Degrassi Goes Hollywood

Last updated

Degrassi Goes Hollywood
Written by
  • Sarah Glinski
  • Matt Huether
  • Vera Santamaria
  • Sara Snow
Directed byStefan Brogren
Music by Music
Production
Running time120 minutes
Original release
Release30 August 2009 (2009-08-30) (Canada)
14 August 2009 (2009-08-14) (U.S.)

Degrassi Goes Hollywood, known in syndication as "Paradise City", is a 2009 Canadian television film based on the teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation, the fourth entry of the Degrassi television franchise . Directed by Stefan Brogren, it premiered in the United States on The N on 14 August 2009, and in Canada on CTV on 30 August 2009.

Contents

It is the first Degrassi: The Next Generation television movie, and the second in the franchise overall following School's Out (1992). It is the first mainline Degrassi production primarily filmed outside of Canada. In syndication, it was shown in four parts. An extended version of the film was released as a bonus on the show's season 8 DVD on 1 September 2009.

Plot

Jason Mewes is the writer/director of Mewesical High, an upcoming musical about his high school relationship with his girlfriend Trixie. With the help of Kevin Smith, Mewes holds auditions for Trixie's role at the university of Manny and Emma. Unfortunately, Manny's audition tape is a disaster and she does not get a callback. Manny, encouraged by Kevin Smith to audition for the role again, decides to join a road trip to Los Angeles with Stüdz band members Sav, Peter, and Danny, led by Jay, who has borrowed a Degrassi school bus as travel. Mia rides along to spend time with her boyfriend Peter. Manny is still insecure about her acting and singing abilities due to her abusive relationship with her professor Mick, but she regains her confidence with Jay's help.

Meanwhile, in LA, Paige is working as a lowly assistant for reality show diva Hailey Montel. Hailey has Paige perform menial tasks such as taking care of her dog Truffles. Paige is recruited for the lead role by Mewesical High executive producer Robbie and furnished with a personal limousine and a gorgeous mansion. After vowing not to inherit Hailey's vain attitude, Paige quits her assistant job and invites Ellie and Marco from Toronto to celebrate with her. Ellie, trying to ignore the news that her father is returning from a military tour in Afghanistan, agrees to go to LA.

Filming is not going well with Paige as she frequently butts heads with Mewes on Trixie's character. Mewes wants to fire Paige, but Robbie demands she stays. Trying to get better acquainted with the Hollywood lifestyle, Paige seeks Hailey's advice. Hailey pushes Paige to improvise her lines and assert herself, alienating Marco and gaining a reputation as a diva among the Hollywood scene. Mewes is eventually fed up with Paige's antics and fires her. Manny is reinvigorated after getting the news of Paige's open position, but stalls to arrive after the gang's bus is stolen and broken down. Robbie, bluffing to keep Paige's job, threatens to fire Mewes, but Mewes suddenly quits, putting the musical in jeopardy.

Marco encourages Ellie to reach out to her family, but she lashes out and leaves to reconnect with a rehabilitated Craig, who is touring with Fall Out Boy. After spending a romantic day with him, Ellie is surprised to find Craig's girlfriend Yvette waiting at his apartment. Heartbroken and depressed, Ellie begins drinking heavily and nearly drowns herself at Venice Beach. Marco and Craig rescue her and convince her to visit her family in Canada. Ellie kisses Craig just before she says goodbye.

Paige is now a social pariah in Hollywood and will no longer get offers. Desperate to keep her fame, Paige conspires with Hailey to perform a salacious photo op. Marco confronts Paige for her lack of self-respect, causing Paige to slap him. Marco sadly leaves the mansion. Just as Manny and her friends make it to LA, she gets a call from Mewes explaining the movie's cancellation. Upset, they arrive to a local movie premiere, where Paige nearly second guesses the photo op. Manny recognizes Paige, causing the latter to trip and break her leg on the red carpet. Paige does Stüdz and Manny a favor by having them perform outside Mewes' window, guaranteeing them a spot in the musical.

Paige becomes Mewes' assistant, Ellie tearfully reunites with her father, and Manny and Jay promise to stay together after the movie finishes filming.

Cast

Former Degrassi: The Next Generation co-star, Shenae Grimes and her current series, 90210 , are spoken of in dialogue by Hailey Montel (Mary Ashton) at a party, making Grimes the first Degrassi actor to exist within the Degrassi fictional universe independently of her character. Her Degrassi character, Darcy Edwards is neither seen nor referred to in Degrassi Goes Hollywood, and was said to be volunteering in Africa in a previous season. The line of dialogue, "Does 90210 have an After Show?" also refers to the Canadian series The After Show , which is co-hosted by Dan Levy who plays Robbie in the film. Also making an appearance is Romina D'Ugo, who appeared on the first season of So You Think You Can Dance Canada , as well as Janna Polzin, who was runner-up on How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? This was done again the following year with Degrassi Takes Manhattan , when The After Show's Jessi Cruickshank mentions Drake.

Stacey Farber earned a Gemini Award nomination for best performance in a children's or youth program or series, as Ellie Nash in "Paradise City (Part Three)". [2] The award was won by Michael Seater (who also appeared in Degrassi Goes Hollywood) for his work on Life with Derek . He would then star beside Farber in 18 to Life .

Production

Filming was split between Toronto and Hollywood with the majority being the former to keep production cost low. Adamo, Stacey, Lauren, Jake, and Jason all filmed in both locations while everyone else filmed only in Canada. All of the studio scenes were shot in Toronto during Degrassi's regular filming schedule while a lot of outdoor Los Angeles was filmed on location in less than a weeks time. Paige's mansion was filmed in both Canada and Los Angeles.

Absences

The following characters do not appear in the movie, but were regular characters on the show during the previous season.

Music

Degrassi Goes Hollywood:
Music from the Original Movie
Soundtrack album by
Released4 August 2009 (2009-08-04)
Genre Punk/Alternative Rock
Length37:08 (CD)
44:17 (iTunes)
Label Sall Entertainment Group
Degrassi chronology
Music from Degrassi: The Next Generation Degrassi Goes Hollywood:
Music from the Original Movie
Degrassi Takes Manhattan: The Heat Is On

Degrassi Goes Hollywood: Music from the Original Movie is the title of the movie soundtrack released on CD on 4 August 2009, and digital download 25 August 2009. It features songs from little known Canadian artist as well as five original songs performed by cast members Cassie Steele and Jake Epstein. Some of the songs featured on it were previously used in the show, thus making this the eighth season soundtrack as well. [3] [4] [5]

No.TitleArtistLength
1."Crash My Party"Cassie Steele3:03
2."Good Year"Keith and Renee3:22
3."My Fair Weather Friend"The Blue Seeds3:27
4."Rescue You"Jake Epstein4:46
5."Watch Out for the Fuzz"Howie Beck3:05
6."Life Is a Show"Cassie Steele4:12
7."All I Wanna Do"The School3:01
8."The Bee Hell"The Two Minute Miracles3:00
9."Swan Song"Jake Epstein1:46
10."Come On and Go"Scout3:59
11."I Just Wanna Party" Stüdz 0:34
12."One Saturday Night Away"Cassie Steele & The Mewesical High Cast2:53
iTunes Store bonus tracks
No.TitleArtistLength
13."Crash My Party (Ralph Sall Remix)"Cassie Steele2:54
14."Life Is a Show (Ralph Sall Remix)"Cassie Steele4:15

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Smith</span> American filmmaker (born 1970)

Kevin Patrick Smith is an American director, producer, writer, and actor. He came to prominence with the low-budget comedy buddy film Clerks (1994), which he wrote, directed, co-produced, and acted in as the character Silent Bob of stoner duo Jay and Silent Bob, characters who also appeared in Smith's later films Mallrats (1995), Chasing Amy (1997), Dogma (1999), Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), Clerks II (2006), Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019), and Clerks III (2022) which are set primarily in his home state of New Jersey. While not strictly sequential, the films have crossover plot elements, character references, and a shared canon known as the "View Askewniverse", named after Smith's production company View Askew Productions, which he co-founded with Scott Mosier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay and Silent Bob</span> Fictional characters

Jay and Silent Bob are fictional characters portrayed by American actors Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, respectively. They appear in the View Askewniverse, a fictional universe used in most of the films, comics, and television programs written and produced by Smith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Mewes</span> American actor (born 1974)

Jason Edward Mewes is an American actor, comedian, film producer, and podcaster. He is best known for playing Jay, the vocal half of the duo Jay and Silent Bob, in longtime friend Kevin Smith's films.

<i>Jersey Girl</i> (2004 film) 2004 film by Kevin Smith

Jersey Girl is a 2004 American comedy-drama film written, co-edited and directed by Kevin Smith. It stars Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler with George Carlin, Stephen Root, Mike Starr, Raquel Castro, Jason Biggs and Jennifer Lopez in supporting roles. The film follows a widowed man who must take care of his precocious daughter after her mother dies during childbirth.

<i>Degrassi: The Next Generation</i> 2001 Canadian teen drama television series

Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Yan Moore and Linda Schuyler. It is the fourth series in the Degrassi franchise and a revival of Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High. It premiered on CTV on October 14, 2001 and concluded on August 2, 2015 on MTV Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cassie Steele</span> Canadian actress and singer (born 1989)

Cassandra Rae Steele is a Canadian actress and singer known for portraying Manny Santos on Degrassi: The Next Generation and Abby Vargas on The L.A. Complex. In 2014, she played Sarah in the MTV horror television movie The Dorm. She also voices Tammy Gueterman and Tricia Lange in Adult Swim's Rick and Morty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stacey Farber</span> Canadian actress (born 1987)

Stacey Farber is a Canadian actress. She played Ellie Nash in seasons 2 through 8 of the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation. From 2010 to 2011, she starred in the CBC series 18 to Life. From 2014 to 2017, she played Sydney Katz on the Canadian medical drama Saving Hope, and since 2023 she has had a lead role on The Spencer Sisters. Stacey has also recurred on the Netflix drama series Virgin River and the CW superhero series Superman & Lois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caitlin Ryan (Degrassi)</span> Fictional character from Degrassi franchise

Caitlin Ryan is a fictional character from the Degrassi teen drama franchise. Portrayed by Stacie Mistysyn, Caitlin is a main character on both Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High, which chronicle her maturation from a seventh grader to a high school graduate. Mistysyn returned to play an adult Caitlin on Degrassi: The Next Generation, in which Caitlin was a recurring character. Mistysyn won a Gemini Award for her portrayal of the character in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J.T. Yorke</span> Fictional character on Degrassi: The Next Generation

James Tiberius "J.T." Yorke is a fictional character from the Canadian teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation. He was portrayed by Ryan Cooley. He debuted in the first episode of the series and appeared throughout its first six seasons. His role throughout Degrassi: The Next Generation primarily concerns his friendship with Toby Issacs, his relationship with Liberty Van Zandt, and his later brief relationship with Mia Jones. In the show's fifth season, Liberty becomes pregnant after the two become sexually active, with Liberty ultimately deciding to put the baby up for adoption. He then begins to date Mia by the sixth season, but has second thoughts about Liberty. Before he is able to rekindle his relationship with Liberty, he is stabbed to death by Drake Lempkey, a student from rival school Lakehurst, puncturing his aorta and killing him. His death causes tensions between Degrassi and Lakehurst, which are exacerbated by the latter's students being moved to Degrassi in the seventh season.

Time Stands Still (<i>Degrassi: The Next Generation</i>) 7th and 8th episodes of the 4th season of Degrassi: The Next Generation

"Time Stands Still" is a two-part episode of the Canadian teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation. It aired on CTV in Canada on 5 & 12 October 2004. In the two-part episode, Rick Murray, ostracized after he physically abused his girlfriend in the previous season, brings a gun to school and shoots and paralyzes Jimmy Brooks, when a prank pulled on Rick is blamed on Jimmy. Rick is then accidentally killed by Sean Cameron in his attempt to stop the shooting. Despite being a two-part episode, many events were still unresolved until later in the season.

Nathan Stephenson is a Canadian former actor best known for his starring roles in Radio Free Roscoe as Robbie McGrath and in System Crash as James Alexander. He has also guest starred on Naturally, Sadie, Dark Oracle and in the TV film Cyber Seduction: His Secret Life. In 2007, he also played Griffin, an HIV positive engineering university student who was roommates with Paige Michalchuk, Marco Del Rossi, and Ellie Nash in Degrassi: The Next Generation.

"Mother and Child Reunion" is the two-part pilot episode of the Canadian teen drama television series Degrassi: The Next Generation, which premiered on October 14, 2001 on the CTV Television Network. The episode was written by story editor Aaron Martin and series co-creator/creative consultant Yan Moore, and directed by Bruce McDonald. As with the majority of Degrassi: The Next Generation episodes, "Mother and Child Reunion" takes its title from a pop song, "Mother and Child Reunion", written and performed by Paul Simon.

<i>Degrassi: The Next Generation</i> season 8 Season of television series

The eighth season of Degrassi: The Next Generation premiered in Canada on 5 October 2008, concluded on 30 August 2009, and consists of twenty-two episodes. Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian serial teen drama television series. Although only one school year passed in the story timeline since season six, season eight is set in the fall semester of the year in which it aired. Writers have been able to use a semi-floating timeline, so that the issues depicted are modern for their viewers. This season depicts the lives of a group of high school freshmen, juniors, seniors, and graduates as they deal with some of the challenges and issues young adults face such as sex, sexism, sexual identity, financial difficulties, drug use, mental disorders, cyberbullying, child molestation, stress, hostage situations, racism, and psychological abuse. Thirteen actors are added to the ensemble cast, while fourteen cast members have either left the series or been dropped from the main cast to recurring roles. The season focuses heavily on the new generation of students at Degrassi Community School, although it included storylines about those who have graduated and gone on to university.

Accidents Will Happen (<i>Degrassi: The Next Generation</i>) 14th and 15th episodes of the 3rd season of Degrassi: The Next Generation

"Accidents Will Happen" is a two-part episode from the third season of the Canadian television series Degrassi: The Next Generation. In Canada, the first part aired on CTV on 26 January 2004, and the second part aired on 9 February. The two-part episode follows Manny Santos discovering she is pregnant and ultimately deciding to get an abortion.

<i>Degrassi</i> season 10 Season of television series

The tenth season of the Canadian teen drama television series Degrassi, formerly known as Degrassi: The Next Generation, premiered in Canada on July 19, 2010, concluded on April 22, 2011, and consists of 44 episodes. Due to the titular "next generation" of students having been written out by this time, the suffix was dropped. With the start of the tenth season, the series survived longer than the nine-year gap between the Degrassi High telemovie School's Out (1992) and The Next Generation's premiere episode "Mother and Child Reunion" (2001).

Degrassi Takes Manhattan, titled "The Rest of My Life" in syndication, is a 2010 Canadian television film based on the teen drama television series Degrassi: The Next Generation, the fourth entry of the Degrassi television franchise, which by release was renamed simply Degrassi. Directed by Stefan Brogren, it premiered in Canada on MuchMusic on 16 July 2010 and in the United States on TeenNick on 19 July 2010.

High Fidelity (<i>Degrassi: The Next Generation</i>) 18th and 19th episodes of the 5th season of Degrassi: The Next Generation

"High Fidelity" is a two-part episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation, directed by Phil Earnshaw, that was broadcast as the final episode in season five. In Canada, the first part premiered on CTV on 13 March 2006, and the second part premiered on 20 March. The second part is also the hundredth episode of the series.

<i>Spoilers with Kevin Smith</i> 2010s American film review talk show

Spoilers with Kevin Smith is a film review television talk show that premiered June 4, 2012 on Hulu. The show, described as an "anti-movie review" show, is hosted by Kevin Smith and produced by Smith's SModcast Pictures. A second season of Spoilers aired on The Comedy Network in Canada. Ten new half-hour episodes were shot in Los Angeles. The first series was filmed at "SModCo Studios", the upper floor of The Jon Lovitz Podcast Theatre at CityWalk in Universal Studios Hollywood. The second series was filmed at Raleigh Studios.

<i>Jay and Silent Bob Reboot</i> 2019 film by Kevin Smith

Jay and Silent Bob Reboot is a 2019 American satirical buddy stoner comedy film written, directed, edited by, and starring Kevin Smith. A sequel to Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, it is the eighth film in the View Askewniverse. The film also stars Jason Mewes, and features cameos from Brian O'Halloran, Jason Lee, Justin Long, Shannon Elizabeth, Rosario Dawson, Val Kilmer, Melissa Benoist, Craig Robinson, Tommy Chong, Chris Hemsworth, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck.

References

  1. "Episode Guide: Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood". TV.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  2. "24th Annual Gemini Awards". Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. 20 October 2009. Archived from the original on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  3. "Degrassi Goes Hollywood: Music Orig Movie". Amazon. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  4. Apple (25 August 2009). "Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood (Music from the Original Movie)". iTunes Store (Canada). Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  5. Apple. "Degrassi Goes Hollywood (Bonus Track Version) [Music from the Original Movie]". iTunes Store (United States). Archived from the original on 21 January 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2011.