Check It Oat: Growing Up Degrassi

Ready, Willing & Wired (Part 2) Feat. Co-Creator & Executive Producer Stephen Stohn

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 11:00:00 +0000

We're back - and just in time for the holiday! It's time to be *thankful* so we're bringing you part 2 of our interview with Degrassi: The Next Generation Executive Producer and co-creator Stephen Stohn.

Stephen discusses the casting process, the critical reaction, infamous moments and one mother's poignant response to Marco Del Rossi's coming out storyline. We also talk about the shocking "Time Stands Still" episodes, as well as J.T. Yorke's devastating death - which took things to a whole new level.

This episode is filled with unknown behind the scenes stories from the halls of Degrassi - and even Drake's "I'm Upset" music video.

Speaking of reunions - will Degrassi get the reboot we're all waiting for? Let's just say you gotta have "hope".

So put your headphones in, listen, subscribe and CHECK IT OAT! While you're at it - please check out Stephen Stohn's book Whatever It Takes: Life Lessons from Degrassi and Elsewhere in the World of Music and Television!

Ready, Willing & Wired (Part 1) Feat. Co-Creator & Executive Producer Stephen Stohn

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000

As promised, this week we have part 1 of our interview with a very special guest - the man who brought Degrassi: The Next Generation to a whole new generation - Executive Producer and co-creator Stephen Stohn.

We were so pleased to chat with him and discuss not only what the series meant to him, but what it meant to audiences in both the US and Canada. Stephen explains the origins of Degrassi and how the series we love so much almost never happened! In fact, Degrassi: The Next Generation had a completely different title!

But alas, with a little luck - and a lot of love, a new generation was born - alongside an iconic theme song (which the Beach Boys helped inspire!). Whatever it takes, right?

We also talk about the casting process, the early fanbase (hello, degrassi.tv), how the series tackled heavier topics like abortion and suicide - and the different versions the US and Canadian markets aired.

So sit back and get ready to CHECK IT OAT!

Intro Episode

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 17:26:44 +0000

Degrassi is a series that has been on-air in one iteration or another since 1979. We are revisiting Degrassi: The Next Generation on its 20 year anniversary, at a time when Degrassi moments are memes, its actors are doing reunions and IG lives, and people are revisiting the series for a hit of nostalgia.

We were able to hang out and decompress from the world around us during the pandemic by revisiting the series and talking about how different things are now - but how similar the issues are - and how well (or not so well) the show tackled them.

We weren’t the only ones -- when you are a Degrassi fan, the most unexpected people might disclose to you that they are watching too. It holds such a special place in so many people’s hearts because it takes you right back to those moments of adolescence and pop culture. We are going to start delving into the show starting with the first big episode, talking about the stories and details that have stuck with us. Plus we’ll connect with actors, creators, experts, and fans about what the series meant then and how it feels today. Degrassi’s tagline was always: “it goes there” and so will we.

So grab some poutine and a Molson Light - and get ready to CHECK IT OAT.