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Degrassi: The Next Generation season 8

Degrassi: The Next Generation season 8
FieldValue
season_number8
bg_color#0057AE
imageDTNG-Season 8.jpg
captionDegrassi: The Next Generation Season 8 DVD
showrunnerSara Snow
num_episodes22
networkCTV (Canada)
The N (United States)
first_aired
last_aired

The N (United States) 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 (18 episodes, and 1 movie). *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.

Season eight aired Sundays at 7:30 p.m. on CTV, a Canadian television network. Episodes were repeated on CTV's sister cable speciality network, MuchMusic, on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. In the United States, the season began on 10 October 2008 on The N, a cable channel spun off from Noggin's teen programming block of the same name. Unlike seasons six and seven, which premiered in the US, this season's premiere episode was broadcast in Canada first, with the second episode airing a week later; in the US, however, both episodes aired together as an hour-long special. As well as airing on television, the season's episodes were also streamed on the websites of CTV and The N, as well as iTunes.

Production for the season began in May 2008 at Epitome Pictures' studios in Toronto, Ontario, and were completed in late October 2008. The final episodes of the season were filmed in part in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, Beverly Hills, Venice Beach and Malibu and were written and directed by Stefan Brogren, who plays Archie "Snake" Simpson.

This is also the final season to feature (Drake) playing Jimmy Brooks, due to him wanting to focus on his music career.

Cast

Some of the cast of ''[[Degrassi: The Next Generation]]'' at the ''[[eTalk]]'' Festival Party, during the [[Toronto International Film Festival

The eighth season features twenty-four actors who receive star billing, with eleven of them returning from the previous season. Joining the main cast are Evan Williams (Kelly), Judy Jiao (Leia), Jajube Mandiela (Chantay), Samantha Munro (Anya), A.J. Saudin (Connor), Sam Earle (K.C.), Aislinn Paul (Clare), Melinda Shankar (Alli), Raymond Ablack (Sav), Natty Zavitz (Bruce the Moose), Scott Paterson (Johnny), Jordan Hudyma (Blue) and Argiris Karras (Riley), replacing Aubrey Graham (Jimmy), Stacey Farber (Ellie), Lauren Collins (Paige), Shenae Grimes (Darcy), Mike Lobel (Jay), Mazin Elsadig (Damian), Amanda Stepto (Spike), Melissa DiMarco (Hatzilakos) and Adamo Ruggiero (Marco).

Main cast

  • Jamie Johnston as Peter Stone (18 episodes)
  • Sarah Barrable-Tishauer as Liberty Van Zandt (6 episodes)
  • Miriam McDonald as Emma Nelson (10 episodes)
  • Cassie Steele as Manuela "Manny" Santos (10 episodes)
  • Evan Williams as Kelly Ashoona (10 episodes)
  • Judy Jiao as Leia Chang (8 episodes)
  • Marc Donato as Derek Haig (10 episodes)
  • Jajube Mandiela as Chantay Black (12 episodes)
  • Samantha Munro as Anya MacPherson (17 episodes)
  • A.J. Saudin as Connor DeLaurier (10 episodes)
  • Sam Earle as K.C. Guthrie (9 episodes)
  • Aislinn Paul as Clare Edwards (12 episodes)
  • Melinda Shankar as Alli Bhandari (15 episodes)
  • Dalmar Abuzeid as Danny Van Zandt (20 episodes)
  • Raymond Ablack as Savtaj "Sav" Bhandari (19 episodes)
  • Shane Kippel as Gavin "Spinner" Mason (13 episodes)
  • Nina Dobrev as Mia Jones (19 episodes)
  • Charlotte Arnold as Holly J. Sinclair (16 episodes)
  • Natty Zavitz as Bruce the Moose (12 episodes)
  • Scott Paterson as Johnny DiMarco (7 episodes)
  • Stefan Brogren as Archie "Snake" Simpson (11 episodes)
  • Jordan Hudyma as Blue Chessex (6 episodes)
  • Argiris Karras as Riley Stavros (8 episodes)
  • Paula Brancati as Jane Vaughn (10 episodes)

''Degrassi Goes Hollywood''

The following are credited with the main cast in the special's original two-hour broadcast:

  • Lauren Collins as Paige Michalchuk (4 episodes)
  • Jake Epstein as Craig Manning (3 episodes)
  • Stacey Farber as Ellie Nash (4 episodes)
  • Mike Lobel as Jay Hogart (8 episodes)
  • Adamo Ruggiero as Marco Del Rossi (4 episodes)

Recurring cast

Former series regulars who appear this season in recurring or guest roles include:

  • Shenae Grimes as Darcy Edwards (3 episodes)
  • Amanda Stepto as Christine "Spike" Nelson (2 episodes)
  • Melissa DiMarco as Daphne Hatzilakos (1 episode)
  • Aubrey Graham as Jimmy Brooks (1 episode)
  • Jake Goldsbie as Toby Isaacs (1 episode)

Kevin Jubinville appears in a recurring role as Principal "Shep" Shepard. Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith return as themselves in the special Degrassi Goes Hollywood, along with other celebrity cameos from Kelly Carlson, Vivica A. Fox, Pete Wentz, Cassadee Pope, Tim Rozon and Perez Hilton.

Crew

Season eight was produced by Epitome Pictures in association with CTV. Funding was provided by The Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit and the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit, the Canadian Television Fund and BCE-CTV Benefits, The Shaw Television Broadcast Fund, the Independent Production Fund, Mountain Cable Program, and RBC Royal Bank.

Linda Schuyler, co-creator of the Degrassi franchise and CEO of Epitome Pictures, served as an executive producer with her husband, and President of Epitome Pictures, Stephen Stohn. Sara Snow is also credited as an executive producer. David Lowe was the producer, and Stephanie Cohen the supervising producer. As well as playing Snake Simpson, Stephen Brogren also served as the creative producer, and, for the first time, directed episodes, after previously writing, producing, and directing the exclusive online series Degrassi Minis. The casting director was Stephanie Gorin, and the editor was D. Gillian Truster.

The executive story editor was Sarah Glinski, and Matt Heuther the story editor. The script supervisor was Nancy Markle. Episode writers for the season are Duana Taha and Brendon Yorke. The director of photography was Jim Westenbrink, and the director was Phil Earnshaw.

Also this season is another "Halloween special", titled The Curse of Degrassi, which CTV aired on 26 October 2008 and The N aired it 28 October 2008. This time it deals with the anniversary of Rick Murray's death and his haunting former classmates.

Reception

The season premiere was watched by 398,000 Canadian viewers, a figure almost 200,000 fewer than season seven's premiere of 585,000 viewers. When reporting on the figures in his blog, Bill Brioux, the television columnist for The Canadian Press, was surprised that Degrassi: The Next Generation had reached its eighth season with such poor ratings, asking "What other show in the history of Canadian or American television has so consistently drawn so few viewers yet gets renewed year after year?" Viewing figures continued to drop when an average of 220,000 viewers watched the second and sixth episodes; the lowest figures Degrassi: The Next Generation has ever received. That number was even lower for episode eleven, when overnight ratings showed it received 139,000 viewers. The overall number of viewers rose slightly for the thirteenth episode, the first of a two-parter, when it was watched by 157,000 people, but the viewing figures for the key 18–34 demographics was at a low of 81,000. The following week, the episode that concluded the two-parter picked up viewers, reaching an estimated total of 206,000. Brioux commented again about Degrassi: The Next Generation still being on the schedules, wondering when CTV was going to announce its cancellation and noting that The Amazing Race, which follows it in the scheduling, was watched by ten times the number of Degrassis viewers. That pattern was repeated the following week, when Degrassi: The Next Generation was watched by 222,000 viewers, compared to 1,834,000 viewers for The Amazing Race, 1,579,000 viewers for Desperate Housewives and 1,106,000 viewers for The Mentalist, which were broadcast later in the evening.

Despite the low viewing figures, the season was still a critical hit. The influx of new actors and characters was described as being "fresh", a "chance to bring new energy into the show", and "stir up the school right from its very heart", although original cast member Aubrey Graham criticised the producers and the way it happened. "One day we came in and all the names were just changed on the dressing rooms. Everyone got cut. We go upstairs and it's like, 'Who are all these people auditioning in the front?' They owe us a lot of money. The amount of loyalty, the years we put in with these people... they did us foul. As far as the producers go, I don't talk to anybody over there." Writing about specific new actors, Dani Ng-See-Quan of andPop praised Charlotte Arnold for being able to study a full-time journalism course at Ryerson University and to act full-time in a television series at the same time. Ryerson University's on-campus newspaper, The Eyeopener also praised Arnold for this achievement, as well as fellow cast members and students Raymond Ablack, Nina Dobrev and Evan Williams. Calgary Herald and National Post writer Michael Morrison said Paula Brancati "has become my favorite Canadian actress", admiring her ability to play two different characters on two different series – Jane Vaughn on Degrassi: The Next Generation and Jenny on Being Erica – with an age difference of about thirteen years, and in playing Jane, a character who is the victim of child molestation "[it] is never an easy thing for an actor to portray, but Brancati does it convincingly." This season also promoted awareness in Asperger syndrome; A.J. Saudin's character Connor is a sufferer. Melinda Shankar's portrayal of a first-generation Canadian whose family comes from India was acknowledged, as her character struggles to deal with the culture clash of acting, dressing and dating who she likes, against her conservative parents' wishes. At AfterElton.com, a magazine a website that focuses on the portrayal of bisexual and homosexual men in the media, was critical that the sexuality of new character Riley, played by Argiris Karras, has so far been through the eyes of Peter Stone, Riley's unrequited love interest, and that the storyline served only to advance Peter's character. There was praise, however, that Riley is a departure from previous gay characters Marco Del Rossi, Alex Nuñez, and Dylan and Paige Michalchuck, in that he is confused about his sexuality, and unlike sweet and sensitive Marco, Riley is an alpha male jock who is very much in denial about himself. Jamaican-Canadian screenwriter Annmarie Morais said of the Canadian television industry that Degrassi: The Next Generation is a prime example of a Canadian television series that has garnered international acclaim while maintaining a strong and realistic portrayal of life in Canada. "While in the States, I work with a lot of teenagers and pre-teens, and every one of them knows about Degrassi. Now, that show doesn't have an O.C. formula or Beverly Hills 90210 formula; it's unique and it has a Canadian voice. Shows like Degrassi prove that we can develop shows that have strength across the border."

Linda Schuyler was honoured with the Female Eye Maverick Award at the annual Female Eye Film Festival held in Toronto in March 2009. Leslie Ann Coles, director of the festival, said Schuyler is "one of the most successful, innovative and progressive women" in the TV industry. At the 2009 Young Artist Awards, Jamie Johnson was nominated as a Leading Young Actor in the Best Performance in a TV Comedy or Drama Series.

The Degrassi Goes Hollywood Movie premiered in the US on The N 14 August 2009, before it premiered in Canada on 30 August 2009. The show garnered the highest rating in The N's history, attracting nearly one million viewers.

Episodes

This season had no hour long specials. However a two-hour movie aired as the season finale, which was four episodes combined, called Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood. The TV movie follows the students during the winter break of the school year.

This list is by order of production, as they appear on the DVD, which is also the order they originally aired. Note: This episode marks the first appearance of Melinda Shankar as Alli Bhandari.

Note: This episode marks the final appearance of Shenae Grimes as Darcy Edwards.

Note: This episode marks the final appearance of Drake as Jimmy Brooks.

Note: This episode marks the final appearance of Jake Goldsbie as Toby Isaacs.

Note: This episode marks the final appearance of Marc Donato as Derek Haig.

Note: This movie marks the final appearance of Stacey Farber as Ellie Nash. Aired as a two-hour film, and airs as "Paradise City" in half-hour syndication. Although, it aired as a film, it served as the season finale.

Special Guest Stars: Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Perez Hilton, Vivica A. Fox, Kelly Carlson, Pete Wentz, and Cassadee Pope.

DVD release

The DVD release of season eight was released online and in select stores by Echo Bridge Home Entertainment in the US on 1 September 2009, this is the second season not to be released by Alliance Atlantis Home Entertainment in Canada, or by FUNimation Entertainment in the US. As well as every episode from the season, the DVD release features the Degrassi Goes Hollywood movie and is packed with bonus material including deleted scenes, bloopers and behind-the-scenes featurettes.

1 September 2009

References

References

  1. (2008-09-18). "Premiere episode". CTV.ca.
  2. Demara, Bruce. (2008-10-05). "DeGrassi enrols a new class". [[Toronto Star]].
  3. Dowling, Amber. (2008-08-18). "'Degrassi: The Next Generation' returns". [[TV Guide.
  4. "Degrassi". [[The N]].
  5. (2008-09-12). "In Production". Ontario Media Development Corporation.
  6. (2008-09-29). "New season begins October 5 on CTV". [[CTV Television Network]].
  7. Stewart, Chelsea. (2020-10-25). "'Degrassi': Why Drake Got Kicked Off of the Show".
  8. (2005-02-07). "Kevin Smith lives out his Degrassi fantasy". CTV.
  9. (2008-09-25). "Get Ready As A New Class Of Degrassi Students Enroll On The New Season Of The N's Hit Teen Drama, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Friday, October 10, At 8:00 P.M. (ET)". [[PR Newswire]].
  10. (July 2021)
  11. Brioux, Bill. (6 October 2008). "Degrassi: The Lost Generation". TV Feeds My Family.
  12. Brioux, Bill. (January 2008). "The Degrassi Myth". TV Feeds My Family.
  13. Brioux, Bill. (14 October 2008). "Wheels Fall off Degrassi". TV Feeds My Family.
  14. Brioux, Bill. (19 November 2008). "Grace Park Behind Border Jump". TV Feeds My Family.
  15. Brioux, Bill. (9 February 2009). "Global's Grammy no Whammy". TV Feeds My Family.
  16. Brioux, Bill. (2 March 2009). "Trump Fires Up Canadian Numbers Game". TV Feeds My Family.
  17. Brioux, Bill. (10 March 2009). "CBC Throws in Designer Towel on Steven and Chris". TV Feeds My Family.
  18. Brioux, Bill. (17 March 2009). "Single Female Voter Wins in a Landslide". TV Feeds My Family.
  19. Angus, Kat. (3 October 2008). "Miriam McDonald on Growing Up Degrassi". [[Canwest]].
  20. Ng-See-Quan, Dani. (9 November 2008). "Charlotte Arnold: From Degrassi's Queen Bee to Confronting the Face of Poverty". andPOP.
  21. Garraud, Tracy. (25 February 2008). "Drake Day". [[Vibe (magazine).
  22. Lewis, Jessica. (4 November 2008). "Degrassi Gets Schooled". [[Ryerson University]].
  23. Morrison, Michael. (2 March 2009). "A Real Canadian Talent!". Mike's Bloggity Blog.
  24. Zeidman, Matthew B.. (28 February 2009). "'Degrassi' Tackles Asperger Syndrome". Hollywood Today.
  25. Gorman, Brian. (November 2008). "Clashing cultures a novelty for 'Degrassi' newcomer". [[Sun Media Corporation]].
  26. Masaki, Lyle. (11 November 2008). "IMHO: "Degrassi" episode 8.05, "The Man with Two Hearts"". [[Logo (TV channel).
  27. Sarpong, Jon. (13 November 2008). "Canadian television must increase diversity". [[Toronto Community News]].
  28. (25 February 2009). "Degrassi's Linda Schuyler to be feted with award".
  29. (24 February 2009). "'Degrassi' co-creator honoured with award". [[CTVglobemedia]].
  30. (2009). "30th Annual Young Artist Awards Nominations". [[Young Artist Awards]].
  31. (2009-08-18). "Degrassi Goes Hollywood Brings In The Ratings!". [[Perez Hilton]].
Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

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