I always wished that Degrassi Junior High admitted that they were set in Canada. They always seem to omit the city location. I remember spending my weekends watching Degrassi Junior High on our PBS stations with my friends. We were about the same age as the cast. Let's not forget those awful clothes that the cast of characters wore. The show never ignored away from serious subjects such as teenage pregnancy, homosexuality, poverty, drugs, abortion, alcoholism, etc. It was the kind of show that teens should be shown to show that they are not alone in the world nor are they alone in getting trouble. I have to say that the first season with Arthur and Stephanie was worth watching. I remember the identical twin girls, Spike's pregnancy, Snake's brother who comes out of the closet and gets disowned, etc. The teens were never treated like superstars. They dealt with big topics in ways that I wished adults would deal with. The show was a big hit.
46 Reviews
I thank The-N for bringing it back.
Tenchi6458921 October 2006
For years, I never thought that any channel would bring this show back.
The Next Generation is entertaining, but I've always wondered if they'd show this version at some point... I got the answer later last year.
In comparison to the current Degrassi, this seems a bit tamer. All the same, it still has the drama that everyone enjoys. (By the way, "It Creeps" is my favorite episode.)
I just have to say one other thing: watch this series, and then watch Next Generation and compare and contrast the original cast members... man they look different!
This series is up to par with it's current counterpart.
8/10
The Next Generation is entertaining, but I've always wondered if they'd show this version at some point... I got the answer later last year.
In comparison to the current Degrassi, this seems a bit tamer. All the same, it still has the drama that everyone enjoys. (By the way, "It Creeps" is my favorite episode.)
I just have to say one other thing: watch this series, and then watch Next Generation and compare and contrast the original cast members... man they look different!
This series is up to par with it's current counterpart.
8/10
Retro Nostalgia
Falconeer9 July 2019
If you went to high school during the 80's then you will undoubtedly feel a strong sense of nostalgia when you see the clothes and hairstyles, and hear the general attitudes of the kids in this classic tv drama. Three seasons take place in Junior high school, grades 7-9, and it continues for two additional seasons in high school, with much of the same cast. In this way it feels like we are actually watching these kids grow up, as they really are, on camera. Growing up watching this show on PBS I almost feel like i literally went to school with these people. I was sad to discover that Stephanie Kaye disappeared for season 3, because she went to private school after her parents won the lottery. She was my favorite character. She would come to school dressed like an innocent little girl, then she would transform herself into an 80's MTV Princess in the school bathroom. Her outfits were so over the top that she looked like a hooker! She believed, like so many teens, that looks were the only thing that mattered. She learned later on, that this isn't always the case. And Joey Jeremiah LOVED her, probably because he was as shallow and as narcissistic as her, with his rock and roll clothes and pimp hats. I think the most interesting, and most well written character though, was Kathleen. She was the ultimate waspy, stuck up blonde bitch, that looked down her nose at EVERYBODY. For three years she tried to persuade the faculty to administer a school "dress code," And during the "Animal rights" episode, she was the only one to show no pity for animals being used for painful experiments by makeup companies. Kathleen would have made a fine "Hitler youth." Her mother was also a raging alcoholic. Another great character was Luke, the boy who was being physically abused by his dad. His was a sad but likable character. And the tall, glamorous Lucy, with her absentee parents who showed their love by giving their daughter the freedom of an adult, was a personal favorite too. The shoplifting episode is one of the best. And I liked how they dealt with Shane's being an unwilling father of Spike's baby. He didn't exactly step up and do the right thing, but he didn't turn his back on his responsibility either; he did what any kid his age could have done; very believable. It annoys me to hear people criticize the acting abilities of the young cast. The whole point was that they WEREN'T actors, but rather real kids. A quality that some find amateurish, I personally find lends a level of realism to the show. Anyway, it is rare to find a tv production where the characters are so vivid that you feel like you know them. Thankfully the entire series is available on dvd, so fans can revisit this amazingly sweet and unique show.
"Everyone wants something, they'll never give up..."
dandrat26 July 2019
This was the best then drama ever. They took real life issues and portrayed them in a very good way. I haven't watched Degrassi: TNG yet, because I never had cable and waiting for my library to get them. I heard some of the old cast is in it and can not wait to watch all the seasons. I had a crush on Stacie Mistysin. I highly recommend it. I'll "never give up..."
Zit Remedy was the bomb. If you watch any teen drama, this is the best ever.
Zit Remedy was the bomb. If you watch any teen drama, this is the best ever.
I grew up year to year with this show
knifeintheeye7 October 2005
OK, lets get this out of the way. I'm 30 years old at the time of this review. I was in grade 6 when Degrassi junior high started. I remembered Degrassi Street from Sunday morning, and hated it--I was not about to like this show. Little by little throughout the year, I was hooked. By the time I graduated high school I had spent 6 years with this kids. Second item. The acting was terrible! Even as a kid, I knew it, but that was part of the success of the show. These were regular thirteen year old drama student acting as thirteen year old kids dealing with issues. Some of the actors went on to act in other shows, movies etc..., some did not. Others posts have mentioned that this may be the best show ever to come out of Canada, and that may be true...sadly. This is not M*A*S*H though. This is not high drama. This was a show that captured the moment precisely. It caught the correct vibe of the time. I don't know if it has aged well since it first aired and I don't care. This show, even if you couldn't directly relate to a single character, was bang on, on what was going on at school at the time. I may not have had Wheels, Snakes or Joeys problems, but they were my classmates. I watched them year after year, for years. No class trips to Australia, no Rolls Royces, no mansions, no rich daddies. Just real issues, year after year. Thank you, for those years. Long live Zit Remedy.
Love this throwback!
francoischristana22 August 2021
Watching Degrassi: TNG and finding out that there were previous series showing the parents youth I had to watch it. This show discussed real life situations that teens can relate to such as Spike pregnancy, Snake brother being gay, Rick dad abusing him, Shane taking LSD, Michelle not allowed to date BLT because he is black, and Wheels parents dying .. I love the 80s fashion, very unique. If you are a Degrassi fan you have to watch this, you will get a background story of the adults.
Should be mandatory to watch this in public schools
AsifZamir19 November 2013
My super amazing grade 6 teacher used to make the class watch Degrassi and I think other teachers should as well. Degrassi is a Canadian drama series of television shows that umbrellas four main Degrassi shows: The Kids of Degrassi Street (Fantastic 10/10), Degrassi Junior High (Perfect 10/10), Degrassi High (Amazing 10/10) as well as Degrassi: The Next Generation (I give this zero out of 10). These shows portray issues dealt with the age groups in the specific show at the time. The sequels are about a group of kids who live on and around Degrassi Street and issues they deal with in their early and teenage years.
Linda Schuyler created The Kids of Degrassi Street. It's origins came from Cookie Goes to the Hospital, Irene Moves In, Noel Buys a Suit and Ida Makes a Movie. These shows were on CBC for after-school specials from 1979 – 1982. Issues dealt with on The Kids of Degrassi Street were issues such as divorce and death. Cast includes Stacie Mistysyn, Neil Hope and Anais Granofsky, who later on went to both Degrassi Junior High as well as Degrassi High.
Degrassi Junior High (1987-1989) and Degrassi High (1989/1991) theme social everyday teenage issues, but the issues are not solved in a single episode, they stretch out over more than one episode. My teacher made us watch this show in class because each episode would teach you about life and how to deal with it (and not deal with it). This show deals with serious issues.
Up to this point the sequels had been produced and directed by Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler, however the current series Degassi: The Next Generation, aired in 2001 and is still in operation, is produced by Epitome Pictures and is on MuchMusic as well as VRAK.TV in French, and TeenNick. The 8th season was broadcast in the UK. Degrassi: The Next Generation addresses hard issues such as drug abuse, rape, drinking and even murder. I'll be honest, I don't like The Next Generation very much, I prefer the classics.
Linda Schuyler created The Kids of Degrassi Street. It's origins came from Cookie Goes to the Hospital, Irene Moves In, Noel Buys a Suit and Ida Makes a Movie. These shows were on CBC for after-school specials from 1979 – 1982. Issues dealt with on The Kids of Degrassi Street were issues such as divorce and death. Cast includes Stacie Mistysyn, Neil Hope and Anais Granofsky, who later on went to both Degrassi Junior High as well as Degrassi High.
Degrassi Junior High (1987-1989) and Degrassi High (1989/1991) theme social everyday teenage issues, but the issues are not solved in a single episode, they stretch out over more than one episode. My teacher made us watch this show in class because each episode would teach you about life and how to deal with it (and not deal with it). This show deals with serious issues.
Up to this point the sequels had been produced and directed by Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler, however the current series Degassi: The Next Generation, aired in 2001 and is still in operation, is produced by Epitome Pictures and is on MuchMusic as well as VRAK.TV in French, and TeenNick. The 8th season was broadcast in the UK. Degrassi: The Next Generation addresses hard issues such as drug abuse, rape, drinking and even murder. I'll be honest, I don't like The Next Generation very much, I prefer the classics.
Love this series
animequeen-181114 April 2022
Favourite
bevo-136782 April 2020
Take me back to late 80s early 90s
cranberriesgirl13 January 2020
I feel every teen needs to watch every single episode. They will love it even though its a different time, difference in style and no cell phones etc. Its still so real to life and was really great acting compared to any other teens series there's ever been. Take me back!
A Canadian and international treasure!
landry_john4 December 2013
The year was 1987 and I only had 2 channels if you didn't count CBC's French channel;the first episode I recall watching was when the Grade 7 students Kathleen,Caitlin,and Rick were all doing a science project.Even though I knew then i wasn't expecting any sort of Hollywood-like production,I slowly got interested in the series after watching that and it even became part of my appointment television on Monday evenings.There wasn't your stereotypical teenage issue they didn't tackle;even a few others on top of that too.Far more easier to relate to than many of its American counterparts.I never honestly thought of the show at the time as groundbreaking or anything of the like,but realized eventually that it truly was as it shied away from nothing at all.For example,this was the 80's and homosexuality wasn't socially acceptable compared to how it is today,there was that episode where Snake's brother came out of the closet to his brother and eventually to his parents who basically disowned him(Coming out of the closet wasn't an everyday occurrence in 1988,after all).Snake and his friends automatically assumed that he was a ladies man since he was an all-star athlete in high school and all,and that episode more or less taught a lesson that you can't always judge based on appearance and perception.
This is only my first episode of this show...
rs-557 April 2022
Hmm, I guess I am not quite as enamored of this show as other reviewers are. Maybe the stories are a bit better than I'm detecting, and hey it takes place barely a dozen years after my own high school days, but one thing about this show creeps me out and I can't get past it.
It's that 'Stephanie Kaye' (played by Nicole Stoffman). She might be a fairly OK actress but WHY did they cast a 15 year old girl (who is supposed to be hot stuff apparently) who has a tooth obviously missing from her upper right side of her mouth? It seems like they purposely photo her from this side over, and over, and over... a 15 year old ought to be past all their baby teeth so for whatever reason that big missing tooth gap is there, they should have addressed that before shooting. I cringe every time they show her face from the right side. There it is, this big hole where a young person with healthy teeth SHOULD have a tooth!
This is the most blatant screw-up I've seen in filming something since the movie from the early 60's where Debbie Reynolds takes in a bunch of homeless kids who have been living in a garden shed... and the oldest boy is wearing a flashy gold ring through most of the film despite being homeless and poor. Can't believe the director didn't say 'CUT' and tell him 'take off the ring, kid'.
Whoever filmed this should have put the whole thing on timeout while they fixed that girl's missing tooth. Geez.
It's that 'Stephanie Kaye' (played by Nicole Stoffman). She might be a fairly OK actress but WHY did they cast a 15 year old girl (who is supposed to be hot stuff apparently) who has a tooth obviously missing from her upper right side of her mouth? It seems like they purposely photo her from this side over, and over, and over... a 15 year old ought to be past all their baby teeth so for whatever reason that big missing tooth gap is there, they should have addressed that before shooting. I cringe every time they show her face from the right side. There it is, this big hole where a young person with healthy teeth SHOULD have a tooth!
This is the most blatant screw-up I've seen in filming something since the movie from the early 60's where Debbie Reynolds takes in a bunch of homeless kids who have been living in a garden shed... and the oldest boy is wearing a flashy gold ring through most of the film despite being homeless and poor. Can't believe the director didn't say 'CUT' and tell him 'take off the ring, kid'.
Whoever filmed this should have put the whole thing on timeout while they fixed that girl's missing tooth. Geez.
Degrassi rulz
Realrockerhalloween21 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
The 80s smash hit that rivaled save by the bell in popularity and care to cover any subject considered taboo.
Returning was Neil Hope (Wheels) Stacy mistysyn (Katelyin Ryan) and Anais Granofsky (Lucy) who know had new friends, identities and names to avoid continually errors or to develop interesting story lines for them.
The story lines followed the kids from school to home and out side areas as they explored the world around them with the innocence of youth and drama following in the vain of after school specials.
It could become very dark sometimes from Joey witnessing a friend being abused to Wheels accepting a ride and nearly being assaulted. Showing that life isn't always peaches and cream.
What I enjoyed about the new series is characters who you care about, relate to and want to see over come the odds.
The different location shots and parents interactions helped keep the show grounded in reality and even added to the plot when needed.
The music sounds a little cheesy, this is the 80s, but for the time period it works wonderfully and feels like a time capsule to the past.
In some ways it beats the new generation that tries to stay cool and hip while the classic did its own thing. I enjoy each installment for the variety you her and the issues covered.
Degrassi can't be beat.
Returning was Neil Hope (Wheels) Stacy mistysyn (Katelyin Ryan) and Anais Granofsky (Lucy) who know had new friends, identities and names to avoid continually errors or to develop interesting story lines for them.
The story lines followed the kids from school to home and out side areas as they explored the world around them with the innocence of youth and drama following in the vain of after school specials.
It could become very dark sometimes from Joey witnessing a friend being abused to Wheels accepting a ride and nearly being assaulted. Showing that life isn't always peaches and cream.
What I enjoyed about the new series is characters who you care about, relate to and want to see over come the odds.
The different location shots and parents interactions helped keep the show grounded in reality and even added to the plot when needed.
The music sounds a little cheesy, this is the 80s, but for the time period it works wonderfully and feels like a time capsule to the past.
In some ways it beats the new generation that tries to stay cool and hip while the classic did its own thing. I enjoy each installment for the variety you her and the issues covered.
Degrassi can't be beat.
Catilian was so hot
ThunderKing614 January 2019
Realistic show for teens!
kevinkishin25 May 2009
Hey! I loved this show growing up,I went to school in Chicago I did not realize how many of my classmates watched the show we use to have discussion about different episodes,the only other American T.V. show I can think of that came close was a short lived series called "Up and Coming",it aired on WTTW channel eleven.My two favorite characters were spike and joey, I have not watched the current series I guess I'm too old school for it,you can't mess with perfection.I caught the show in 1990 and followed it every since,most of the cast showed be in there mid thirties now,what I like the most about them there not like the majority of young American actors who got burned out young and started doing idiotic things for attention.That's my observation and opinion being an American I seen this time and again, the kids from Degrassi seemed solid and grounded in their work.
very good social series
ledamss13 September 2008
I grew up watching "les années collège/ lycée" (Degrassi Junior High/High in French). Must have been aired for the first time in 88 or so, and I was in junior high myself at the time. I was already a TV freak, but I really got hooked by this show : sometimes heavy, sometimes light, dumb, harsh, cute, cruel, cunning, corny, vicious, talkative, stinky, laughing, moaning, crying, smart, boring, entertaining, wise, so-so, great... You get the idea : all and its contrary.
Just like life. Big hit on TV.
We would often talk about the episodes among ourselves the next day, and a few times with the teachers : there are times and things you just don't/can't discuss with your parents when you're in junior hi without feeling super dumb, shameful, sinner (continue the list) because you brought the subject. See what I mean ? My years were not as bad as these kids' in comparison. There was drama aplenty : I think maybe, what, 10 episodes overall ? say 5, do have happy endings.?. Kids in there, they got heavy blows. Ils prenaient cher! A bit of a Zola or Hector Malot's "Remy without family" trend. Somewhat refreshing, more relating to real life experiences : you get hit, recover and move on until the next. Teenagehood is drama, is an ordeal, is a sheat you have to live through and learn to cherish.
I just learned here tonight that the show was Canadian which explains why the drama hooks you up. Americains would have put happy endings all over the place (in everything they do for the screen they need a useless happy ending, I just hate it) ; though I must admit that recent creations (nip/tuck, for example) finally got rid of the Disney coating, yes. Like a snake changing skin.
An excellent social series, in phase with its time, with kids actually being kids, being black, yellow, red, cathos, Jewish, goths, hippies, slim, fat, with zits, braces and geek looking glasses, not rich... All what we've been through. Not cleaned 20 yrs old to play 13 yrs old ones. To my knowledge, sadly, there hasn't been any reruns back here, too bad. I'll have to get it on DVD, to show it to my daughter when she'll start wondering about the very same issues that were treated in Degrassi (she's only 3 now, but kids grow up faster than you'd think !). It definitely beats the sheat out of its descendants : 90210, Dawson, and, ow, I forgot the title, you know, that horrible good thinking and well mannered Wasp family the Dad is a preacher with 6 or 7 kids ?.. Yes, that one. I hate the general ambient of the series, wanna pop a cap in the TV !
I definitely recommend Degrassi Junior and High, as a must have in home video collection. Make a useful gift to a troubled pre and/or early teenager you know...
Just like life. Big hit on TV.
We would often talk about the episodes among ourselves the next day, and a few times with the teachers : there are times and things you just don't/can't discuss with your parents when you're in junior hi without feeling super dumb, shameful, sinner (continue the list) because you brought the subject. See what I mean ? My years were not as bad as these kids' in comparison. There was drama aplenty : I think maybe, what, 10 episodes overall ? say 5, do have happy endings.?. Kids in there, they got heavy blows. Ils prenaient cher! A bit of a Zola or Hector Malot's "Remy without family" trend. Somewhat refreshing, more relating to real life experiences : you get hit, recover and move on until the next. Teenagehood is drama, is an ordeal, is a sheat you have to live through and learn to cherish.
I just learned here tonight that the show was Canadian which explains why the drama hooks you up. Americains would have put happy endings all over the place (in everything they do for the screen they need a useless happy ending, I just hate it) ; though I must admit that recent creations (nip/tuck, for example) finally got rid of the Disney coating, yes. Like a snake changing skin.
An excellent social series, in phase with its time, with kids actually being kids, being black, yellow, red, cathos, Jewish, goths, hippies, slim, fat, with zits, braces and geek looking glasses, not rich... All what we've been through. Not cleaned 20 yrs old to play 13 yrs old ones. To my knowledge, sadly, there hasn't been any reruns back here, too bad. I'll have to get it on DVD, to show it to my daughter when she'll start wondering about the very same issues that were treated in Degrassi (she's only 3 now, but kids grow up faster than you'd think !). It definitely beats the sheat out of its descendants : 90210, Dawson, and, ow, I forgot the title, you know, that horrible good thinking and well mannered Wasp family the Dad is a preacher with 6 or 7 kids ?.. Yes, that one. I hate the general ambient of the series, wanna pop a cap in the TV !
I definitely recommend Degrassi Junior and High, as a must have in home video collection. Make a useful gift to a troubled pre and/or early teenager you know...
Still relevant ... mostly ... but still great!
itsthekylefiles25 October 2023
I absolutely love this show. I still remember racing home after school to watch it every day. I am not sure that my parents would have wanted me watching it, but they didn't exactly pay a lot of attention to what we watched in the 80's and 90's.
While the acting might not be professional and some of the issues they tackle are a little corny, this show taught me SO much about the real world before I entered high school myself.
Growing up in the 80's and 90's our parents weren't exactly talking to us about sex. We didn't have the internet to google things and it really wasn't information to come by easily. I learned a lot from this show, even though it was just the basics, it gave me a jump start and helped me make smart decisions.
Thanks for helping bring me up Degrassi!
While the acting might not be professional and some of the issues they tackle are a little corny, this show taught me SO much about the real world before I entered high school myself.
Growing up in the 80's and 90's our parents weren't exactly talking to us about sex. We didn't have the internet to google things and it really wasn't information to come by easily. I learned a lot from this show, even though it was just the basics, it gave me a jump start and helped me make smart decisions.
Thanks for helping bring me up Degrassi!
GREW UP WITH THESE KIDS!
philstrachan16 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I was just slightly older than the kids in the show and watched it religiously. The characters were relatable and the show tackled topics no other kids shows dared at the time. I can see why Aaron Spelling wanted to buy it but he would have ruined it. In Australia,
Canada relates much more than American shows. This felt real. One of my first crushes was Caitlyn. The actors were all of a good standard, coming from a theatre group. I will never forget the line / scene when Wheel's parents were killed and his grandma snapped at him that "parents aren't meant to bury their children!". That has stayed with me my whole life. It was great to watch on dvd with my own son years later.
What the world needs now is more shows like Degrassi
Dilly-316 August 1999
Ah, Degrassi!
It's so neat to read the reviews from the United States, because I thought that it never went beyond the 49th parallel!
Part of Degrassi's strength was that it was so low budget. The non-slickness of it was very refreshing. They played the same Gowan song at every party... I believe the song was called "High Fashion Model". Anyway, It was nice to see realistic characters living in realistic homes with realistic parents.
Two fave episodes: The condom dispenser episode, and the episode in which Snake, Wheels and Joey attempt to gain entry to a strip joint.
Degrassi really was very valuable for talking about Issues Facing Teens.
Long live Degrassi in our hearts and in reruns on CBC!
It's so neat to read the reviews from the United States, because I thought that it never went beyond the 49th parallel!
Part of Degrassi's strength was that it was so low budget. The non-slickness of it was very refreshing. They played the same Gowan song at every party... I believe the song was called "High Fashion Model". Anyway, It was nice to see realistic characters living in realistic homes with realistic parents.
Two fave episodes: The condom dispenser episode, and the episode in which Snake, Wheels and Joey attempt to gain entry to a strip joint.
Degrassi really was very valuable for talking about Issues Facing Teens.
Long live Degrassi in our hearts and in reruns on CBC!
excellent series
mattkratz15 September 2001
I enjoyed watching this show in high school and college. The main theme of the show was problems faced by kids while growing up (including teen pregnancy, drugs, peer pressure, death of a loved one, relationships, etc.), and I had heard of teachers using it to invoke class discussions during school. All in all, I recommend this to anyone who has ever been a teenager.
Talented cast, mixed results.
chriscuomo19 October 2002
Blessed with a talented cast and crew, and cursed with repeated stabs at "significance" and Big Issues, this was a unique import. Somewhat of a North-of-the-Border Room 222 with it's multi-ethnic cast and issue-driven story lines. While Room 222 is mostly forgotten today, Degrassi is still fondly remembered cult fave around the world. That's in part due to the talent in front of the camera. It's reputation ultimately hinges on the shows handling of the many weighty issues it tackled during its run: abortion! child abuse! suicide! It felt at times that the show's writers were a bit too determined to distance Degrassi from the superficiality of American teen TV. Many had a superficial tv-movie feel to them. Caitlin's epilepsy was never referred to again, for instance. All in all, a quality show that bowed out - or graduated - gracefully, rather than limp along like its fluffy American contemporaries (Saved by the Bell and 90210) did.
Wake up in the morning, Want to watch Degrassi, But I have to go to school...
PinkBubbles1 July 2000
It is truly a shame I wasn't a teenager in the 80's. I was too young when this show was first being aired, and I have to depend on those reruns.
Anyway, this is by far the best television teenage drama series I have ever seen.
The actors portraying the characters were around the same age as the characters, making it realistic, unlike many series for teens.
It dealt with real life situations teenagers face in realistic ways. There are not very many television shows for teenagers I can actually say that about. In fact, I don't think that there was any problems which weren't covered. Drug abuse, sex, sexual orientation, teenage pregnancy, abortion, dating, alcohol abuse, AIDS, stress, depression and suicide, death in the family, racism, sexism. We all felt the tension when Spike found signs of pregnancy, ending in her famous line "Mum, I'm pregnant". We all had sympathy for Wheels, when his (adoptive) parents died and how he dramaticly changed since then, ending in the tragedy in School's Out, in which he kills a small child from drunk driving (his parents having been killed from drunk driving) and is last seen in prison. We all had different reactions and attitude's towards Claude's suicide. We also all had different reactions and attitudes towards Heather's abortion. We all yelled "I knew that would happen eventually!" when Simon and Alexa got married at the end of School's Out. I could go on.
I hope Degrassi continues airing from generation to generation.
Anyway, this is by far the best television teenage drama series I have ever seen.
The actors portraying the characters were around the same age as the characters, making it realistic, unlike many series for teens.
It dealt with real life situations teenagers face in realistic ways. There are not very many television shows for teenagers I can actually say that about. In fact, I don't think that there was any problems which weren't covered. Drug abuse, sex, sexual orientation, teenage pregnancy, abortion, dating, alcohol abuse, AIDS, stress, depression and suicide, death in the family, racism, sexism. We all felt the tension when Spike found signs of pregnancy, ending in her famous line "Mum, I'm pregnant". We all had sympathy for Wheels, when his (adoptive) parents died and how he dramaticly changed since then, ending in the tragedy in School's Out, in which he kills a small child from drunk driving (his parents having been killed from drunk driving) and is last seen in prison. We all had different reactions and attitude's towards Claude's suicide. We also all had different reactions and attitudes towards Heather's abortion. We all yelled "I knew that would happen eventually!" when Simon and Alexa got married at the end of School's Out. I could go on.
I hope Degrassi continues airing from generation to generation.
The ultimate coming-of-age teen drama
Natalie-822 December 1998
Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler produced a decade of critically acclaimed "coming of age" programs based on the characters of DeGrassi Street. Spanning from The Kids of Degrassi Street (1982) to Degrassi Junior High (1986) to Degrassi High (1989) to School's Out: The Degrassi Feature (1991) to Degrassi Talks (1992).
DeGrassi Street is a real street in Toronto Canada but on the series, it is located in an "unnamed North American town" as to represent any kids in any town. However, one who pays close attention to the show will see and hear references to "The Beaches" which is the section of Toronto that the show was filmed around. The Degrassi characters were ethnically and culturally diverse kids from a working class neighborhood. The series captured the every day rituals, pressures, indignities and rites of passages of growing up. Exposing turbulent real world issues such as abortion, AIDS, homosexuality, drug addiction, molestation, and suicide. Yet they also captured humorous and precious moments that make life sweet, such as a slumber parties, squirt gun fights and toilet paper raids. The Degrassi series was consistently intelligent, moralistic, and uplifting.
The Degrassi characters literally grow up on the show. The Playing With Time repertory consisted of a mass group of real kids recruited from local schools. Although many of the characters became famous, there were no "stars" on the show. A rare quality is that the actors are mentioned solely on the end credits as the show was to emphasize the controversial issues as opposed to characters. Costumes consisted of clothing from the actor's own wardrobes and they took turns washing the lunch dishes. Fans affectionately refer to the show as being low budget and full of technical bloopers. The actors describe it as being similar to "a bunch of kids filming a home movie". Then why was it such an international success?
Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High portrayed teenagers AS THEY REALLY ARE. Their problems were consistent, with no one easy answers or one episode resolutions. We all found a character that matched our own personalities and a story plot that (painfully) resembled our own lives. We cried when Heather had an abortion. We laughed when the Zit Remedy filmed a rock video from a garbage dumpster. We shivered when Caitlin had her epileptic seizure. We sighed when Arthur finally got his first kiss. It was the ultimate coming of age series. So universally understood that Director Kevin Smith made references to Degrassi in Clerks, Mallrats and Chasing Amy. We all wished that we could be a "broomhead" or "narbo" on Degrassi Street.
DeGrassi Street is a real street in Toronto Canada but on the series, it is located in an "unnamed North American town" as to represent any kids in any town. However, one who pays close attention to the show will see and hear references to "The Beaches" which is the section of Toronto that the show was filmed around. The Degrassi characters were ethnically and culturally diverse kids from a working class neighborhood. The series captured the every day rituals, pressures, indignities and rites of passages of growing up. Exposing turbulent real world issues such as abortion, AIDS, homosexuality, drug addiction, molestation, and suicide. Yet they also captured humorous and precious moments that make life sweet, such as a slumber parties, squirt gun fights and toilet paper raids. The Degrassi series was consistently intelligent, moralistic, and uplifting.
The Degrassi characters literally grow up on the show. The Playing With Time repertory consisted of a mass group of real kids recruited from local schools. Although many of the characters became famous, there were no "stars" on the show. A rare quality is that the actors are mentioned solely on the end credits as the show was to emphasize the controversial issues as opposed to characters. Costumes consisted of clothing from the actor's own wardrobes and they took turns washing the lunch dishes. Fans affectionately refer to the show as being low budget and full of technical bloopers. The actors describe it as being similar to "a bunch of kids filming a home movie". Then why was it such an international success?
Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High portrayed teenagers AS THEY REALLY ARE. Their problems were consistent, with no one easy answers or one episode resolutions. We all found a character that matched our own personalities and a story plot that (painfully) resembled our own lives. We cried when Heather had an abortion. We laughed when the Zit Remedy filmed a rock video from a garbage dumpster. We shivered when Caitlin had her epileptic seizure. We sighed when Arthur finally got his first kiss. It was the ultimate coming of age series. So universally understood that Director Kevin Smith made references to Degrassi in Clerks, Mallrats and Chasing Amy. We all wished that we could be a "broomhead" or "narbo" on Degrassi Street.
Undoubtably the best Canadian show of all time.
EHolliday23 September 1999
Oh how I miss Degrassi. Why oh Why is it not on anymore?
Yes, I know that it's not realistic towards the high school environment, but come on now... Entertainment is entertainment!! Also, no offence to anyone, but most of the acting was mediocre at best, but strangely it didn't take away from one's enjoyment of the show.
Degrassi was definitely the greatest Canadian teen show ever. Yes, it beats "Madison", "Ready or Not", and the one on YTV where there's a band... I can't remember the name... Oh yeah, Degrassi is also better than "Student Bodies" in my opinion. However, it could definitely be said that perhaps Degrassi opened the door of opportunity for these other low budget teen shows.
Maybe I'm just trying to relive the good old days of my childhood, (when I was between the ages of 4-9 it would seem) but if you can catch an old Degrassi rerun, watch it.
Yes, I know that it's not realistic towards the high school environment, but come on now... Entertainment is entertainment!! Also, no offence to anyone, but most of the acting was mediocre at best, but strangely it didn't take away from one's enjoyment of the show.
Degrassi was definitely the greatest Canadian teen show ever. Yes, it beats "Madison", "Ready or Not", and the one on YTV where there's a band... I can't remember the name... Oh yeah, Degrassi is also better than "Student Bodies" in my opinion. However, it could definitely be said that perhaps Degrassi opened the door of opportunity for these other low budget teen shows.
Maybe I'm just trying to relive the good old days of my childhood, (when I was between the ages of 4-9 it would seem) but if you can catch an old Degrassi rerun, watch it.
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