Viewers will relate to ‘Popular’> New WB show succeeds by taking characters past stereotypes

The biggest trend this fall has been teen-age angst, as networks target those who actually manipulate the purse strings in most families. One of the two strong entries in this category so far makes its debut tonight.

Like NBC’s stellar “Freaks and Geeks,” WB’s “Popular,” which premieres at 9 before moving to its regular 8 p.m. time slot tomorrow, examines that most precious of high-school commodities — popularity. And regardless of which clique a viewer may have belonged to in high school, this show feels his or her pain.

The framing device used in “Popular” is that student journalist Sam McPherson (Carly Pope), who is in the outsiders group, is doing a study on what popularity is for the Kennedy High School newspaper, soliciting opinions from students. The upshot is that students, both popular and not, can’t be pigeonholed into neat stereotypes.

Beautiful cheerleader Brooke McQueen (Leslie Bibb) has a conscience, unlike her best friend Nicole (Tammy Lynn Michaels), but not the will to use it. Brooke’s boyfriend Josh (Bryce Johnson) is the football team’s quarterback, but he tries out and wins the lead in the school musical, a move sure to cause his social standing to slip. Carmen Ferrara (Sara Rue) has been training all her life to become a cheerleader, but gets cut because of her large size. Massive jock Sugar Daddy (Ron Lester) is the school’s rapper, but feels his popularity is because of his friendship with Josh.

“Popular” succeeds because it takes the characters past the stereotypes of most teen shows. These aren’t the pop-culturally savvy smartasses of “Dawson’s Creek.” Viewers can identify with the characters because they either were or knew someone just like them. That could make this fresh drama popular among watchers.

Also tonight, “Work With Me” premieres at 8:30 on CBS. Two likable comic players, Nancy Travis (“Almost Perfect”) and stand-up comedian Kevin Pollak, star in what turns out to be a rather pedestrian, hackneyed sitcom.

Pollak plays Jordan Better, who quits in disgust from his prestigious Wall Street law firm after being passed over for partner. His brainstorm is to become the partner in the small storefront practice of his wife, Julie (Travis). But surprise, surprise, his type A personality clashes with her unorthodox, laid-back style. Oh, boy, another opposites-attract romantic comedy. You can’t have enough of those.

Any time Travis is the more sedate of a pairing, it’s safe to bet there’s some scenery chewing being done by the other half, in this case the usually more restrained Pollak. The supporting casts offers little to lift the ensemble above the predictable script. As a result, viewers may soon toss “Work With Me” out of court.