Popular (Thursdays at 8pm on WB), for those who have yet to discover this show, is a hilarious hour-long teen ‘dramedy’ (but with more comedy than drama). I can still remember the first time I saw it: I was flipping channels out of boredom one Saturday afternoon, and by a happy coincidence it was the same afternoon that the WB was running a special afternoon presentation of their new show. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t get hooked the first time – I was addicted in less than a minute.

Was it Nicole and Mary Cherry’s obsessive devotion to the altar of Gwyneth Paltrow? Sam’s teen angst? Brookie’s rocky relationship with the handsome Josh? Carmen’s need for acceptance? Little Lily’s bleeding heart? I still don’t know exactly, but at the end of the show when the promo announced that this wonderful show would be on every Thursday, I dragged out my day planner and started making some adjustments in my schedule.

It’s gotten bad. I have missed shows before, then regretted it so deeply that I swore not to do it again. And last week, I made plans to go out for sushi with friends. On a Thursday. But I didn’t sweat it, since I always videotape the show (even on the nights that I am home to watch, so I can watch episodes over and over again). Unfortunately, I am not familiar enough with complicated electronic devices to be able to set my VCR to tape automatically. So the plans were contingent upon me either being home by 8pm (not likely), or not leaving the house until 8pm. I managed to talk my friends into a late dinner, but found myself in the awkward position of having to explain why.