January 6, 2009

my name is maura, and i'm addicted to degrassi

After being sick with a yucky cold and confined to my apartment last week, one thing has become abundantly clear: I cannot be trusted alone with my television for four straight days. After running through what was left on my DVR since the winter hiatus began, watching all Netflix DVDs in my possession, and viewing all worthy OnDemand movies (incidentally, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is wonderful), I started flipping around, which I actually rarely do. I discovered "The N" - which is basically Nickelodeon for teens. Most of the content is tween shows like Kyle XY and Zoey 101, but I first tuned in for the many reruns of That 70s Show - one of those shows that I can mindlessly watch for hours.

Then.

I discovered Degrassi. Do people know about this show? I think I have been way out of the loop, and also not living in Cananda. It's a Canadian teen show. After further research, I understand that I'm watching Degrassi: The New Generation. Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High were wildly popular in the 80s, and this is the remake. Don't let "New Generation" fool you. This is no Saved by the Bell new class. This show is gold. I'm telling you, I cannot get enough of these kids. How did I not know about the treasure of Canadian television? They actually deal with real issues (in a teen show no less) without being preachy or schmaltzy. Gay marriage, teen pregnancy, cancer, school shooting, bipolar disorder, cutting, STDs - seriously, these kids have seen it all. Oh the drama.

I may or may not have programmed my DVR to record all new and old episodes. I may or may not have stayed up until the wee hours of this morning watching a particularly heart-wrenching episode. I may or may not have cried.

Admitting you have a problem is the first step.

Oh, and they show Degrassi music videos during the commercial breaks. Good god.


4 comments:

Tall-boy said...

We had to watch episodes of Degrassi Jr. High in my 7th Grade health class!!!

The ep where Spike got pregnant was particularly poignant...

Maura said...

the show could cover the entire curriculum of a health class. i'm still learning things.

incidentally, spike is featured as a mom on the new degrassi. her surprise daughter emma is one of the main characters. oh, and she married snake.

Unknown said...

We watched the original in health as well. I sadly watch this show sometimes.

Anonymous said...

I recently gave up my Degrassi TNG addiction since all my favorite characters graduated from Degrassi and now barely appear. I just can't care about all the new ones. Mia at least has a conscience but the others, yuck.

Post a Comment