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Degrassi: The Next Generation

What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Caroline Gates-Shannon

Like its 1980s predecessors, Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High, DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION follows a group of students in grades 8-12 at a Canadian community school. Over the course of its broadcast life, the show has tackled some tough issues as its core characters have matured from childish 7th and 8th graders to almost-adult 11th and 12th graders. Despite its focus on "issues," though, the show is consistently entertaining and thought- provoking rather than preachy and condescending.

Is It Any Good?

5

Excellently written and boasting a cast that both looks and acts like real kids, Degrassi: The Next Generation provides provocative, engaging, and socially conscious programming that will appeal to teens and their parents; the show even has a sizeable adult fan base as well. Fans of the first Degrassi series will be delighted to see classic characters like Spike, Snake, Caitlin, and Joey in the roles of parents and teachers in this latest incarnation.

Previous seasons of the series have dealt with such serious issues as a school shooting, which resulted in the shooter's death and serious injury to another student, and teenage pregnancy. Despite its focus on "issues," though, the show is consistently entertaining and thought- provoking rather than preachy and condescending.

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