Degrassi Junior High
March 13th 2008 23:36
Degrassi was the best show that ever came out of Canada.
Starting early with The Kids of Degrassi Street, this series followed a bunch of school kids through their adolescent maturity. The show was well known for its hard-hitting social issues and a cast of non-professional actors.
The peak of the series was Degrassi Junior High from the late 80's, which eventually turned into Degrassi High.
The opening story-arc 'All the way with Stephanie K' is legendary. On re-reviewing the episodes recently, I was surprised at how slutty she really was dressing.
Other famous story-arcs from the show include
Miss Avery's a lesbian!
Wheels' foster parents dying, which followed into him tracking down his real dad.
Joey flunking a year
Dwayne getting AIDS, and Joey finding out
But the longest running story was about Spike's pregnancy (note: everyone that has had sex in the Degrassi series gets pregnant!) and that led into Shane's acid trip where he jumped off a bridge and ended up physically and mentally disabled.
Yep, these kids did it all.
A reoccurring theme was Wheels, Snake and Joey's band the Zit Remedy (later shortened to The ZIts) and their one song 'Everybody Wants Something' - which they played for about 5 years!
Caitlin & Joey then
Caitlin & Joey now
The Degrassi series has continued to this day with Degrassi: The Next Generation, which is actually centered around Spike's daughter.
I was disappointed to hear that Joey and Caitlin were together in the new series, but have broken up again, thanks to her new love interest - played by director Kevin Smith, who had a childhood crush on Caitlin (who didn't?) and even named the lead female in Clerks after her.
But, who could blame her, after what Joey did in the cult classic Degrassi movie - Schools Out.
But I think we all learned plenty from Joey Jeremiah (at your service), Caitlin Ryan, Wheels, Snake, Heather & Erica (the twins), Lucy, Melanie, Kathleen, Spike, Shane, Rick, Arthur, Yick Yu (the disorganized), Tessa and Dwayne.
Not to mention Ms. Avery and Mr Raditch.
If I get a kiss, I'll vote for you, Steph - promise!
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Comment by Neems
Koala Lounge
I wonder if the song that joey's band sings is on youtube??
I think this show did wonders for television as well as hitting the hard social issues. It just seemed more real and less "OC" which is what we have nowadays.
This will get me through the office today! Thanks Jarrah!
Neems x
Comment by Jill Browne
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I think Voula (spelling?) was in the class too.
Thanks for posting that clip with the song, I love it.
Comment by KylieW
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Comment by JohnDoe
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Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I saw Next Generation one day, but it's just not the same.
Michaelie
Comment by Eva W.
Life in Germany
I just LOVED that show.
However, I'm not actually sure how realistic it was. I dare say that they sometimes tried a little too hard to teach young people a "lesson" in those episodes. If so much drama could really happen in one small high school grade, I'd be very impressed.
Thanks to Degrassi, I started high school with some very unrealistic expectations. I was most surprised that by 10th grade I hadn't seen a single pregnant girl walking around the schoolyard. haha
Comment by Jarrah
Back to the Eighties
But I think most will agree, its far more realistic than today's O.C's etc.
But this is what you wanted....The Zits with Everybody Wants Something!
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
If I were Caitlin that would do little to impress me! It's worse, and therefore better, than I even remember! The pants on them! And they are such bad singers!
Comment by Jarrah
Back to the Eighties
Comment by MicKey Moustrap
You did gain Jarrah, thankyou so much, you're a really great writer.
And Jill Browne Miss Avery wasnt really a lesbian, but everyone thought so. It was one of the funniest episodes and Caitlin was having these crazy nightmares about ! ha ha
Comment by Anonymous
the twins were very annoying. my faves were joey, wheels, snake, lucy, spike and luke.
i remember being scared my first day of high school because i thought i would get innitiated the way joey and the gang did on "degrassi high". lol.
Comment by The wonderful Peter Yang
The wonderful Peter Yang's No.1 blog
I mean it started of as a pure kid show, but as they grow older, the storyline really become more mature and in some way, it is more like an adult show by now.
Comment by The wonderful Peter Yang
The wonderful Peter Yang's No.1 blog
I want that as well.
Comment by Luke
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Comment by Cibbuano
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I don't know if it's the BEST show to come out of Canada. Have you seen the Kids in the Hall?
Comment by Jarrah
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Comment by Jill Browne
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Kids in the Hall is quite a bit different from DeGrassi, more offbeat humour, less junior high angst.
Comment by Johnny Rico
Comment by Morgan Bell
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degrassi really shaped my childhood, to this day i genuinely believe anyone who has sex WILL get pregnant! lol . . . even lesbians!
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
That's Pat's IMDB page and it mentions nothing about the 2009 movie. The last thing he has done was in 2006.
But, it would be nice if he did =) he's so cute!
Comment by Anonymous