Late 1980s and early 1990s children may remember the first incarnation of a Canadian show that depicted the drama filled day-to-day lives of junior high and high school students. Degrassi High and Degrassi Junior High told a story of youths becoming adults. Even at the end of series when they all graduated and moved on, there were still those who watched reruns and gathered at the 1999 convention. Now, a decade later, it is a new group of kids trying to survive the everyday trials of adolescence. Degrassi: The Next Generation, going into its third season this fall, uses real life situations in a popular media format to inform and educate younger audiences while at the same time providing a great source of entertainment with a lot of heart beneath the otherwise simple surface.

Degrassi: The Next Generation links the old and new series with Emma Nelson, the teenage daughter of single mother Christine �Spike� Nelson, who decided not to have an abortion when she became pregnant as a teenager in the original Degrassi High series. It follows the lives, relationships and situations of about a dozen main characters, with new characters always being added each season. The characters and the audience members grow up together. They experience each trial and tribulation together. Spike and a few other veterans from the original Degrassi shows reprise their roles as the adult versions of the characters they played before with old high school relationships being re-explored.

Each individual depicts a watered down stereotype that everyone has met or seen or known from or while they were in school. From the Teacher�s Pet to the Popular One to the Trouble Maker to the Punk to the Hottie to the Sidekick, they are all there. They can find at least one of them to relate to. Even though they are typecasts, each one has their own quirkiness and individuality given to them by their respective actor or actress. The young actors and actresses are honest and open in their representations. Their charm and love for their characters shine through and causes the audience to develop an indescribable attachment. It is also a multicultural cast with at least one from each major ethnicity.

The most prominent and commendable characteristic is the portrayal of strength despite any wall or hardship that might be in their way. The motto is to believe in oneself and not allow insecurities or others to prevent action. Emma is extremely opinionated. She writes articles against the �sexist� Spirit squad, the unjustified advertising in school and the genetically modified cafeteria food. Manny, Emma�s best friend, finds the courage to stand up to the most popular girl in school. Toby does not allow the older brother of his girlfriend intimidate him. Craig leaves the home of his abusive father. The list of examples goes on and on.

In the very first episode, �Mother and Daughter Reunion,� Degrassi: The Next Generation stays true to its goal of portraying and exploring adolescent issues in the new century. It is definitely a warning. While her mother is at her 10 year high school reunion, Emma decides to meet her Internet boyfriend, who seems too good to be true, at a hotel. Of course, he ends up being a perverted 30-year-old man pretending to be a boy Emma�s age. She does get rescued in the end of the show.

The next areas tackled are raging hormones and sex. The seasons show the cast getting sex education through the school. In �The Mating Game,� thoughts of premarital sex and maturity are the main points. Homosexuality and reactions to it are touched upon. Ashley finds out her father is gay in �Secrets and Lies� and at first feels betrayed by it. Marco determines he is gay. �Shout� deals with rape and how it can affect a young girl�s psyche. Paige felt it was her fault and was struggling through the jumbled emotions. Through the support of a counselor and friends, the episode showed her coming to terms with it but also showed that it would still be a scar.

Another concern tactfully shown is that of substance abuse. There are commercials and campaigns against underage drinking and drug usage all across Canada and the USA. The show acknowledges this and gives examples of the consequences. Underage drinking was in episodes �Eye of the Beholder� and �Message in a Bottle.� The stories revolve around someone needing to loosen up or relax because of a highly stressful situation and resulting in the loss of a valuable friendship. In �Jagged Little Pill,� Ashley takes a drop of acid, alienates her friends and ultimately loses them.

Stepfamilies, first dates, abusive parents, peer pressure, eating disorders, hate crimes and death are also dealt with. Woven into each episode, there is still a large amount of humor. There are crazy adventures, silly mistakes and sarcasm to fill in for comic relief. It is as realistic of a show as one can get without a black censor pen crossing back and forth across the screen. The dialogue is simplex and obviously geared towards the show�s youthful demographic. Older people can also enjoy the stories with a reminiscent air while at the same time appreciating its modern edge.

With the carefully written but frank storylines, Degrassi: The Next Generation has earned every award and nomination it has received. A few of the awards are the 2003 Silver Screen Award for Best Children�s Programming at the US International Film and Video Festival, 2003 Award of Excellence from Alliance for Children and Television and 2002 Outstanding Achievement in a Children�s Television Series from Directors Guild of Canada.

Degrassi: The Next Generation is a charming addition to television. Its real life situations concerning the current times lets its audience members feel like they are not alone in their struggle for self discovery, strength and independence during the awkward stage of adolescence. They can relate with at least one of the characters on the show -- characters that would otherwise be dry if not for the charismatic cast -- whether it is through their personality or ethnicity. The natural dialogue and sincere storylines will keep this show an award winning classic amongst the young and old.

~* September 24, 2003 @ 5:29 pm *~