Melanie Roberts
2005-03-26 22:56:15 UTC
Article found at www.ctv.ca
Degrassi Is tha Best Teen TV N da WRLD: NY Times
Canadian Press
Although it's been on Canadian TV for 25 years in various
incarnations, the Degrassi series franchise continues to develop a
whole new following in the U.S. and around the world.
The latest boost to CTV's current teen series Degrassi: The Next
Generation has come in a six-page article in the New York Times
magazine under the headline: "Degrassi Is tha Best Teen TV N da WRLD."
The media love letter notes that the series has become the most
popular series on The N, a teen Nickelodeon spinoff channel. Although
the Viacom-owned specialty outlet is seen in fewer households than
conventional TV or even major cable channels like MTV, Degrassi has
managed to beat mainstream youth shows like Joan of Arcadia and Eight
Simple Rules in the ratings.
The article attributes Degrassi's cult status among American teens to
the fact its stars are really teens and look like it, not
20-somethings playing kids, and also to the series' determination to
deal openly with edgy issues from abortion to date rape and
homosexuality.
"Degrassi: The Next Generation confronts controversy in a way that
American network television wouldn't dream of,'' says the article's
author Ben Neihart, who also points out that's why many of the show's
episodes have been censored. In some cases, networks like the BBC and
PBS stopped showing it altogether.
Last summer, the show's cast was sent on a tour of American shopping
malls and young fans lined up for miles to see their heroes.
CTV announced recently that the series has been renewed for yet
another season, noting Degrassi remains Canada's most-watched
homegrown drama for teens and adults.
Meanwhile, in Toronto's east end, not far from the street that gave
the Degrassi series its name, a bar-restaurant officially gets its new
name, Degrassi House, this Friday. The venue has no official
connection to the TV franchise but a spokesperson for the series says
"anything that's going to celebrate the show is a good thing.''
Way to go Degrassi! And Canadian TV :) Just thought u guys would be
interested!
Happy Easter!
Melanie :)
Degrassi Is tha Best Teen TV N da WRLD: NY Times
Canadian Press
Although it's been on Canadian TV for 25 years in various
incarnations, the Degrassi series franchise continues to develop a
whole new following in the U.S. and around the world.
The latest boost to CTV's current teen series Degrassi: The Next
Generation has come in a six-page article in the New York Times
magazine under the headline: "Degrassi Is tha Best Teen TV N da WRLD."
The media love letter notes that the series has become the most
popular series on The N, a teen Nickelodeon spinoff channel. Although
the Viacom-owned specialty outlet is seen in fewer households than
conventional TV or even major cable channels like MTV, Degrassi has
managed to beat mainstream youth shows like Joan of Arcadia and Eight
Simple Rules in the ratings.
The article attributes Degrassi's cult status among American teens to
the fact its stars are really teens and look like it, not
20-somethings playing kids, and also to the series' determination to
deal openly with edgy issues from abortion to date rape and
homosexuality.
"Degrassi: The Next Generation confronts controversy in a way that
American network television wouldn't dream of,'' says the article's
author Ben Neihart, who also points out that's why many of the show's
episodes have been censored. In some cases, networks like the BBC and
PBS stopped showing it altogether.
Last summer, the show's cast was sent on a tour of American shopping
malls and young fans lined up for miles to see their heroes.
CTV announced recently that the series has been renewed for yet
another season, noting Degrassi remains Canada's most-watched
homegrown drama for teens and adults.
Meanwhile, in Toronto's east end, not far from the street that gave
the Degrassi series its name, a bar-restaurant officially gets its new
name, Degrassi House, this Friday. The venue has no official
connection to the TV franchise but a spokesperson for the series says
"anything that's going to celebrate the show is a good thing.''
Way to go Degrassi! And Canadian TV :) Just thought u guys would be
interested!
Happy Easter!
Melanie :)