Degrassi High

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Degrassi High
Degrassi High logo.png
Genre Teen drama
Created by
StarringSee cast here
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes28 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time30 minutes (including commercials)
Production company Playing With Time, Inc.
Original release
Network
ReleaseNovember 6, 1989 (1989-11-06) –
February 18, 1991 (1991-02-18)
Related

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 [1] 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.

Contents

Set in Toronto, it follows the lives of those who attend the fictional namesake school. As a continuation of Degrassi Junior High, the cast of the previous series reprise their roles, with the addition of several new characters. It addresses a variety of topics, ranging from mundane coming-of-age dilemmas to serious and controversial topics such as abortion, cancer, suicide and HIV/AIDS. It was filmed at the Story Arts Centre of Toronto's Centennial College, while scenes outside the school were shot around the Greater Toronto Area.

Like its predecessor, Degrassi High was met with critical acclaim for its portrayal of teenage life and social issues, with particular praise afforded to the series premiere, "A New Start", which portrayed abortion. A small controversy arose involving the episode when PBS removed a scene of anti-abortion protesters against the wishes of Hood and Schuyler. The show received six awards, including a Prix Jeunesse [2] and four Chris Awards, [3] and seven nominations, including for several actors.

The end of Degrassi High and its parent franchise at the time was attributed to several factors, including Kit Hood's exhaustion and disillusionment with television work, the loss of WGBH as a financial backer, its actors pursuing post-secondary education and careers, and both Hood and Schuyler's desire to end the series before it became stale and predictable. The series officially ended with the television movie School's Out (1992). With the exception of the documentary series Degrassi Talks , which was broadcast a month after School's Out, it was the final mainline Degrassi series until the franchise was revived with Degrassi: The Next Generation in 2001.

Cast

As a continuation of Degrassi Junior High, the series does not feature a definitive cast billing. Many principal, recurring, and minor cast members of the previous series reprise their roles, including:

Additions

Development

Promotional image of the cast of Degrassi High. Back row L-R: Siluck Saysanasy, Darrin Brown, Anais Granofsky, Stefan Brogren, and Amanda Stepto. Front row clockwise from left: Dayo Ade, Pat Mastroianni, Cathy Keenan, and Stacie Mistysyn. Degrassi High cast.jpg
Promotional image of the cast of Degrassi High. Back row L-R: Siluck Saysanasy, Darrin Brown, Anais Granofsky, Stefan Brogren, and Amanda Stepto. Front row clockwise from left: Dayo Ade, Pat Mastroianni, Cathy Keenan, and Stacie Mistysyn.

Concept and creation

Degrassi Junior High, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood, premiered on the CBC on 18 January 1987 and garnered widespread acclaim from critics for its realistic portrayal of teenage issues. It won several accolades, including an International Emmy Award in 1987, and four Gemini Awards in 1988. Schuyler mentioned the prospects of continuing the show with a high school setting on multiple occasions. In April 1988, Schuyler mentioned to the Toronto Star that while she was concentrated on the third season of Degrassi Junior High, a high school continuation was a "probability". [4] In November 1988, she told the Montreal Gazette that while the cast worked well together for a sequel to work, "the demographics for CBC favor staying with Junior High — so do we get an all-new cast? Or do I retire and go to tennis camp in the Caribbean?" [5] It was decided to continue with Degrassi High so that more serious and complex issues could be dealt with, including abortion, which was addressed in the series premiere. [6] [7] According to Schuyler: "As the kids get older, the only way we can remain true to this age group is by growing with them. Therefore, the issues get more complex." [8]

On 10 January 1989, Greg Quill of the Toronto Star reported that a spokesman for the producers confirmed the development of Degrassi High, [9] but then subsequently reported on 27 February that no decision had been reportedly made about a sequel. [10] On 13 May 1989, Sid Adilman reported in the Toronto Star that filming for Degrassi High would begin soon. [11] In the series finale of Degrassi Junior High, the titular school is destroyed in a fire. [8] To keep the entire cast together, a creative decision was made to move the younger students displaced by the fire to the new school to join those that had already graduated. [12] Conversely, the grade 7 students introduced in the third season of Degrassi Junior High were accelerated to grade 9 for an unspecified reason. [13] To give the series a "harder-edged feel", several older characters were introduced. [12] Reflecting the growing independence of the aging characters, Degrassi High began to give more focus to the characters' lives outside of school, with scenes taking place at nighttime, on the street, or at the characters' jobs. [14] In contrast to Degrassi Junior High, in which the extras were still made known to the viewers, the newer series would include a team of "extra extras", who would simply appear for no other purpose than to fill the background. [14]

The Centennial College Story Arts Centre, where Degrassi High was filmed, pictured in 2022. Centennial College - Story Arts Centre.jpg
The Centennial College Story Arts Centre, where Degrassi High was filmed, pictured in 2022.

Filming

Filming for Degrassi High started in May 1989, [11] and ended in October 1990. [15] The series was filmed at the Story Arts Centre of Centennial College, located on Toronto's Carlaw Avenue. Formerly a teacher's college, the building was previously used to hold auditions for Ida Makes a Movie , the first episode of The Kids of Degrassi Street and the first installment of the Degrassi franchise, in 1979. [16] The building was chosen as despite being part of a college, it more closely resembled a high school. [14] Other filming locations included the Rose Donut Shop on Carlaw Avenue, where character Michelle Accette briefly works after moving away from her conservative father. [17]

Opening sequence

The Degrassi High theme song, composed by Lewis Manne and Wendy Watson and sung by Watson. is a reworking of the Degrassi Junior High theme song, this time transposed to a different key. It follows the same format as its predecessor, with various scenes of characters in and around the school, omitting individual cast credits. The opening sequence ends with a zooming shot of a girl's backside as the logo is displayed. [18]

The opening sequence contains scenes not included in the final cut, such as a shot of Arthur Kobalewscuy reacting to peanut butter smeared all over his bike; Kit Hood later said the scene and plotline surrounding it did not make the cut as the actor had grown too much to be a believable bullying victim. [19]

Sets and design

According to Kathryn Ellis, "A Degrassi character's bedroom is the most telling set for that character". [20] The bedroom of character Lucy Fernandez was made from drywall and located in the school library, with her bed being the same used in other character's bedrooms. [20] The childhood bedroom of character Liz O'Rourke, seen in a dream sequence in an episode where the character struggles with memories of her childhood sexual abuse, was made to look "larger than life" to make the young Liz seem extremely small, with the walls being painted blue for a "cool, almost cold atmosphere". [21] For the bedroom of character Arthur Kobalewscuy, various items from the previous series were re-used, as well as rock posters of the fictional group Gourmet Scum, to indicate that the character was maturing in his tastes. [21]

End of the series

Despite its continued critical and commercial acclaim, multiple factors contributed to the end of Degrassi in 1991. Kit Hood had become exhausted and frustrated by television work, having reluctantly agreed to the second season of Degrassi High "to please the network and fans", [22] and the partnership between Hood and Schuyler, both creatively and personally, was deteriorating. Schuyler detailed in her memoir The Mother Of All Degrassi that Hood was becoming increasingly temperamental towards the end of production; when learning of the second season renewal, he accused Schuyler of manipulating him and head writer Yan Moore into doing "a year's work that we don't want to do". [23] Compounding this was WGBH's difficulty procuring funding from the PBS's children's department due to the aging cast, and consequently being forced to withdraw from the show. [24]

In spite of these mounting issues, both Hood and Schuyler felt the series had run its course and wanted it to end before it became stale and predictable. In a 1990 news interview, Schuyler explained that they wanted to end the series "while we were still feeling good about what we were doing", and that if they were to continue the series, they would have to "completely re-vamp it" and "bring in a new set of characters", something they did not want to do. [25] Schuyler noted that most of the cast were occupied with post-secondary education, and that she felt the show had already tackled what they had aimed to. [25] In a 1998 web interview with fan site owner Natalie Earl, Hood elaborated: [22]

The kids were getting older and we had covered every conceivable topic. The most prominent characters were graduating and we didn't feel comfortable with introducing a new class. We could have used Joey, as it was established that he had flunked a grade, (we could have kept on flunking him, I guess,,) but what were we supposed to with the other actors? What was the point, other than to drag out the show? The show had run its course. We wanted to get out while it was still hot. We didn't want to reach the point where the viewers could predict that show's formula and outcomes.

Schuyler informed CBC programming chief Ivan Fecan that they would not be able to produce any more of Degrassi High. Fecan enthusiastically accepted Schuyler's proposal to end the series with a feature-length film. [24]

Episodes

Season 1 (1989–1990)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
11"A New Start: Part 1"Kit HoodYan MooreNovember 6, 1989 (1989-11-06)101
22"A New Start: Part 2"Kit HoodYan MooreNovember 6, 1989 (1989-11-06)102
33"Breaking Up Is Hard to Do"Kit HoodSusin NielsenNovember 13, 1989 (1989-11-13)103
44"Dream On"John BertramYan MooreNovember 20, 1989 (1989-11-20)104
55"Everybody Wants Something"Kit HoodYan MooreNovember 27, 1989 (1989-11-27)105
66"Nobody's Perfect"Eleanor LindoSusin NielsenDecember 5, 1989 (1989-12-05)106
77"Just Friends"Kit HoodKathryn EllisDecember 12, 1989 (1989-12-12)107
88"Little White Lies"John BertramSusin NielsenDecember 19, 1989 (1989-12-19)108
99"Sixteen: Part 1"Kit HoodYan MooreJanuary 9, 1990 (1990-01-09)109
1010"Sixteen: Part 2"Kit HoodYan MooreJanuary 9, 1990 (1990-01-09)110
1111"All in a Good Cause"Eleanore LindoSusin NielsenJanuary 16, 1990 (1990-01-16)111
1212"Natural Attraction"Kit HoodYan MooreJanuary 23, 1990 (1990-01-23)112
1313"Testing One, Two, Three.."John BertramSusin NielsenJanuary 30, 1990 (1990-01-30)113
1414"It Creeps!!"Kit HoodYan MooreFebruary 6, 1990 (1990-02-06)114
1515"Stressed Out"John BertramYan MooreFebruary 13, 1990 (1990-02-13)115

Season 2 (1990–1991)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
161"Bad Blood: Part 1"Kit HoodYan MooreNovember 5, 1990 (1990-11-05) [26] 201
172"Bad Blood: Part 2"Kit HoodYan MooreNovember 12, 1990 (1990-11-12) [27] 202
183"Loyalties"John BertramSusin NielsenNovember 19, 1990 (1990-11-19) [28] 203
194"A Tangled Web"Kit HoodYan MooreNovember 26, 1990 (1990-11-26) [29] 204
205"Body Politics"Phillip EarnshawSusin NielsenDecember 3, 1990 (1990-12-03) [30] 205
216"Crossed Wires"Kit HoodYan MooreDecember 10, 1990 (1990-12-10) [31] 206
227"The All-Nighter"Eleanore LindoKathryn EllisJanuary 7, 1991 (1991-01-07) [32] 207
238"Home Sweet Home"Kit HoodSusin NielsenJanuary 14, 1991 (1991-01-14) [33] 208
249"Extracurricular Activities"John BertramYan MooreJanuary 21, 1991 (1991-01-21) [34] 209
2510"Showtime: Part 1"Kit HoodYan MooreJanuary 28, 1991 (1991-01-28) [35] 210
2611"Showtime: Part 2"Kit HoodYan MooreFebruary 4, 1991 (1991-02-04) [36] 211
2712"Three's a Crowd"Phillip EarnshawSusin NielsenFebruary 11, 1991 (1991-02-11) [37] 212
2813"One Last Dance"Kit HoodYan MooreFebruary 18, 1991 (1991-02-18) [38] 213

Release

First-run broadcast

Degrassi High premiered on November 6, 1989, on CBC with the two-part episode "A New Start", a week following the documentary Degrassi Between Takes . [39] In the United States, the series debuted on January 14, 1990, on PBS. [40] In Australia, it debuted on ABC TV on September 2, 1990. [41] On the ABC, broadcasts of the series were preceded with a disclaimer that read: "Viewer Advice: The following episode of Degrassi High contains themes appropriate to a teenage audience. Some parents may consider it inappropriate for younger children". [42] Re-runs aired on ABC-TV until 1995. [43]

Post-broadcast distribution

The series continued in re-runs on CBC during the late 1990s. On September 1, 1997, the series debuted on Showcase, where it aired back-to-back with Degrassi Junior High. [44]

Home media and streaming

The series was released on VHS by WGBH-TV Boston Home Video [45] in the United States on March 7, 2000, both as separate tapes containing two episodes each and a full box set. [46] [47] It was later released as part of the Degrassi High: The Complete Collection DVD box set by WGBH on October 9, 2007, [48] and the Degrassi High Collection set by Force Entertainment in Australia on March 12, 2008. [49] [50]

In July 2023, Degrassi High and School's Out were made available on Amazon Prime Video in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. [51]

SeasonSet details DVD release datesSpecial features
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
Degrassi High: The Complete Series
  • Discs: 4
  • Episodes: 29
  • 1.33:1 aspect ratio
October 9, 2007 [52]

December 13, 2016 [53]

Region 1:
  • Pop Quiz! - Degrassi High trivia
  • Degrassi High wallpaper
  • Printable materials for educators
  • Printable cast interviews
Degrassi High Collection
  • Discs: 5 (includes School's Out on separate disc)
  • Episodes: 29
  • 1.33:1 aspect ratio
March 12, 2008N/A

Reception and impact

Critical reception

As with Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High was largely acclaimed by critics for many of the same reasons as the previous series. The premiere episode, "A New Start". which centres on a student becoming pregnant and deciding to have an abortion, was a particular point of praise; writing for the Toronto Star , Antonia Zerbisias acclaimed the episode and called it "a gutsy show, particularly in the light of the current political and emotional climate [of the 1980s]", and singled out the even-handed portrayal of abortion and the polarisation surrounding the topic. Furthermore, she quipped that if the show was an American prime time show, "the whole thing would turn out to be a hilarious mix-up. We'd have lots of eye-rolling, sophomoric one-liners about burgeoning bellies and then ooops! Turns out the smart alec kid brother merely murdered the bunny for a school science project." [54] Writing for The Province , Lee Bacchus had mixed feelings about the debut. While feeling the show continued its predecessor's realism, Bacchus felt that it simplified the issue to "the bumper-sticker level of righteous moralism" and "lofty platitudes". [55]

Overall reviews of the series were similarly positive. Writing for The Age , Margaret Geddes declared that the series gave Australian soap operas such as Neighbours and Home and Away "a run for their money", but unlike the "trite morality plays" she felt were pervasive in those shows, Degrassi High was more realistic and thoughtful. Furthermore, she noted a comparison between the series and the British series Grange Hill . [41] Writing for The Los Angeles Times , Lynne Heffley declared that Degrassi High had proved itself to be one of the most "gutsiest shows on television". [56] Profiling the show in the lead-up to the debut of its final season, Kelli Pryor of Entertainment Weekly wrote: "In a television landscape where the high jinks of characters like the Fox network’s Parker Lewis often define high school life, Degrassi stands out as the thirtysomething of the book-bag set." [15]

Censorship

The series premiere was shown uncensored on CBC. In the United States, scenes of anti-abortion protesters were removed by PBS. Kate Taylor, co-producer of the series and of WGBH Educational Foundation, defended this as an "[a]esthetic decision" that made for a "more powerful, more poignant" ending. [57] This was done without the permission of Playing With Time, the show's production company, with Kit Hood denouncing it as "an American ending -- happy, safe but incomplete" and requesting his name be removed from the PBS broadcast credits. [58] [59] Likewise, when the series re-ran on Noggin's teen block The N in 2005, "A New Start" was omitted, [60] as well as the third episode "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do", as it referenced the events of "A New Start". [61] When the episode "It Creeps!", which centres around several students shooting a horror movie in the school, aired on ABC-TV in Australia in 1991, various scenes depicting graphic violence were removed. When the episode was shown again unedited on ABC2 on March 28, 2009, two viewers complained. [42] [62]

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. The series centers around a new ensemble cast of students at the fictional Degrassi Community School who face challenges such as sex, teen pregnancy, bullying, date rape, drug abuse, body image, homosexuality, domestic violence, gang violence, self-injury, suicide, abortion, mental disorders and many other issues. Various characters from the previous two series also returned as adults in recurring or guest roles.

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

Degrassi is a Canadian teen drama television franchise created by Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler. Spanning five main series from 1979 to 2017, it follows the lives of youths in Toronto. With the exception of the first series, the franchise takes place in the same fictional timeline, with the titular school as the central setting. Outside of television, the franchise comprises 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 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.

<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">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">Derek Wheeler</span> Fictional character from the Degrassi franchise

Derek Wheeler is a fictional character from the Degrassi teen drama franchise. He was portrayed by Neil Hope. He appears throughout Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High, with two cameo appearances in Degrassi: The Next Generation. His role throughout the former two series primarily concerns his friendship with Joey Jeremiah and Archie "Snake" Simpson, and later the death of his adoptive parents in a traffic collision with a drunk driver. Throughout the series, he plays with Joey and Snake in a band called The Zit Remedy, who are always seen performing one song.

<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.

"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.

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</i> (season 1) 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.

<i>Degrassi Junior High</i> (season 2) Season of television series

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.

"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. ↑ Riches, Hester (February 15, 1991). "Bidding adieu to Degrassi". The Vancouver Sun. p. 156. Retrieved October 5, 2022. So even though the weekly half-hour series ends its regular run Monday on CBC, a Degrassi TV movie is in the works.
  2. ↑ "Kudos for Degrassi High". The Globe and Mail. June 6, 1992. pp. C5.
  3. ↑ Polger, Mark Aaron (2005). "Degrassi Online - Awards". Degrassi Online. Archived from the original on January 8, 2008. Retrieved December 7, 2007.
  4. ↑ Bawden, Jim (April 20, 1988). "Degrassi's kids solve problem of junior high". The Toronto Star. p. 21. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  5. ↑ Wesley, David (November 5, 1988). "Degrassi doors re-open". The Gazette. p. 156. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  6. ↑ Sontag, Sharon (November 3, 1989). "Degrassi High moving on to meatier issues". Calgary Herald. p. 35. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  7. ↑ Dunphy, Catherine (November 4, 1989). "Dilemma At DeGrassi". The Toronto Star . Archived from the original on October 24, 2005.
  8. 1 2 Nicholls, Stephen (November 6, 1989). "Abortion: Degrassi takes on explosive topic". The Ottawa Citizen. The Canadian Press. p. 33. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  9. ↑ Bawden, Jim (January 10, 1989). "The Degrassi kids are graduating". The Toronto Star. p. 14. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  10. ↑ Quill, Greg (February 27, 1989). "Is Degrassi Jr. High gone forever?". The Toronto Star. p. 33. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  11. 1 2 Adilman, Sid (May 13, 1989). "CBC's share of audience grows while CTV's shrinks". The Toronto Star. p. 165. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  12. 1 2 Kennedy, Janice (June 17, 1989). "New school year has already started for the kids of Degrassi High School". The Gazette. p. 175. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  13. ↑ Ellis 2005 , pp. 167
  14. 1 2 3 Barss, Karen (1990). "What's New at Degrassi". Degrassi High Newspaper. WGBH. p. 3. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  15. 1 2 Pryor, Kelli (April 12, 1991). "Degrassi High". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  16. ↑ Ellis 2005 , pp. 111
  17. ↑ Ellis 2005 , pp. 110
  18. ↑ Kelley, Shamus (September 3, 2019). "The Evolution of Degrassi Opening Themes". Den of Geek. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Kit Hood Interview July 1998". October 15, 2007. Archived from the original on October 15, 2007. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  20. 1 2 Ellis 2005 , pp. 118
  21. 1 2 Ellis 2005 , pp. 119
  22. 1 2 Earl, Natalie (October 15, 2007). "Kit Hood Interview Part 2". Archived from the original on October 15, 2007. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  23. ↑ Schuyler 2022 , pp. 137
  24. 1 2 Schuyler 2022 , pp. 146
  25. 1 2 Nicholls, Stephen (November 1, 1990). "Degrassi crew to close books". The Windsor Star. Canadian Press. p. 16. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  26. ↑ Kennedy, Janice (November 3, 1990). "Degrassi High opens its doors for one more season of adventure". The Gazette. p. 139. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Monday November 12". The Ottawa Citizen. November 10, 1990. p. 149. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Monday (continued)". The Sun Times. November 16, 1990. p. 62. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  29. ↑ "TV Program Guide". Alberni Valley Times. November 23, 1990. p. 40. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Monday, December 3". The Gazette. December 1, 1990. p. 174. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Monday, December 10, 1990". Nanaimo Daily News. December 7, 1990. p. 36. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  32. ↑ "8:30". The Province. January 7, 1991. p. 37. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  33. ↑ "Monday, January 14". The Gazette. January 12, 1991. p. 136. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  34. ↑ Kennedy, Janice (January 19, 1991). "Final season is winding down for the kids of Degrassi High". The Gazette. p. 118. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  35. ↑ Janice, Kennedy (January 26, 1991). "Degrassi's look at teenage suicide restrained and sensitive". The Ottawa Citizen. p. 67. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  36. ↑ "8:30". The Province. February 4, 1991. p. 37. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  37. ↑ "8:30". The Province. February 11, 1991. p. 41. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  38. ↑ Riches, Hester (February 18, 1991). "Degrassi grads looking for meaningful work". The Vancouver Sun. p. 13. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  39. ↑ Riches, Hester (October 30, 1989). "Audiences eagerly await Degrassi kick-off". The Vancouver Sun. p. 20. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  40. ↑ Southgate, Martha (January 14, 1990). "'Degrassi High': Unflinching look at teens". The Des Moines Register. p. 124. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  41. 1 2 Geddes, Margaret (September 9, 1990). "'Degrassi' has real life touch". The Age. Archived from the original on October 18, 2007. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  42. 1 2 "Degrassi High". About the ABC. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  43. ↑ "E-mailer 'stalked soap star'". The Sydney Morning Herald. August 31, 1999. p. 4. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  44. ↑ "Award-Winning Degrassi Junior High And Degrassi High Come To Showcase Television" (Press release). Showcase. Archived from the original on September 14, 2007.
  45. ↑ "BY POPULAR DEMAND, WGBH BOSTON VIDEO RELEASES THE DEGRASSI JUNIOR HIGH AND DEGRASSI HIGH SERIES" (Press release). WGBH. April 5, 1999. Archived from the original on November 21, 2007.
  46. ↑ Earnshaw, Philip (March 7, 2000), Degrassi High: Loyalties/It Creeps! , retrieved June 2, 2021
  47. ↑ Earnshaw, Philip (March 7, 2000), Degrassi High Collection, PBS, retrieved June 2, 2021
  48. ↑ "Correct release date plus front & rear artwork". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on February 5, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2007.
  49. ↑ "Degrassi High Collection". Sanity. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  50. ↑ Degrassi High collection. Australia: Force [distributor]. 2008. OCLC   269593812.
  51. ↑ "WILDBRAIN EXPANDS OFFERING ON PRIME VIDEO WITH TRIO OF NEW INTERNATIONAL CONTENT DEALS". WildBrain. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  52. ↑ Degrassi High – The Complete Collection, PBS, October 9, 2007, retrieved May 28, 2021
  53. ↑ Degrassi High: Degrassi High Complete Series DVD, PBS Distribution, December 13, 2016, retrieved May 29, 2021
  54. ↑ Zerbisias, Antonia (November 5, 1989). "Degrassi High could give lessons". The Toronto Star . Archived from the original on October 24, 2005. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  55. ↑ Bacchus, Lee (November 6, 1989). "Kids too young to call this". The Province. p. 35. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  56. ↑ Heffley, Lynne (January 13, 1990). "TV Reviews : 'Degrassi High,' 'Wonderworks' Return to PBS". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  57. ↑ "Degrassi High edited by PBS". The Ottawa Citizen. November 4, 1989. p. 37. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  58. ↑ Pai, Tanya (January 25, 2016). "Degrassi, the Canadian teen soap that gave us Drake, explained". Vox. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  59. ↑ Haslett Cuff, John (November 3, 1989). "Degrassi High creators up in arms over PBS cuts to abortion episode". The Globe And Mail .
  60. ↑ "A New Start (2)". TV.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved October 12, 2005.
  61. ↑ "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do". TV.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved October 12, 2005.
  62. ↑ "Degrassi High - It Creeps! - ABC2 Television Guide". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved June 2, 2021.

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