweet (and sour) charityMary Charity - Everyone's too proud to beg. Except the po' folk, who huddle in front of fires in garbage cans. Thank God Lily has their best interests at heart and comes around every so often to smile at all of them warmly. Speaking of charity, now that Harrison has had leukemia, Brooke wants to date him. |
02.01.2001 02.08.2001 |
C |
Gustave |
|
2-12 Recap |
Which one of you cross-dressing bitches is my mother?The Shocking Possession Of Harrison John - Will Popular's newfound triumph of camp over schmaltz gain much-needed ratings and critical success in time to prevent impending cancellation? Judging by its banishment from February sweeps, Gustave says, sadly, no. Nicole finds out she's adopted. Harrison, who has her bone marrow, starts acting like an uber bitch. |
01.25.2001 02.02.2001 |
B |
Gustave |
|
2-11 Recap |
Feelin' crabbyFire In The Hole - Chem makes the kids take part in her play about STDs just as Sam and George (remember him?) start thinking about doin' it. Mary Cherry takes her role as a case of crabs too seriously. Harrison decides that since he came thisclose to dying a virgin, he'll do anything to get some experience. |
01.18.2001 01.29.2001 |
C- |
Gustave |
|
2-10 Recap |
Harrison Hears A "Who Cares?"The Consequences Of Falling - It's Christmas, and Harrison finds out what life would have been like if he'd never been born. Sound familiar? Yawn. |
12.14.2000 12.22.2000 |
N/A |
Gustave |
|
2-9 Recap |
In heaven, there are skateboards for everyone!Are You There, God? It's Me, Ann-Margret - Harrison meets God and finds out she's got a great plastic surgeon. Carmen's mom hits her again. Sam's not a doctor, but she plays one on stage. Lily and Josh get naked. And only Nicole's deliciously bitchy appearance tonight has stopped me from throwing my TV out the window. |
12.07.2000 12.15.2000 |
C |
Gustave |
|
2-8 Recap |
Whole lotta Sugar DaddyMisery Loathes Company - On so many levels. And less Brooke. But more so. Oh yeah, and a toilet seat gets stuck to Carmen's butt, and Harrison doesn't like his roommate at Cancer Sleepaway Camp. |
11.16.2000 11.25.2000 |
C |
Gustave |
|
2-7 Recap |
Nothing's campier than cancer!Ur-ine Trouble (2) - In the strangest ploy for ratings yet, Popular actually assumes we care enough about the health of any of their characters to sit through a really heinous cancer story line. Carmen grabs the homecoming crown because she's just so GREAT. I'm sure I'll see it someday. Goodbye, Michelle Phillips. |
11.09.2000 11.16.2000 |
D+ |
Gustave |
|
2-6 Recap |
A glass of Robitussin and thouStyle And Substance Abuse (1) - Lily and Josh get it on over the counter and under the sheets. Sam, Carmen, Nicole, and Mary Cherry run for homecoming queen. Brooke, Harrison, and April Tuna run for student council president. Chem's high school nemesis shows up. |
11.02.2000 11.09.2000 |
N/A |
Gustave |
|
2-5 Recap |
He knows how to dance, and he's not gay...Joe Loves Mary Cherry - Sam and Brooke have a catfight over the new, dull quarterback. We finally find out why Mary Cherry calls Harrison "Joe." Nicole schemes and plots. Lily and Josh hook up. Jane and Mike live and breathe. |
10.19.2000 10.26.2000 |
D |
Gustave |
|
2-4 Recap |
The lamest tabooThe Sweetest Taboo - Everyone is supposed to be laughing at how big Mary Cherry's lip implants are, but in reality we are all laughing at Sam's hair, which just gets bigger and bigger throughout the episode. Josh's mom is back, so you can count on a lot of uncomfortable situations. |
10.12.2000 10.22.2000 |
D |
Gustave |
|
2-3 Recap |
Citizen ShameCitizen Shame - Carmen needs a place to stay. "My house is a war zone," she explains. Her parents are fighting. As she takes off her jacket, she's got a tank top on underneath, and there's a bruise on her arm that she hides just before Sam can turn around and see it -- in the unlikely event of Sam actually noticing something happening to someone else. |
10.05.2000 10.05.2000 |
D |
Gustave |
|
2-2 Recap |
Baby, Don't Do It!Baby, Don't Do It! - Brooke has to actually be concerned about where her "child" is. You know, before she actually moves away, because that's totally going to happen. |
09.28.2000 09.28.2000 |
C |
Gustave |
|
2-1 Recap |
Timber! (2)Timber! (2) - Josh is not buying the power of the "forever" tree due to his recent disillusionments, i.e. his parents divorcing and him growing apart from Brooke. I'm not buying "forever" either, due to the fact that Exquisite isn't in the credits and therefore is not a series regular. |
09.21.2000 09.21.2000 |
D+ |
Gustave |
| Mondo Extra |
Mary Cherry Speaks, Part ThreeThe Leslie Grossman Interview, Part III - "These scripts we're doing are so tight and so well written. There are going to be some dramatic developments too -- that don't involve me, of course. It's all really really good. I'm really proud of the stuff that we're doing." |
09.18.2013 09.16.2000 |
N/A |
Gustave |
| Mondo Extra |
Mary Cherry Speaks, Part TwoThe Leslie Grossman Interview, Part II - "That's another reason why I was such a big pig when I lived in New York. I lived across the street from the Second Avenue Deli and I would eat my way across the city. I can't express how fat I was." |
09.18.2013 09.15.2000 |
N/A |
Gustave |
| Mondo Extra |
Mary Cherry SpeaksThe Leslie Grossman Interview, Part I - How did I ever get to meet Leslie Grossman, the talented actress who plays Mary Cherry on Popular? I accomplished this the old-fashioned way. I stalked her manager. |
09.18.2013 09.14.2000 |
N/A |
Gustave |
|
1-22 Recap |
Two Weddings And A Funeral (1)Two Weddings And A Funeral (1) - Nicole is loving the fact that the school year is over, but adds that she doesn't like what happens to her favorite TV shows during May sweeps. |
05.17.2000 05.17.2000 |
N/A |
Gustave |
|
1-21 Recap |
What Makes Sammy RunWhat Makes Sammy Run - Hey, if the motif of tonight's episode is going to be Crime and Punishment, how come I didn't see any spoilers about anyone being chopped up with an ax? |
05.10.2000 05.10.2000 |
D |
Gustave |
|
1-20 Recap |
We Are FamilyWe Are Family - Brooke and Sam agree to join forces to stop the wedding between their parents. |
05.03.2000 05.03.2000 |
D |
Gustave |
|
1-19 Recap |
Hard On The Outside, Soft In The MiddleHard On The Outside, Soft In The Middle - If Lily's teen activism award is being given to her by a right-wing organization who chose her because she did more this year to make liberals ashamed of themselves, then she definitely deserved it. |
04.26.2000 04.26.2000 |
C |
Gustave |
|
1-18 Recap |
Ch-Ch-ChangesCh-Ch-Changes - Mr. D has a couple of announcements: 1) Design concepts for final projects are due on Friday, and 2) Mr. D. would appreciate it if everyone called him "Miss Debbie" from now on, because tomorrow he begins dressing like a woman to psychologically prepare himself for a male-to-female sex change operation. Reaction shots galore. |
04.19.2000 04.19.2000 |
C |
Gustave |
|
1-17 Recap |
Lord Of The FilesLord Of The Files - Carmen tells Brooke that shes fine with a barely noticeable smirk and then tells Josh that shes got tickets "for Saturday night." Josh is excited by her news and starts making out with her right then and there. Brooke turns around in her seat. Its hard to tell if her look of horror is due to the fact that shes lost Josh to Carmen or whether she, like millions of home viewers nationwide, is repulsed by the sight of the chemistry-free pairing that is Carmen and Josh. |
02.23.2000 02.23.2000 |
D |
Gustave |
|
1-16 Recap |
All About AdamAll About Adam - Brooke, when they SAY right off the bat that they're not stalkers, then they proceed to tell you your life story in ultra-flattering terms, you can bet your bottom dollar that they're stalkers with unrealistic expectations. I'm just saying. |
02.16.2000 02.16.2000 |
C |
Amorgan |
|
1-15 Recap |
Booty CampBooty Camp - Dear God, please grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Oh yeah, and please help me remember that this is just a TV show and no real high school would ever leave a couple of girls like Sam and Brooke in charge of a confidential peer hotline. Thank you Lord, Amen. |
02.09.2000 02.09.2000 |
C |
Gustave |
|
1-14 Recap |
Caged!Caged! - Hester didn't really have a shameful secret. You see, the whole town knew she was an adulteress because she had to stand around in public with a scarlet A on her chest for adulteress. But hey, that's not the point. The point is that all the girls have shameful secrets and that's the theme of tonight's episode. |
02.02.2000 02.02.2000 |
N/A |
Gustave |
|
1-13 Recap |
Hope In A JarHope In A Jar - Oh great, its another one of those who is going with who plot lines they always put on the teen shows even though everyone knows that real teens today go to dances in large groups and never ask each other on dates. |
01.26.2000 01.26.2000 |
C |
Gustave |
|
1-12 Recap |
The Trial Of Emory DickThe Trial Of Emory Dick - Emory is all pissed about it when he talks to Harrison in the hall. Harrison tells Emory that Bio picks a student every year to flunk. Okay, can I just ask where are these American public high schools where mean teachers flunk their students just because theyre mean? |
01.19.2000 01.19.2000 |
C |
Gustave |
|
1-11 Recap |
Ex, Lies And VideotapeEx, Lies And Videotape - Looks like Carmen is moving up in the world because, for once, she is not delivering her monologue to a serving of snack food. |
01.12.2000 01.12.2000 |
D |
Gustave |
| Mondo Extra |
Amorgan Interviews Christopher GorhamThe Christopher Gorham Interview - I was lucky enough to snag a few moments of Christopher Gorham's time (he plays my boyfriend, Harrison, on the show, in case you didn't know) for a brief interview. |
09.18.2013 12.26.1999 |
N/A |
Amorgan |
|
1-10 Recap |
Fall On Your KneesFall On Your Knees - Its one year ago, and Nicole is really nerdy. She's got a really preppy haircut and she's wearing glasses and a crew-neck sweater over a pair of Gap jeans. |
12.08.1999 12.08.1999 |
D |
Gustave |
|
1-10 Extra |
Amorgan Interviews Ryan MurphyThe Ryan Murphy Interview - That's right: it's amorgan's madcap conversation with Ryan Murphy, executive producer of Popular. |
12.03.1999 12.03.1999 |
A+ |
Amorgan |
|
1-9 Recap |
Wild Wild MessWild Wild Mess - Last episode, Brooke and Josh did It. Can you guess what this episode is gonna be about? Because its not about how Brookes worried that shes pregnant or has an STD or anything like that. No, really. Swear. |
12.01.1999 12.01.1999 |
N/A |
Amorgan |
|
1-8 Recap |
Tonight's The NightTonight's The Night - This episode deals with sensitive material, such as It, It, It, and, yes, It. If you are offended by It, freaked out by It, or just dont want to know about teenagers with eating disorders doing It, then back away. You have been warned. |
11.17.1999 11.17.1999 |
D |
Amorgan |
|
1-7 Recap |
Queen B.Queen B. - This episode opens with squabbling. Duh. |
11.10.1999 11.10.1999 |
C- |
Amorgan |
|
1-6 Recap |
Truth Or ConsequencesTruth Or Consequences - Jane is smearing makeup on her face with a cosmetic sponge. And speaking of cosmetic sponges, Sam pops into the frame not a minute later, just in time to ask Jane what she ended up doing on Friday night. |
11.03.1999 11.03.1999 |
C- |
Amorgan |
|
1-5 Recap |
Slumber Party MassacreSlumber Party Massacre - Carmen announces that this year, on her sixteenth birthday, she is going to get on the cheerleading squad. Shes going to invite all the Blondes into her home, and eat them. Or have them over for a slumber party. Whatever. |
10.20.1999 10.20.1999 |
C- |
Amorgan |
|
1-4 Recap |
WindstruckWindstruck - The fourth episode opens with a voice-over of a weather commentator, warning people against the craaaazy Santa Ana winds. They are, apparently, usually accompanied by confusion and unexpected hijinks, not to mention romance. Thank God for foreshadowing. |
10.13.1999 10.13.1999 |
D+ |
Amorgan |
|
1-3 Recap |
Under SiegeUnder Siege - When Sams mom asks her what the problem is with Brooke, the camera starts cutting back and forth between Sam and Brooke, each telling her respective parent how "heinous" the other is. Apparently, the problem is that both the girls are self-absorbed, manipulative prima donnas who have been allowed to run wild by their parents. |
10.06.1999 10.06.1999 |
D |
Amorgan |
|
1-2 Recap |
Mo' Menace, Mo' Problems (2)Mo' Menace, Mo' Problems (2) - Sam suffers from severe sinus congestion, and snits are had by all. |
09.29.1999 09.29.1999 |
C |
Amorgan |
|
1-1 Recap |
Welcome to PopularPopular, Round One (1) - Welcome to Episode One of Popular, in which Sam acts like an idiot, Brooke stands up for her values (not), Josh tries out for the school musical, Carmen tries out for the cheerleading squad, and everyone gets at least one chance to run off in a snit. |
09.28.1999 09.28.1999 |
N/A |
Amorgan |








