Degrassi 1227476 226186836 2008-07-17T06:15:27Z InNotOf395 1505991 /* The Next Generation */ {{Dablink|This article is about the Degrassi fictional universe. For other meanings, see [[Degrassi (disambiguation)]]}} The '''''Degrassi'' series''' is a [[Canada|Canadian]] [[drama]] that follows the lives of a group of teenagers who lived on or near [[De Grassi Street]] in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]]. The three main series were ''[[The Kids of Degrassi Street]]'', ''[[Degrassi Junior High]]'' and ''[[Degrassi High]]''. The early ''Degrassi'' series were produced by the small production company [[Playing With Time Inc.]] The current version of Degrassi, ''[[Degrassi: The Next Generation]]'', airs on [[CTV Television Network|CTV]] ([[Original version]]) and on [[VRAK.TV]] ([[French language]] dubbed) in [[Canada]] and is rebroadcast on [[The N]] (and in syndication) in the [[United States]]. ==''The Kids of Degrassi Street''== [[Linda Schuyler]], a former teacher, and [[Kit Hood]], a video editor and former child actor, first established the Playing With Time company in 1976. The first few productions were fun, educational videos for children and adolescents in junior high school. After their adaptation of the children's book [[Ida Makes a Movie]] by Kay Chorao, the idea for the mini-series ''[[The Kids of Degrassi Street]]'' was born. ==''Junior High'' and ''High''== {{Main|Degrassi Junior High|Degrassi High}} ''Degrassi Junior High'' first aired in 1987 on [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] in Canada and [[PBS/WGBH Boston]] in the United States. It delivered 26 episodes in the first two seasons (1987, 1988) and sixteen in the third season (1989), developing a cult following for its realistic and gritty portrayal of teenage life, without resorting to melodrama. It should be noted that these seasons typically began in the winter of their respective years. There is some speculation whether the producers intentionally tried to conceal the series' Canadian identity in the earlier episodes. For example, in one episode, a Canadian $20 bill is replaced with an American one in the version that was aired in the United States. USA Today news paper machines are seen on the street in the first season which is not normal for Canada and the character of Lucy throws out a Village Voice paper she is reading in the second episode of the Junior High series. Eventually, the show's Canadian identity became obvious by the second season with such images as Canadian maps and Ontario license plates being made visible. After the cast of Degrassi Junior High grew a few years older, their stories continued in the spin-off series, ''[[Degrassi High]]'', where the cast was once again expanded and a larger building was used to portray the high school. ''Degrassi High'' aired on CBC and PBS / WGBH Boston for two years until early 1991. These series are often compared to ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]'', a much more melodramatic series, which began airing in the United States at the same time, except 90210 used actors who were in their twenties to play teenagers, where as Degrassi uses people who are the age they are playing. This series is also compared to ''[[Saved by the Bell]]''. Like ''Saved by the Bell'', this series follows teenagers going through everyday normal teen social issues. But unlike ''Saved by the Bell'', problems are not solved within the episode; some plotlines often continue through multiple episodes. A few months later, the 90-minute Degrassi made-for-TV film ''[[School's Out (film)|School's Out]]'' was produced, which concluded the series. It sparked controversy and anger amongst fans and critics for the unusual characterization of familiar characters and infamous scenes of sexuality and coarse language. U.S. viewers saw a toned-down version when it aired in 1993, which did not feature the infamous "[[fuck|F-bombs]]" Canadian viewers got to see (WGBH released the uncensored version of the film onto video). A six-part documentary series entitled ''[[Degrassi Talks]]'' was aired soon after to moderate success. Hood and Schuyler subsequently worked on a similar series, ''[[Liberty Street]]'', which applied the Degrassi format to a series about twentysomethings living on their own for the first time. [[Pat Mastroianni]], one of the most famous actors from the Degrassi series, appeared in ''Liberty Street'' as well, although playing a different character. ==''The Next Generation''== {{Main|Degrassi: The Next Generation}} Almost a decade later, the Degrassi series was [[revival (television)|revived]] by Schuyler and [[Stephen Stohn]] as ''[[Degrassi: The Next Generation]]''. During the series ''"Degrassi Junior High"'' [[Christine "Spike" Nelson]] gave birth to a baby girl named [[Emma Nelson|Emma]] making her the [[center]] for the whole show. This Degrassi series deals with similar issues as its [[predecessor]], yet in a more contemporary setting. It has been extremely successful thus far and has grown its own distinct cult following amongst teenagers and adults alike. This series is broadcast on [[CTV television network|CTV]] in Canada and rebroadcast to the [[United States]] on the cable channel [[The N]], to [[Brazil]] on the cable channel [[Multishow]], to [[Australia]] on the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] and [[Nickelodeon Australia|Nickelodeon]], to [[Mexico]], [[Peru]] and [[Chile]] on the cable channel [[MTV]] Latin America, and to [[Poland]] on the [[Canal+ Poland|Canal+]]'s channel [[ZigZap (television station)|ZigZap]]. This newer, hipper version of ''Degrassi'' has thus far dealt with more mature topics, such as [[homosexuality]], [[rape]], [[abortion]], various sex-related subjects, STD's, [[self-harm]], [[eating disorders]], [[drugs]], [[school shooting]]s and [[Interpersonal relationship|relationships]], and most recently, [[murder]]. Some say the huge range of issues covered in The Next Generation may make for more interesting television. Although US rights are exclusively owned by [[The N]], there could be a market for this show on [[broadcast syndication]] as it would meet the criteria for [[E/I]] programming. On September 25, 2006 [[Program Partners]], an American company whose Canadian-produced programs are distributed through [[Sony Pictures Television]], announced that they have acquired the syndication rights to the show, which will start showing daily on local stations in the US during the early evening fringe hours (between 5 and 7 pm) beginning in September 2007.<ref name="broadcasting">{{cite web | url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6374579.html?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP&nid=2228| title=Broadcasting & Cable Breaking News articleFlat CA6374579 | accessdate=2006-10-07}}</ref> The requirement of using the [[E/I]] bug throughout the entire show, along with limits on the amount of [[commercials|commercial advertising]] may be factors against broadcast stations using [[Degrassi]] to fulfill [[E/I]] requirements. In 2006 and 2007, Degrassi: The Next Generation aired on several local channels throughout the United States at varying times. ==References== <references /> ==External links== * [http://www.degrassi.tv Degrassi.tv] * [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/show/CTVShows/20030911/Degrassi-default/20051021# CTV- Degrassi: The Next Generation] * [http://www.abc.net.au/degrassi/ Australian Broadcasting Corporation- Degrassi: The Next Generation] {{Degrassi}} [[Category:Children's television series in Canada]] [[Category:Degrassi|*]] [[Category:Teen dramas]] [[Category:Canadian television soap operas]] [[es:Degrassi]] [[he:דגראסי]] [[pl:Degrassi]] [[pt:Degrassi]]