(click on the picture for a clip from the epiosode – photo credit The N)
It may be cold outside, but The N cranks up the heat this winter with new episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation and the season two premiere of Beyond the Break at 8:00 p.m. (ET) and 8:30 p.m. (ET), respectively. Explosive new episodes of Degrassi kick off the New Year when the hit teen series bids an emotional farewell to a popular character. Beyond the Break returns with the one-hour premiere kicking off 10 new original episodes. “The N kicks off 2007 with exciting new episodes and juicy storylines that our fans won’t want to miss,” said Sarah Tomassi Lindman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, The N. “Prepare for the unexpected because anything goes on Degrassi and the new season of Beyond The Break.” New episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation will include a guest appearance by famed rock band Taking Back Sunday, who play themselves in an upcoming episode premiering Friday, January 12. Bad boy Craig joins the band for a one night only gig but for this recent high school grad who has taken to “partying like a rock star,” he’ll find that his new drug habit may soon get in the way of his dream career and dream girl. Finally, Degrassi fans are in for the shock of their lives on Friday, January 26 as they prepare to say good bye to one of their most beloved characters when tragedy ensues on campus. Beyond the Break returns with David Chokachi as Justin Healey as he guides the all female surf team who battle the Hawaiian waves in the hopes of finally going pro. But for these four ladies – it’s their personal lives that need guidance. Birdie will contemplate walking down the aisle with Marcus even though that means leaving the beach and surf behind, Kai continues to spiral out of control as her drug habit takes hold and for the first time the team will break apart and compete against each other for an elite spot at the Fiji Open. But when one member is overlooked, she will walk away from WaveSync forever to join a competing surf league.
(click on the picture for a clip from the epiosode – photo credit The N)
I don’t care how old you are, these shows are great for any age! Whether you are wondering what High School will be like or you are trying to remember what it was like in a more positive way, these shows will help you do that! So tune in to The N on Fridays at 8p and go to High School in Hawaii and Canada!!!
Canuck teen skein "Degrassi: The Next Generation" has been sold into syndication Stateside. Anchored by Tribune Broadcasting, skein will launch in 60% of U.S. households in the fall of 2007. Other station groups that will be airing "Degrassi" are Belo, Clear Channel, Granite, Gray, Hubbard, Pegasus Groups and the CW PLUS stations. "Degrassi: The Next Generation" is a dramatic half-hour that tackles issues such as pregnancy and homosexuality frankly and in a non-patronizing manner. Now in its sixth season, "Degrassi: The Next Generation" first aired on CTV in 2001. Its storyline and some of the characters originated in "Degrassi Junior High," (1987) and "The Kids of Degrassi Street" (1982). Previously "Degrassi: The Next Generation" was available in the U.S. only on digital cabler N. The series has a huge and loyal international fan base, including director Kevin Smith ("Clerks"), who has guest-starred on the show. "Degrassi" airs in more than 150 countries.
For those of you who don’t have The N and missed the show, catch up on it on your local station! It is one of the best shows ever no matter how old you are!
Syndication company Program Partners has acquired the U.S. broadcast syndication rights to Canadian teen series "Degrassi: The Next Generation" to run as a strip beginning in fall 2007. The series, the latest edition in the 25-year-old "Degrassi" teen relationship franchise, has been enjoying a successful run on cable network The N. Program Partners is marketing Degrassi" as an outgrowth of its worldwide distribution agreement with Vancouver-based Thunderbird Films. "Degrassi" is produced by Epitome Pictures in Toronto. The series will "fill the void created by the declining availability of off-net half-hours," Program Partners said in a statement announcing the deal. "’Degrassi’ is lightning in a bottle," Josh Raphaelson, one of Program Partners’ founders, said in a statement. "The N has built a terrific franchise, and we’re excited to bring it to syndication."
Two years after it originally aired in Canada, but not here in the United States, Degrassi: The Next Generation’s Accidents Will Happen will finally be broadcast on The N on this Friday (8/18) at 10p est/7p pst. The two part episode that dealt with Manny finding out she is pregnant and then deciding to have an abortion was originally banned from being broadcast on The N’s air. This is a powerful episode that looks at all sides of abortion and Manny’s decision was not taken lightly. But being a teen network, I guess they were too afraid to air such a heavy subject. The N, who edits Degrassi, edited out all references of her pregnancy in future episodes.
This was not the first abortion episode in Degrassi’s history. The original one, Degrassi High’s A New Start aired on PBS in 1989. In fact when comparing both I think the Degrassi High one was much more intense and it aired earlier in the day. I suggest to you if you can find that episode online, watch it.
Degrassi one of the best shows on television ever just turned 25 years old. Twenty Five years of doing episodes on such important topics like abortion, rape, teen pregnancy, drugs, school shooting, eating disorders, homosexuality, suicide, teenage pregnany, cutting, drinking, dating, AIDS, loss of a parent and so much more. If you are parent of a kid over 11, watch this show with them and if you over 11 without kids just watch the show.
Now back to The N, I understand why they did not air episode and do not hold it against them. The N airs Degrassi and other shows that deal with real life issues that teens need to know. So they do take risks and it is nice to see them finally air this episode. So I ask you to show them that it is a good thing and watch The N on Friday at 10p est/7p pst!
