Categories books linda schuyler reviews

Review: Linda Schuyler’s Memoir is a Must Read for Degrassi Fans

In the opening chapter of Linda Schuyler’s book The Mother of All Degrassi, she recalls how she was bullied as a child for being a British immigrant to Canada. She says she was told to “go back to where you came from,” and taunted with the phrase “Hey Brit girl. Yes, you, shit girl” by kids at school.

Given the fact that Degrassi has long been known for standing up against bullying and celebrating all forms of diversity, it is a poignant introduction to the woman who created the franchise we all know and love. Linda is quite literally the “mother” of Degrassi, and her new memoir peels back the curtain on some of her personal experiences that shaped this 40+ year old franchise.

I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy, and I can say with confidence that this book is a must-read for Degrassi fans, particularly those who are interested its decades-long history. Unlike Stephen Stohn’s memoir Whatever It Takes (which focused on his career as an entertainment lawyer beyond just Degrassi), Linda’s book is almost exclusively about Degrassi. She calls Degrassi her “life’s work and passion,” and that passion is evident on every page.

Continue reading Review: Linda Schuyler’s Memoir is a Must Read for Degrassi Fans

Categories degrassi talks reviews

Degrassi Talks Episode 9: Jesus, Etc Part 2

Degrassi Talks is a Degrassi fan podcast hosted by myself, Bianca from Degrassi Dish, and Ashley from Whatever It Takes. This week we’re reviewing “Jesus, Etc. Part 2” and giving our thoughts on the Fitz vs. Eli drama. We also discuss our likes/dislikes with the Jenna/KC storyline, the latest season 11 news, and declare our love for Scott Paterson & Ray Ablack. To listen to the podcast, you can download it right here! OR you can subscribe to us on iTunes!!

Episode 09: March 14, 2011

  • We’re so excited for season 11 news to start trickling in!
  • What happened at this ‘orienation’ last week?
  • New Riley spoilers! Erin explains “Riley’s ‘beard'” for those who don’t understand
  • Our thoughts on whether Eli is any better than Fitz
  • We all agree that it’s impossible to take Fitz’s love for Jesus seriously
  • Erin wonders if season 10 is going to end with a cliffhanger
  • Our extreme love for Sav & mostly positive thoughts on his storyline
  • Do KC and Jenna fully understand the seriousness of their situation?
  • We are super excited to see Johnny again next week!!

Download Now (34.1 MB)
Running time: 0:37:14
Right click the link, then select “Save Target As” to save to your computer.

Categories degrassi talks luke bilyk reviews season 10 season 11

Degrassi Talks Episode 7: The Way We Get By

Degrassi Talks is a brand new Degrassi podcast hosted by myself, Bianca from Degrassi Dish, and Ashley from Whatever It Takes. This week we’re reviewing last Friday’s brand new episode “The Way We Get By!” We also discuss the new season 11 characters, spin-off rumours, and Luke Bilyk’s rap career. To listen to the podcast, you can download it right here! OR you can subscribe to us on iTunes!!

Episode 07: March 3, 2011

  • Will there be too many new characters in season 11?
  • Degrassi spin-off rumours – will it ever happen?
  • Would any of the old cast want to come back to be in a spin-off?
  • Our thoughts on Luke Bilyk’s new rap song
  • How realistic was Drew’s drug storyline?
  • We’re still not loving Drew/Bianca yet
  • Was the Riley storyline too similar to Marco’s coming out storyline?
  • KC & Jenna need a major reality check
  • Fitz comes back this Friday!!

Download Now (33.4 MB)
Running time: 0:36:30
Right click the link, then select “Save Target As” to save to your computer.

Categories degrassi talks reviews season 10 season 11

Degrassi Talks Episode 6: When Love Takes Over

Degrassi Talks is a brand new Degrassi podcast hosted by myself, Bianca from Degrassi Dish, and Ashley from Whatever It Takes. This week we’re reviewing last Friday’s brand new episode “When Love Takes Over!” We also discuss the new season 11 character summaries, and preview this week’s episode. To listen to the podcast, you can download it right here! OR you can subscribe to us on iTunes!!

Episode 06: Feb. 14, 2011

  • We are super excited for the new season 11 characters!
  • Why are the new characters not in grade 9?
  • We all agree that “When Love Takes Over” was a good episode
  • Our favourite scenes/moments from the episode
  • How can Dr. Chris only be 25 years old?
  • Did Anya’s Mom do the right thing?
  • We all love Sadie so far!
  • Next week’s Drew/Bianca storyline
  • Will Zane & Riley get a main plot this year?

Download Now (37.5 MB)
Running time: 0:41:02
Right click the link, then select “Save Target As” to save to your computer.

Categories reviews season 9

Review: Season 9 is “just flat-out awful”

I don’t know what it was about the high school drama “Degrassi: The Next Generation” that reeled me in. Maybe it was the insane story lines, maybe it was J.T. Yorke’s cracks about bacon-flavored condoms, or maybe it was the funny way Canadians say “sorry.”
Something about it was just addicting. Before I knew it, I owned DVD box sets and had seen every episode.
However, the past few seasons have been pretty weak with the original kids going off to college and the introduction of a new high school class.
The latest season, nine, is just flat-out awful.

Read more?

Do you agree with this review? Keep in mind it’s from a random student-run university publication.

Categories reviews

Degrassi: One of the Most Influential Series of the 2000s

A new article from CBC lists Degrassi among the top 10 most important TV series of the past decade. Other shows included on the list are Lost, The Office, Mad Men, and The Sopranos. On Degrassi, the article states:

“Yeah, it’s soapy and frequently corny, but this teen angst-fest has become one of the most successful domestic television shows Canada has seen to date. Though the nouveau version adheres to the template established by its Degrassi predecessors — clunky performances and After School Special plotlines abound — it has received critical accolades and is the highest-rated show on the American Teen Nick network. Degrassi: TNG addresses meaty issues (like abortion, homosexuality and healthy adolescent sexuality) that many kid-oriented shows would sooner gloss over. Judging from the fervour with which fans have responded to the show — its fresh-faced stars are swarmed when they visit malls in the U.S. — Degrassi’s non-pandering tone has struck a chord with teens. And of course, the series had a hand in launching Canada’s most viable rap star, Drake (a.k.a. Aubrey Graham), who once played wheelchair-bound sweetheart Jimmy Brooks.”
Check out the full article here.

Categories reviews season 9 tv schedule

Charlotte Reviews “Beat It”

Charlotte Arnold wrote a great article for TV Guide about the much anticipated upcoming 2 part episode “Beat It.” In the article Charlotte connects the two main storylines of the episode (Riley’s struggles with his sexuality and Anya’s newfound hobby LARPing) to the theme of self acceptance. “So the moral of this story is let’s just all learn to love ourselves no matter how gay or LARPy we are, shall we?” Charlotte writes. Read the full article right here! It contains a few minor spoilers.

Much Music still has “Beat It” listed in their online schedule for tomorrow night. So if you are Canadian, you might want to turn on your TV tomorrow at 8pm ET just in case.

Categories degrassi goes hollywood reviews

Degrassi Goes Hollywood Review: NY Daily News

Another Degrassi Goes Hollywood review – this one comes from David Hinckley of the NY Daily News. He writes that Degrassi Goes Hollywood is a “welcome, upbeat reward for Manny and a bunch of kids who have dealt with some fairly intense teenage and young-adult dramas over the last few years,” but also notes that “the problem isn’t Craig and Ellie, though. It’s too much Craig and Ellie.” I guess we’ll find out for ourselves when we watch the TONIGHT! Read this full review right here.

Categories degrassi goes hollywood reviews

Another Degrassi Goes Hollywood Review

Another Degrassi Goes Hollywood review has surfaced. This one comes from the Boston Herald, and it’s not very good. The author notes that Degrassi has “earned the praise of critics and fans for its handling of such sensitive topics as date rape, HIV/AIDS and drug abuse” but is critical of the obsession with celebrity culture in Degrassi Goes Hollywood. “Degrassi’s trademark turmoil-filled story lines are overshadowed by a running commentary on Hollywood’s vapid celebrity culture,” she writes. Click here to read the full review. It contains a few minor spoilers.

Categories degrassi goes hollywood reviews

First Degrassi Goes Hollywood Review

There’s only 3 days left until the American premiere of Degrassi Goes Hollywood and the reviews are starting to come in! This one comes from the California Chronicle. The author gives DGH two and a half stars and says that DGH is “fun, engaging, dumb, and sometimes dumber.” She also adds (and this is my personal favourite) that “you’d have to be in the Taliban to hate “Degrassi.” So true! Read the full review right here.

Categories reviews

Degrassi Wins Over Critic

If you’ve been reading this site for the past year or so, you’ll know that I get a lot of information about CTV’s Degrassi ratings from this blog written by Toronto TV critic Bill Brioux. Usually, not only does he indicate the kind of numbers Degrassi got for its latest episode, but he also repeatedly states that he thinks that Degrassi should be cancelled, that it sucks, that CTV is stupid for keeping it on the air, etc.

But Degrassi has worked its magic once again. In a new entry he describes his visit to the Degrassi set and a newfound appreciation for our favourite show! He says that the set is “comparable to the kinds of major studio back lot exteriors that are all but paved over in Burbank and Hollywood” and that he’s never seen “a cast, crew and especially production executives make young guests feel so welcome.” Check out some pictures and read his full set report right here!