The Most Popular Girls in School
The Most Popular Girls in School (abbreviated MPGIS) is an American adult stop-motion animated comedy web series that debuted on YouTube on May 1, 2012. Created by Mark Cope and Carlo Moss, the series animates Barbie, Ken and other fashion dolls, usually with customized costumes and hairstyles, as various characters. "MPGIS" follows the exploits of a fictional high school cheer leading team in Overland Park, Kansas and their friends, family and enemies. "Variety" described the series as ""Mean Girls" meets "South Park"". The first episode has been viewed over ten million times, and  many episodes have received views in the millions. In April 2013, "MPGIS" parodied the viral email rant of Delta Gamma sorority member Rebecca Martinson by having the character Brittnay Matthews (voiced by Lily Vonnegut) reenact the so-called "Deranged Sorority Girl Email". The "MPGIS" video went viral itself. On May 1, 2018, Extra Credit Studios announced a sixth season to be in development, as well as a Patreon to crowdfund "MPGIS" in addition to new spin-off shows "The Most Popular Girls in Quarantine", "Keeping Up With The Van Burens", and "Models". Storyline. Domineering Head Cheerleader Mackenzie Zales and her  absent-minded fellow cheerleader Trisha Cappelletti confront new Overland Park High School student Deandra when she attempts to use their restricted restroom. They broker an alliance just as Shay van Buren—the most popular girl in school outside of the cheer squad—and her sisters drag the cheerleaders into a bitter feud, hoping to finally crush Mackenzie's cheerleading reign. Outside this drama, cheerleader Brittnay Matthews breaks up with her dimwitted second-string quarterback boyfriend Blaine, who immediately begins dating her nemesis, the annoyingly French exchange student Saison Marguerite. Brittnay is further infuriated by the Cheer Squad/Van Buren feud  and the acceptance of new girl Deandra into the confidence of the squad. Meanwhile, lonely lurker Jonathan Getslinhaumer tries to get the attention of the football team with his strange slang and empty threats, which mostly leaves them repulsed by his subconscious sexual innuendos. Finally, the unpopular and unattractive Rachel Tice, a childhood friend of Brittnay and Mackenzie who has since fallen out of favor, plots with her friend Judith to try to improve their social status. Rachel's moody sister Bridget occasionally makes an appearance to offer disdainful ridicule, and Lunch Lady Belinda cannot quite hide her crush  on the dazzling Overland Park alumna Cameron Van Buren. Later plot lines include the rivalry with cheerleaders from Atchison High School, a sabotaged prom and a carefully planned revenge plot against Mackenzie. The first four seasons take place in the girls' junior year at Overland Park High School while the fifth season takes place during the summer between their junior and senior years of high school, with France being the primary location. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, "The Most Popular Girls in Quarantine" is taking place over video calls while Overland Park is closed and Mackenzie attempts to get the  school re-opened. Production and broadcast. "The Most Popular Girls in School" animates Barbie, Ken and related Mattel fashion dolls, generic fashion dolls and various branded dolls, usually with customized costumes and hairstyles, as various characters. Other dolls used include Disney's, Ariel, Belle, Merida and Mother Gothel, Finnick Odair from "The Hunger Games", Tyr Anasazi from "Andromeda", and Oscar and Evanora from "Oz the Great and Powerful". Guest voice talent has included Grace Helbig, Jason Earles, Lee Newton, Tyler Oakley, Michelle Visage, Kingsley, EpicLLOYD, Hannah Hart, and Mamrie Hart. A March 2013 Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign funded season 2 of  the series, a November 2013 Indiegogo campaign funded season 3, and a November 2014 Indiegogo campaign funded season 4. "MPGIS" premiered on YouTube on May 1, 2012. The fourth season concluded on May 31, 2015, and a fifth season was not announced until April 4, 2017. A sixth season was announced at the end of the fifth-season finale episode on August 29, 2017. , the series' YouTube channel has over 1 million subscribers and over 170 million views. "MPGIS" has also produced spin-off shows "The Trisha Show" and "Judy and Red", as well as bonus material like "Making of  and Behind the Scenes" videos, viewer mail Q&A and "Extra Credit" (outtakes). On May 1, 2018, Extra Credit Studios opened a Patreon to crowdfund "MPGIS" in addition to new spin-off shows "Keeping Up With The Van Burens" and "Models". Reception. "Variety" described the series as ""Mean Girls" meets "South Park" in this trash-talking, boundary-busting high-school-set Web series, acted out by stop-motion Barbie dolls." The first episode has been viewed over 10 million times, and most episodes have received views in the millions. In April 2013, "MPGIS" parodied the viral email rant of Delta Gamma  sorority member Rebecca Martinson by having the character Brittnay Matthews (voiced by Lily Vonnegut) reenact Martinson's so-called "Deranged Sorority Girl Email". The "MPGIS" video went viral itself. In January 2015, "Variety" reported that Charlize Theron's production company Denver and Delilah was developing a stop-motion animation series based on "MPGIS" with comic book writer Greg Rucka. In August 2015, "MPGIS" was nominated for a Streamy Award for Costume Design.