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32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My television home away from home, August 1, 2000
This review is from: Degrassi High Collection (14 Volume Set) [VHS] (VHS Tape)
It all began with the simple reading of an article in The Austin American-Statesman about a new show to debut on PBS. The show was entitled Degrassi Junior High, and then I didn't know what kind of effect it would have on me. The watched the first episode with anticipation called "Kiss Me, Steph", where DJH class tease Stephanie Kaye buys votes to the class presidentcy by giving classmates a kiss. She eventually wins and never even bothers to think her friends for help in the campaign. The show, produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, taught me lots of things about the facts of life: alcohol, drugs, pregnancy, homosexuality, and peer pressure. It also showed that Canadian students were given a lot of leeway on styles of dress. In the above mentioned episode, Stephanie comes to school dressed in very nice clothes, a dress and a blouse. Then, before school starts, she changes into very revealing (and I mean revealing) clothes. She could have been a canidate for the talk show topic, "My Fourteen Year Old Dresses Like Trash". Anyway, my new venture into the world of Degrassi was just beginning (The show was later retitled Degrassi High). In the coming years I would meet all sorts of characters: Joey Jeriamiah, the class clown always on the take; Derek Wheeler (aka "Wheels"), a `lost soul' whose parents were killed by a drunk driver; Caitlin, a feminist activist who falls for the unlikely Joey. You also had your share of couple "items", just like in any school. There was relationships between Alexa and Simon, a transparent couple made for each other, and Michelle and Bryant (nicknamed BLT), an interracial couple. What I liked was I was able to relate to these kids because many of them where going through the same things I was. Unlike bigger productions about high school (like 90210 or Saved by the Bell), this show was very realistic in its method. It handled all sorts of topics in a sensitive and realistic manner. Unlike many TV shows today, Degrassi didn't always have a happy ending. This was upholding to its realism saying that life is not that way. Every action has a reaction, and you will have to deal with the consequences to come. That is what I learned from the show. Every Saturday night at 6 pm, my eyes were glued to the further adventures of the students of Degrassi. Not only did it teach me about life lessons, but it was a damn good soap opera in the sense of the word (that's if you wanted to consider it a soap opera). The show was also a life preserver for me because I had a pretty rough time of it myself. I went through the weekly drudge of going to high school, but during the weekend, I headed for Degrassi. The people were more likeable and friendly than what I was given at my school. Degrassi was a to me was a fun, happening place. I felt like the characters on the show were my actual friends. Of course, I wouldn't go around and say that I hung around with Joey and Wheels during the weekend (The school shrink would've had a ball decyphering that one). Still, it was a place for me to get away. I remember a two part episode of a show that gave me an idea. The show focused on the relationship between Michelle and BLT. Her father sees them outside kissing in front of the house. He disapproves of this since BLT is black, and tells Michelle she cannot see him anymore. So she decides to move out. The problems with my family life weren't getting any better, so i wanted to move out. Even someone volunteered to put me up, but it never came to that. I decided to stay home to tough it out. Still, Degrassi gave me courage to stand up to injustices in my family. Recently, Degrassi reruns ran on Showtime, and box sets of every episode are now availible to own (which i plan to get soon). Fans sites are now availible all over the Internet as the show has achieved cult legend status. I will never forget the other school I went to on the weekends, and the fun times I shared along with millions of other people. I hold those moments closer to my heart than my time in high school. Even though they weren't real, they felt real. Thanks, Degrassi.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Degrassi - perhaps the best show ever created, August 22, 2001
This review is from: Degrassi High Collection (14 Volume Set) [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I am 14 years old, and I have to admitt Degrassi is my favorite show. I was first introduced to the world of Degrassi when our guidence counsler showed us the re-runs in class. At first my friend and I laughed at the out-of-date fashion and the "corniness". However, as I finished my last year at middle school I realized how great and helpful Degrassi had been. I say Degrassi is the best show ever created, and I want the box set so bad but I can't afford it right now. Degrassi deals with problams teenagers DO face, problams shows like Saved By The Bell don't want to talk about. I think Degrassi deserves the recognition it is owed for it's burst of reality and characters everyone will love. Joey Jeremiah, my favorite, is comical yet realistic and loveable all at once. Stephanie Kay shows examples of things real teenagers go through. And Wheels, the poor kid who grew up wrong after his parent's death. I love all the characters of Degrassi!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
I missed this little show!, September 17, 2005
This review is from: Degrassi High Collection (14 Volume Set) [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I remember when Degrassi High and Degrassi Jr. High aired in the U.S and I really enjoyed it. I came on in my region in the late 1980's when I was in JHS. My mother did not care for it because she felt the kids were too fast acting. But she obviously did not understand what it was like to be a teen in the 1980s. That little show did a nice job of portraying teens realisticly (spelling?) and it had some nice storylines. I may be biased since I enjoy "soaps" but this show was so much better than 90210,Saved By the Bell and Degrassi probably had half the budget. The kids looked like kids from my neighborhood and it did a nice job of being diverse without feeling contrived. I plan to get the DVD edition if it is available.
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