The Sault Star posted this new interview with Degrassi writer and executive producer Brendon Yorke. Brendon has been around Degrassi for a long time (JT Yorke was named after him). He is now the head writer on Degrassi, so naturally he had a lot to say about the success and controversy of the show.
In the interview, Brendon discusses how Degrassi is relatable, with real stories that everyone experiences. He says that while not everyone has directly been involved with many of these issues, they have at least heard of them happening. He talks about how social media has changed the high school landscape, but maintains that high school is essentially high school, whatever the era.
“That’s another reason why a show like this sort of resonates, because everyone was in high school at some point,” Yorke said.
“On a human level, the stuff that people are going through in high school now is the same as it’s been since it was such a thing called high school 100 years ago or whatever … or at least since it was co-ed.
“There’s all the different pressures and different technologies and all that kind of thing. Pop culture turns over every five years, or whatever, so (we) sort of have to keep on top of that. Effectively, the struggles, goals, hopes and dreams of kids, have generally been the same as they always have.”
He also mentions being compared to Glee, and introducing new characters:
“We just finished a graduating episode … At the end of this summer, we’ll graduate the last of the second influx of characters that we had, and we’re bringing in new ones,” he added.
“So, you can sort of replenish as you go along.”
Yorke said Entertainment Weekly recently compared Degrassi “pretty favourably” to Glee, which, unlike its Canadian counterpart, is “struggling” to figure out what to do with its graduating cast.
“We actually held up an example of how to keep things fresh and new blood injected there and how to do it seamlessly,” Yorke said.
The article also confirms that Degrassi cast and crew will be in LA next month for the Emmy Awards. However, Degrassi’s award will likely be handed out a week earlier than the televised ceremony.
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