Degrassi Junior High season 2

Last updated
Degrassi Junior High season 2
Season 2
Degrassi Junior High - Season 2 DVD cover.jpg
Region 1 DVD cover
No. of episodes13
Release
Original network CBC Television
Original releaseJanuary 4 (1988-01-04) –
April 18, 1988 (1988-04-18)
Season chronology

The second season of Degrassi Junior High , a Canadian teen drama television series, aired in Canada from January 4, 1988, to April 18, 1988, consisting of thirteen episodes. The series follows the lives of a group of seventh and eighth grade school children attending the titular school as they face various issues and challenges such as child abuse, homophobia, teenage pregnancy, and body image.

Contents

The second season aired on Mondays at 8:30.p.m on CBC Television, in prime time. Re-runs of the first season were slotted an hour earlier by CBC's programming chief Ivan Fecan, who hailed the series, [1] before being moved to 8:30.p.m in the leadup to the second season's debut. [2] In the United States, the first two seasons of the series were aired together as one twenty-six-episode season on PBS. [3] The season was released to DVD by WGBH Boston Home Video on June 7, 2005, in the United States, and by Force Entertainment on October 1, 2005, in Australia.

Production

Following the show's move to prime time, Degrassi Junior High had amassed over a million weekly viewers. [4] Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler decided to continue many of the plotlines from the previous season, while balancing them with more lighthearted plots. [4] Several changes were made for the second season. In one instance, actor Neil Hope, who played Derek "Wheels" Wheeler, began wearing glasses after suffering severe headaches on set, in which his character followed suit. [4] Actress Sarah Charlesworth, who played Suzie Rivera, aimed to leave to concentrate on school. [4]

The premiere episode "Eggbert", centering around pregnant student Christine "Spike" Nelson (Amanda Stepto) and her boyfriend Shane McKay (Bill Parrott) taking care of an egg as if it were a baby, was inspired by an experiment conducted in schools across Toronto to teach children about responsibility. [4]

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
141"Eggbert"Kit HoodYan MooreJanuary 4, 1988 (1988-01-04) [5] 201

In counseling, Spike, who has decided to keep the baby, is advised to take care of an egg, christened 'Eggbert' by Heather, as if it were a baby, to learn about responsibility. She refuses to speak to Shane, still angry at him for what happened. Shane, who has not yet told his parents about the pregnancy, looks to prove himself to Spike by taking care of the egg, and when he catches up with her on a stairwell, she gives him Eggbert. Shane struggles with peer pressure, as well as his own inhibitions, while taking care of the egg. Lucy invites the entire class to a party, and Spike, who is attending, confidently warns Shane about his responsibility. However, Shane goes to the party anyway, and throws Eggbert around with the other kids, which causes Spike to storm out and an argument to ensue outside. Following this, Shane tells his parents. Meanwhile, Stephanie stops dressing provocatively in an effort to act more mature and gives her clothes away to Alexa Pappadopoulos (Irene Courakos), but wants them back to impress new student Simon Dexter.

NOTE: This episode marks the first appearances of Michael Carry as Simon Dexter, and Christopher Charlesworth as Scooter Webster.
152"A Helping Hand..."Kit HoodYan MooreJanuary 11, 1988 (1988-01-11) [6] 202
A teacher named Mr. Colby substitutes for Mr. Raditch, and takes a particular interest in Lucy. Despite LD being very suspicious about Colby, Lucy denies it, but later finds out her suspicions are true when Colby begins touching her inappropriately. Meanwhile, Wheels is being tutored by Ms. Avery and gets glasses as a result of eye problems, and later witnesses Colby touching Lucy, inadvertently helping her escape a potential sexual assault when he enters the classroom to get a book.
163"Great Expectations"Kit HoodYan MooreJanuary 18, 1988 (1988-01-18) [7] 203

Joey develops a crush on the new girl, Liz O'Rourke (Cathy Keenan), and assumes she "does it" because of her clothing choices. Visibly annoyed by receiving unwanted attention, she insults Stephanie's changing into provocative clothes at school. She later befriends Spike after the latter offers to sit near her at lunch and explains to her that she wasn't judged in her hometown. Joey however becomes her work partner, ultimately planning to have sex with her. After buying condoms, he arrives at her home and they begin studying, when he tries to initiate a sexual encounter. An angered Liz then kicks him out of the house. Meanwhile, Stephanie continuously tries and fails to impress Simon. ---

NOTE: First appearance of Cathy Keenan as Liz O'Rourke.
174"Dinner & a Show"Kit HoodSusin NielsenJanuary 25, 1988 (1988-01-25) [8] 204
Shane's father invites Spike and her mother to meet for dinner in order to discuss the baby. Shane tells this to Spike, who doubts that meeting would make a difference, and that her mother would accept the invitation at all. She ultimately does not end up telling her mother about the proposed meeting, but unbeknownst to her, her mother was already notified and had accepted the invitation. Meanwhile, Shane's parents are wanting to put the baby up for adoption as soon as it's born, as well as send him to private school, which Shane strongly disagrees with. At the dinner, there is significant tension between Shane and his parents, with them wanting to send Spike to a home, as well as claiming that Shane agreed to go to private school. Shane defends Spike, and accuses his parents of wanting to send him to private school to avoid feeling embarrassed, further adding that he would prove his responsibility as a father. Shane and Spike meet up at school the next day. Meanwhile, Melanie goes on her first date with Snake to see the film "Revenge of the Reptiles", which she claimed to Yick was not her taste. When Joey and Wheels hijack Melanie and Snake's date, Yick discovers Melanie also watching the movie.
185"Stage Fright"John BertramSusin NielsenFebruary 1, 1988 (1988-02-01) [9] 205
Caitlin is diagnosed with epilepsy after having a seizure during the holidays, but she secretly does not take her medication out of fear of embarrassment. She auditions for a school play named "Love's Fresh Faces", where she competes with Kathleen to get the role of Isabelle. During class, Caitlin has an absence seizure, much to the confusion of her friend Suzie. After auditioning for the play, Caitlin has another, but maintains that she is fine, and would be coming over to Suzie's house for a sleepover. Before she goes to the sleepover, she leaves her medication in her room. Eventually, during the sleepover, Caitlin suddenly suffers a violent seizure. The next day, before dropping her off, Caitlin's mother stresses the importance of the medication and wishes her good luck on the school play. However, Kathleen ends up winning the role, and Caitlin gets the role of Isabelle's servant. Angered, she refuses to participate in the play, before eventually relenting. Meanwhile, Michelle Accette (Maureen McKay) struggles with shyness due to an upcoming school speech, to which Joey and others tease her for.
196"Fight!"Yan MooreMike DouglasFebruary 8, 1988 (1988-02-08) [10] 206

Joey begins to be bullied by a boy named Dwayne (Darrin Brown) and his two friends. Joey's attempts to get revenge wind up making Dwayne angrier, and he challenges Joey to a fight in the park after school. Joey becomes fearful of the confrontation and attempts to try and avoid it, but Snake and Wheels tell him that he would be called a coward. Joey shows up to the fight, which draws in nearly the entire school as an audience, but winds up losing. Meanwhile, Stephanie continues to win over Simon's attention, but it becomes increasingly obvious he is more interested in Alexa.

NOTE: This episode marks the first appearance of Darrin Brown as Dwayne Myers. Following this episode, he would remain as a background character until the first season of Degrassi High .
207"Bottled Up"Kit HoodYan MooreFebruary 15, 1988 (1988-02-15) [11] 207
Kathleen struggles with an alcoholic mother and tries to hide this from her friends in the lead-up to a game show that they are going to compete in. When Kathleen gets home from the game show, she has an argument with her mother, which results in her being slapped in the face.
218"Sealed with a Kiss"John BertramYan MooreFebruary 22, 1988 (1988-02-22) [12] 208
Degrassi invites the students from a nearby high school to their school dance, and Erica meets a boy named Aaron. Heather witnesses them kissing, and it causes the two to quarrel. Later, Erica begins to show symptoms of mononucleosis, and believes it to be from Aaron, who arrives at their house for a date while Erica is bedridden. Noticing Aaron appeared to mistake her for Erica and not care when told the truth, Heather decides to go on the date with him, and Aaron kisses her too. Arriving back home, she finds out that Erica's symptoms started after she had kissed Aaron, and the two get checked out at a clinic; it turns out to be tonsillitis.
229"Dog Days"Kit HoodYan MooreFebruary 29, 1988 (1988-02-29)209
The events of Stephanie's life during the past year; her stresses as school president, her failure to impress Simon Dexter, and her parents' divorce, cause her to spiral into a deep depression. She dreams of jumping from a bridge, and exhibits an extremely pessimistic demeanor at school, which concerns Erica, Heather, and even Mr. Raditch. Meanwhile, Arthur finds a dog, names him Phil and takes him in, bringing him to school. He is eventually caught twice with the dog and is forced to go home early. At home, their mother is dating a man named Jerry, who Stephanie immensely dislikes, despite seemingly being harmless. This causes friction between her and their mother, which only increases when their mother reveals she plans to marry Jerry. Arthur also quarrels with their mother over the dog and leaves the house; Stephanie follows suit to look for him and finds him at the par, and the two agree to convince their mother to keep Phil.
2310"Censored"Mike DouglasKathryn EllisApril 4, 1988 (1988-04-04) [13] 210

Spike falls under scrutiny with the parents of Degrassi, who demand her removal claiming her pregnancy sets a bad example. Angered, Caitlin attempts to publish a piece decrying Spike's removal, but it is rejected for being biased, and so Caitlin hands out copies of her piece to others. Spike discovers this and admonishes Caitlin for publicizing her pregnancy and not consulting her first.

NOTE: This was the first episode to air after several preemptions.
2411"Trust Me"Kit HoodYan MooreApril 11, 1988 (1988-04-11) [14] 211
Joey and Wheels convince Snake to have a sleepover at his house while his parents are away. During their stay at his house, Joey notices Snake's parents' car, and becomes enamored with the idea of driving it. The next morning, Wheels realizes he is late for an eye appointment, and despite Snake's protests, Joey suggests they drive to the optometrist themselves. After a van backs into the parked car, they believe the taillight to be broken and have it fixed, using money they saved to purchase a bass amplifier. However, they soon find out the taillight was already broken and they were found out, and are forbidden from seeing each other. Meanwhile, Spike is definitively kicked out of Degrassi, with Erica and Heather offering to give her assignments in her absence.
2512"...He's Back"Clarke MackeySusin Nielsen
Yan Moore		April 18, 1988 (1988-04-18) [15] 212
Mr. Colby makes a surprising return to Degrassi to substitute once again, something which disgusts Lucy, Wheels, and LD. This time, Colby sets his sights on an unsuspecting Suzie, and Lucy tries to support her.
2613"Pass Tense"Kit HoodYan MooreApril 25, 1988 (1988-04-25) [15] 213

Joey is told by Mr. Raditch that he is being held back, which makes him depressed in the lead-up to the Zit Remedy's public debut at the end-of-year dance. Spike is allowed to return to school to sit her final exams, and makes a surprise appearance at the dance, before going into labour after the band performs.

NOTE: This marks the final appearance of Nicole Stoffman as Stephanie Kaye. Stoffman would leave the series to star in the CTV sitcom Learning The Ropes . This also marks the final appearance of Sarah Charlesworth as Suzie Rivera.

Home media

The season was released to DVD by WGBH Boston Home Video on June 7, 2005, in the United States, [16] [17] and by Force Entertainment on October 1, 2005, in Australia. [18]

Related Research Articles

<i>Degrassi Junior High</i> 1987 Canadian teen drama television series

Degrassi Junior High is a Canadian television series created by Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler. The second series in the Degrassi franchise and the first to be set in a universe that has spanned multiple decades, it aired on the CBC from 18 January 1987 to 27 February 1989, and on PBS in the United States starting from September 1987. A non-union show, it was primarily produced by Playing With Time with involvement from WGBH. Although not generally acknowledged by the mainstream, it has been frequently referred to as a pioneer of the teen drama genre that prefigured later and better-known series such as Beverly Hills, 90210 and Dawson's Creek.

<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.

<i>Degrassi</i> Canadian teen drama franchise

Degrassi is a Canadian teen drama television franchise created by Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler. With five main installments between 1979 and 2017, the franchise follows the lives of youths in Toronto, with the titular junior high and/or high school as the central setting; since 1987, each entry has taken place in the same fictional universe. Outside of television, the franchise comprises a variety of other media, such as companion novels, graphic novels, documentaries, soundtracks, and non-fiction works.

<i>The Kids of Degrassi Street</i> 1979 Canadian childrens television series

The Kids of Degrassi Street is a Canadian children's television series created by Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler. The first entry in the Degrassi franchise and the only one to focus on children instead of teenagers, it follows the lives of a group of children living on De Grassi Street in Toronto. It was produced by Hood and Schuyler's independent company Playing With Time. The series originated as a collection of annual standalone short films that started with Ida Makes a Movie, a live-action adaptation of the Kay Chorao book which premiered on the CBC on December 8, 1979. It became a full series in 1982 when the CBC ordered five more episodes.

<i>Degrassi High</i> 1989 Canadian teen drama television series

Degrassi High is a Canadian television series created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood. The third entry in the Degrassi teen drama franchise and the direct continuation of Degrassi Junior High, it aired on the CBC for two seasons from November 6, 1989 to February 28, 1991 and on PBS in the United States starting from January 13, 1990. Like its predecessor, it was a non-union show produced by Playing With Time with involvement from WGBH.

<i>Degrassi Talks</i> 1992 documentary television series based on the Degrassi franchise

Degrassi Talks is a Canadian non-fiction documentary television miniseries and part of the Degrassi franchise created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood. Running six episodes from February 29 to March 30, 1992, it featured actors from Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High taking the role of journalists and conducting interviews with other teenagers and young adults across Canada on various topics addressed by the series such as abuse, substance addiction, homophobia, and teenage pregnancy. It combined candid and man-on-the-street interviews as well as relevant archive footage from the television series and on-screen statistics. Each episode was hosted by an actor whose character had some relation to the focused subject.

Stacie Moana Mistysyn is an American and Canadian actress who is best known for her role as Caitlin Ryan throughout multiple incarnations of the Degrassi teen drama franchise, from Degrassi Junior High through Degrassi: The Next Generation. She previously played Lisa Canard in The Kids of Degrassi Street from 1982 to 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linda Schuyler</span> English-born Canadian television producer

Linda Schuyler is a Canadian television producer. She is best known for being the co-creator and producer of the Degrassi franchise, which has spanned five series over four decades. She is a co-founder of Playing With Time, Inc., and Epitome Pictures, the production companies involved with the franchise over its 40-year-long history respectively.

<i>Schools Out</i> (1992 film) 1992 television film based on the Degrassi franchise

School's Out is a Canadian drama television film based on the Degrassi teen drama franchise created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. It was directed by Hood and written by Yan Moore, based on a story by Moore, Schuyler and Hood. It aired on CBC Television on January 5, 1992, and served as a finale to the series Degrassi High and its predecessor Degrassi Junior High, which are collectively known as the Degrassi Classic era of the franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Jeremiah</span> Fictional character from the "Degrassi" franchise

Joseph "Joey" Jeremiah is a fictional character from the Degrassi teen drama franchise. He is portrayed by Pat Mastroianni. He debuted in the first episode of Degrassi Junior High and appeared throughout Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, and the first five seasons of Degrassi: The Next Generation. As one of the main focus characters of the original two series, his role primarily concerns his friendship with Archie "Snake" Simpson and Derek "Wheels" Wheeler, his on-and-off romantic relationship with Caitlin Ryan, and in The Next Generation, his relationship with his stepson Craig Manning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kit Hood</span> Canadian television writer, director, and producer (1943–2020)

Christopher Hood, known professionally as Kit Hood, was a Canadian director, editor, writer, and producer who is best known for being the co-creator of the Degrassi television franchise. He was the co-creator and a major creative force of the first three series of the franchise, The Kids of Degrassi Street (1979–86), Degrassi Junior High (1987–89), and Degrassi High (1989-91). As a director, Hood won a Gemini Award in 1987 for the Degrassi Junior High episode "It's Late".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christine Nelson</span> Fictional character from Degrassi

Christine "Spike" Nelson is a fictional character from the Degrassi teen drama franchise. Portrayed by Amanda Stepto, Spike appeared throughout Degrassi Junior High (1987–89), Degrassi High (1989–91), and the first nine seasons of Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001–10). Starting as an unnamed extra before being given a name and storyline, Spike's character largely revolves around her teenage pregnancy and motherhood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epitome Pictures</span> Canadian film and television production company

Epitome Pictures Inc. was a Canadian film and television production company based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded by Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn in 1992, the company is best known for producing Degrassi: The Next Generation and Degrassi: Next Class, the fourth and fifth respective entries of the Degrassi teen drama franchise, of which was co-created by Schuyler. Other television series produced by Epitome include Liberty Street,Riverdale, and The L.A. Complex. In 2016, Epitome was absorbed into DHX Media and the Epitome name and branding ceased.

Its Late (<i>Degrassi Junior High</i>) 11th episode of the 1st season of Degrassi Junior High

"It's Late" is the 11th episode of the first season of Canadian teen drama television series Degrassi Junior High. It originally aired on the CBC in Canada on April 5, 1987. After a careless night with Shane at a classmate's party, Spike fears she is pregnant. Meanwhile, Arthur gives continuously bad romantic advice to his friend Yick.

A New Start (<i>Degrassi High</i>) 1st and 2nd episodes of the 1st season of Degrassi High

"A New Start" is the two-part premiere episode of the Canadian teen drama series Degrassi High. It aired on CBC in its hour-long form on 6 November 1989, and on PBS in the United States on 13 January 1990. The episode was written by Yan Moore and directed by Kit Hood. It is the first of three episodes of Degrassi that depict abortion, followed by 2003's "Accidents Will Happen" from Degrassi: The Next Generation and 2017's "#IRegretNothing" from Degrassi: Next Class.

<i>Degrassi Junior High season 1</i> Season of Degrassi Junior High

The first season of Degrassi Junior High, a Canadian teen drama television series, aired in Canada from January 18, 1987, to May 3, 1987, consisting of thirteen episodes. The series follows the lives of a group of seventh and eighth grade school children attending the titular school as they face various issues and challenges such as child abuse, homophobia, teenage pregnancy, and body image. Filming for the season began on 8–10 July 1986 in Etobicoke, Ontario and wrapped in the winter of 1986.

"Bye-Bye, Junior High" is the sixteenth episode of the third and final season of Canadian teen drama television series Degrassi Junior High. It originally aired on CBC Television in Canada on February 27, 1989. It was written by Yan Moore and directed by Kit Hood. The episode takes place at the end of the school year as graduation approaches; despite the fallout from the death of his parents at the beginning of the season, Derek "Wheels" Wheeler manages to pass, but Christine "Spike" Nelson, who is raising her daughter Emma, must make up for poor grades over the holidays, something which she does not react well to. At the graduation dance, a fault in the boiler room causes a fire to spread throughout the school, razing it to the ground.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Playing With Time, Inc.</span> Film and television production company in Toronto, Canada

Playing With Time, Inc. was a Canadian independent film and television production company based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1976, it is best known for being the original production company for the Degrassi television franchise, producing The Kids of Degrassi Street (1979–86), Degrassi Junior High (1987–89), and Degrassi High (1989–91). It also produced educational short films throughout its existence. The company's work was known for its unconventional filmmaking practices, including casting ordinary people in lieu of experienced trained actors. Schuyler founded Epitome Pictures in 1992, leaving Hood in sole control of the company. By 1998, it was dormant.

References

  1. ↑ "CBC slots Degrassi in prime time". Toronto Star . June 24, 1987. Archived from the original on September 14, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  2. ↑ Anderson, Bill (December 30, 1987). "Future looks bright for Degrassi". The Vancouver Sun .
  3. ↑ Burns, John (5 February 1989). "'Degrassi': A Series For Children That Goes for the Gut". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Devins, Susan (January 2, 1988). "Degrassi Junior High tackles tougher subjects this term". The Toronto Star .
  5. ↑ Kennedy, Janice (December 31, 1987). "Degrassi Junior High: Popular series starts its second semester this week". Montreal Gazette . Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Top Billing". Star-Phoenix. 1988-01-11. p. 21. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  7. ↑ "Prime Time Tonight". Star-Phoenix. 1988-01-11. p. 21. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  8. ↑ "Top Billing". Star-Phoenix. 1988-01-25. p. 13. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  9. ↑ "Clipped From Star-Phoenix". Star-Phoenix. 1988-02-01. p. 10. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  10. ↑ "Prime Time Tonight". Edmonton Journal. 1988-02-08. p. 10. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  11. ↑ "What's on tonight". The Ottawa Citizen. 1988-02-15. p. 54. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  12. ↑ "Top Billing". Star-Phoenix. 1988-02-29. p. 32. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  13. ↑ "Today's Highlights". The Province. 1988-04-04. p. 36. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  14. ↑ "Today's Highlights". The Province. 1988-04-11. p. 34. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  15. 1 2 "DEGRASSI JUNIOR HIGH BACK AFTER PREEMPTIONS" (Press release). Canada: Playing With Time, Inc. 1988-03-21.
  16. ↑ Hood, Kit; Schuyler, Linda; Yan Moore; Mackey, Clarke; Jacobson, Avrum; Oughton, John; Playing with Time Inc; Canadian Broadcasting Corporation; Telefilm Canada (2005). Degrassi Junior High. Season 2 Season 2. Boston: WGBH Video : WGBH Educational Foundation. ISBN   978-1-59375-305-4. OCLC   60565946.
  17. ↑ Mackey, Clarke; Bertram, John, Degrassi Junior High: Season 2 , retrieved 2022-01-06
  18. ↑ DeGrassi Junior High. Season 2. Season 2., Australia: Force Entertainment [distributor], 2005, OCLC   224877499 , retrieved 2022-01-06

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.