You know how The Exec said the Degrassi Season 8 DVD would be released at different times in the U.S. and Canada? Well those were LIES!!! :-p

According to his twitter, The Exec said the DVDs will be released simultaneously in both countries:

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It now appears that the US and Canadian DVDs will be released simultaneously on September 1…
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If you ask me, that’s a GREAT way to kick off the Fall.  With the Degrassi Goes Hollywood movie in August and Season 9 starting late September/early October, having the DVD somewhere in between shall keep us occupied. :-)

[UPDATE] CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SEASON 8 DVD COVER ART!

We already know Degrassi Goes Hollywood airs in Canada on August 30th…now The Exec is saying the airdate for the U.S. will more than likely be Friday, August 14th:

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It’s looking likely that The N’s airdate for Degrassi Goes Hollywood may be Friday August 14th, but it’s not absolutely confirmed yet..
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Neither the Degrassi team nor The-N have yet to 100% confirm the airdate (and quite frankly it’s getting annoying). However, I was checking out a recent blog post by Canadian columnist  Bill Brioux, who visited the Degrassi set last Thursday, and he mentioned that same airdate:

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Christiansen allowed the girls to have a sneak peak at the upcoming TV-movie Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood, which airs Aug. 14 on Noggin or N or whatever and Aug. 30 on CTV.
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I’m still sticking to my original theory that The-N will air it on Aug. 14th, simply because it makes sense from their standpoint.  And since tomorrow (Tuesday, July 14th) would mark the beginning of the one-month countdown, hopefully someone will confirm something at some point this week.

WARNING: THIS EPISODE REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS

TOUCH OF GREY SOUNDTRACK: (there’s only one song credited)
1) Upfront With You, by Universal Honey

MAIN PLOT

What happens when Degrassi gives us an episode where Emma “redefines” herself yet again? We end up hating her even more.

“How can I prove that I’ve got more to offer than cute hair and a cute boyfriend?” Is this what has become of the determined, over-opinionated girl we once knew? Emma is now just a muddled mess of her former self.

What better way to make friends than to become a pothead?

Three months into university life, Liberty, Manny and even Kelly have active social lives while Emma has yet to fit in. In a desperate attempt to make friends, she decides to smoke weed for the first time with a couple of girls.

The girls think Emma is funny when she’s high, so they give her the nickname “Blaze.”

To keep her popularity going, Emma passes out weed brownies at the Floor Olympics (gotta love they used the same music that played when Paige and Alex were high in “Death of a Disco Dancer”). Afterward, Liberty doesn’t approve of Emma doing that, and Emma tells her she’s just jealous that her weed brownies made the event more lively.

Emma’s I-have-to-do-crazy-stuff-to-define-who-I-am routine is getting quite old. Maybe it’s annoying because she NEVER suffers any lasting social consequences. In “Hungry Eyes” she was able to go almost completely nude in front of the school and not get suspended or anything (Now imagine if Manny would’ve done that…). Heck, even her blowjob days in “Secret” only landed her a brief bout with gonorrhea and a social slap on the wrist.

THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT EMMA!!

She’s able to get off once again in “Touch of Grey”, when one of the girls is taken to the hospital because of the weed brownies.

Dorm inspections ensue to find the culprit, and Kelly takes the fall for Emma. Even worse Emma lets him, and Kelly gets kicked out of the dorms.

Minus the ending, the story itself isn’t all that bad, with its very simple message that it’s stupid to do irresponsible things to fit in. The problem is the storyline was given to Emma, who always ends up being an annoying hypocrite in some fashion. 

Kelly acts nonchalant as he gets kicked out of the dorms because of Emma's stupidity.

God knows how many times she’s gotten up on her soapbox to preach to Manny about right and wrong, but Emma never really ends up being held accountable for her irresponsible actions.

Even worse is nowadays she’s simply a boring, lifeless character, which I’m not sure if it’s a product of the writing, Miriam McDonald’s acting or both.

However, I would gladly take the obnoxious “Crusader Emma” of old over this “Dull Emma” any day.

TOUCH OF GREY MAIN PLOT GRADE: D-

SUBPLOT

KC's super sensitive about his past.

Priming KC to be Sean 2.0, this episode is one of the rare occasions where the subplot is way better than the main plot.

We learn about KC’s guarded past; he stole a car with friends at his old school, and now he lives in a group home. He’s terrified that if people find out they’ll just write him off as a bad kid.

Conor reveals this info to Reese, a kid at school that KC has a beef with. This is a great setup episode for Clare and KC. Not only does it deal with KC’s fear of being judged, but he briefly comes face-to-face with that fear when Clare see’s Conor’s busted lip, and suddenly assumes KC hit him. Clare apologizes and tells KC that she knows he’s a good guy, but the damage to KC’s ego has been done. Will he be able to get over his insecurities and realize that not everyone’s going to write him off because of his past?

TOUCH OF GREY SUBPLOT GRADE: A

The Exec posted info on his twitter about Degrassi Goes Hollywood and the Season 8 DVD for Canada and the U.S., and instead of posting it word-for-word I’ll just recap it to make it easier.

CANADA
They plan to realease the Degrassi Goes Hollywood movie on DVD by itself right after it airs on CTV on August 30th.  The Exec said it may be as early as September 1st.  This will be released in Canada only.

The Season 8 DVD (which will include Degrassi Goes Hollywood segmented into 30-minute episodes) will be released in Canada at the beginning of October.

 
U.S.
The Season 8 DVD (which WILL include Degrassi Goes Hollywood) will be released right after The-N airs the Degrassi Goes Hollywood Movie in mid-August.  The-N has yet to confirm when the Degrassi Movie (aka Paradise City) will air, but here’s The-N’s episode schedule for the rest of Season 8 this summer:

7/10: Touch of Grey
7/17: Heart of Glass
7/24: Up Where We Belong
7/31: Danger Zone

From that and what The Exec said, we can assume that Degrassi Goes Hollywood will either air on August 7th, 14th, or 21st.  If we were taking bets I’d say The-N will take a week off after Danger Zone to hype the movie, air it on August 14th, and then they’ll release the Season 8 DVD the third or fourth week of the month.  We shall see!!

UPDATE (7/22/09): CLICK HERE TO SEE THE POST ABOUT THE DEGRASSI SEASON 8 DVD COVER ART!

Drake’s latest music video for “Best I Ever Had” pays tribute to his days as Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi.  As you know, he was the girl’s basketball coach on the show in seasons 6 and 7, hence the idea for the music video.   I absolutely LOVE the song, but I don’t really like the video all that much.

Drake recently signed with Lil Wayne’s Young Money label.  You can check out the “Best I Ever Had” video below:

Miriam McDonald’s time on Degrassi: TNG as Emma could be coming to an end…for now.

Miriam posted a blog on her myspace page saying that she’s going to take a break from acting so she can focus on university.  All of this info came from Miriam Source, the #1 Miriam McDonald fansite, and you can check there for updates on Miriam in the future.  Here’s the blog post below:

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Morning everyone!

So, I know some of you have been wondering, “Where ya been?” or “Is she alive?” And the answer to number one is I have been all around!!! The next question, I’m feeling the most alive I have ever felt right now!!!! Lately, my mind has been all over the place. First, I will be attending university in the fall!!! I am so unbelievably excited. I feel like I am becoming a new person, a better person in fact. I feel as though I am truly growing up, and seeing the person I am destined to become. Haha! I was so excited, my friend was like “So, we goin’ out tonight?” she seemed as if she figured I’d say no, but instead I replied “Ohhhhh we’re GOING OUT!!!!” haha so I grabbed my girls and went around Hollywood/LA area spreading my joy and enlightenment. (picture for proof in my Personal Photos album) as well as my nice neon bandaid (proof that I tripped and fell in the middle of Beverly Hills, part of me embarrassed the other part simply laughed my ass off). Ok back to the original topic. Seeing as I will be a freshman student at University the actress in me is OFFICIALLY on hiatus (you may have seen that already if you have me added on my OFFICIAL twitter page) and I thought I would let my fans know that first. While, I love each and everyone of my fans and love acting, I have to join the real world sometime and that includes attending college, afterall, I will never know what life will throw my way and a degree will help me hence I hope you all fully understand my choices! Just lately, I have been thinking about everything. I can’t believe my birthday is LESS THAN a month away. It makes me wonder, where did the time go? I remember last year around this time, and how foolish I was. I was ridiculous, and wreckless and I know I’ll be thinking the same thing next year around this time, thinking “Wow, I was twenty-two years old, and still as foolish as a five year old.” But, this also makes me wonder, will it EVER stop…does an 85 year old talk about how foolish and childish they were when they were 70? Haha, I don’t know just a thought and I really want everyone’s in take on it. Thanks! Why might you ask if my topic “Benjamin Button Moment.” Well, that’s because as I was saying I feel BRAND NEW. I am so excited, and I feel as if I’m growing temporarily younger with this enthusiasm. Too bad it won’t last haha!! Well, I know this is rather short but, I fear I must be off!

xoxoxo,

Miriam Mcdonald

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This really doesn’t come as a big blow to the show since the older characters on Degrassi are being phased out, but it is sad to see her go…I mean Emma IS the reason The Next Generation was created.

Anyone that’s been following Degrassi knows there’s only 3 ways you could EVER be on Degrassi… 1) Be a Canadian citizen and have audition material, 2) win an auction where they’re offering a trip to the Degrassi set, or 3) Win a “Be On Degrassi” contest.

Well now The-N has your chance to win a walk-on role on Degrassi!!

**from the official rules:

THERE ARE 2 WAYS TO ENTER:  
Method 1: Text one of the following keywords  to the short code 66333 during the Sweepstakes Period to be entered into the Sweepstakes and opt-in for weekly messages from The N’s mobile club:  STAR or DRAMA or DREAM or FAME or MUSIC or PLAY or PART or SUN or WALK.   Normal texting fees and usage charges imposed by your wireless service will apply.  All Entries sent via text messaging must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on 8/17/09.  

Method 2: Submit an entry via postcard with your complete name, address (including zip code), date of birth and daytime and evening phone number via regular mail to:

I Wanna Be On Degrassi Sweepstakes
90 Rockwood Place
Rochester, NY  14610

Mail in entries must be received not later than 8/21/09

You have to be between the ages of 14 and 24 in order to enter, and you also have to live in the U.S….I’m so annoyed because I’m 25! Grrrr.  Anyway, if you’re an American Degrassi fan I highly suggest entering because it’s really easy.  Click here to see The-Mary’s official post about the contest.  Since they’re filming now I’m assuming when you go you’ll be on the show during the later part of Season 9, so you won’t get to see the episode you’re in until sometime in 2010.

Here’s some of the questions/searches that have popped up recently:

*music from degrassi season 8
The easy way is you can click here to check out the music credits for all 8 seasons of Degrassi.  Of course, the hard way to see the music credits for a specific episode is to check the ending credits at the end of said episode.

*degrassi season 9 episodes
The Exec has revealed 12 of the 23 episode titles so far:

901 – Just Can’t Get Enough Part 1
902 – Just Can’t Get Enough Part 2
903 – Shoot to Thrill
904 – Close to Me
905 – You’ll be Illin’
906 – Wanna Be Startin’ Something
907 – Beat It Part 1
908 – Beat It Part 2
909 – Waiting For A Girl Like You
910 – Somebody
911 – Hearts Like Mine Part 1
912 – Hearts Like Mine Part 2

none of the episode descriptions have been released yet.
 

*the reason darcy left degrassi
Darcy “left” because the actress that plays her (Shenae Grimes) left the show got a starring role in the new 90210 series on the CW.

*when will cw air new episodes of degrassi
The-N is the only network in the U.S. that airs NEW episodes of Degrassi.  Networks like the CW and MyTV only air the first 5 seasons of Degrassi.  MTV has started running seasons 6 and 7.

*degrassi paradise city jay and manny spoilers
Sorry, but there’s really no spoilers about Paradise City (aka the Degrassi Goes Hollywood Movie). They’re keeping a tight lid on it!

WARNING: THIS BLOG CONTAINS EPISODE SPOILERS.

“Jane Says” Soundtrack: click here (you can search the song lists for all of the Degrassi episodes).

Main Plot

“Jane Says” is one of those episodes that sticks out because its storyline is similar to one of the most memorable Degrassi High episodes for me. In “Crossed Wires,” Liz was haunted by the memories of sexual abuse she suffered as a child. The sheer terror displayed on her face and her inability to talk to anyone about made it a powerful episode.

Some two decades later, Jane encounters the past as her father comes back into her life. While her brother Lucas is ecstatic at the thought of being a family again, Jane harbors a hatred for their father and doesn’t know why.

I figured out what happened to Jane a whole 40 minutes before she did...if only she could hear me screaming through the tv!!

Most of Season 8 has been forgettable, and while “Jane Says” is a step in the right direction, it still leaves something to be desired.

The main problem with this episode is the fact that it takes SO long for Jane to realize that her father molested her when she was little. It takes her all of Pt. 1 and a third of Pt. 2 for the “AHA!” moment to finally hit.

I know the writers wanted to focus on Jane putting together the pieces of why she hated her father. However, the fact that we can instantly tell she’d been molested when they show the first flashback makes the first thirty minutes feel long and drawn out. And the fact that it becomes even more obvious with each passing moment makes the point when she realizes what her father did somewhat anticlimactic.

With the horde of new characters that have been introduced in Seasons 7 and 8, Jane is easily one of my favorites.

But with all that said, once the story FINALLY gets rolling this episode is what Degrassi is all about: hard-hitting emotion. Jane has become one of my favorite characters out of the newer ones introduced over the past few seasons. Paula Brancati’s acting is on the mark, and it gets better as the episode goes along. I also liked the angle “Jane Says” gave Lucas’ character; his anger toward Jane isn’t in vain, it’s motivated by his desire to have a complete family again.

Touching on abuse, “Jane Says” boasts the most serious storyline of the season, which provides a break from the ever-increasing, unimportant romantic drama that’s taken over the show (see my review of the Pt. 1 subplot below). Even though I felt like it could’ve easily been tightened into a 30-minute episode as opposed to an hour, it’s good to know Degrassi hasn’t forgotten how to deal with the tougher issues of life.

“JANE SAYS” Main Plot Grade: C-

SUBPLOTS

Leia = useless.

The subplot of “Jane Says Pt. 1″ is a perfect example of Degrassi at its worst. Danny wants his new girlfriend Leia to hang out with his crew (Peter, Sav, Mia and Anya).

Leia’s nervous and throws out a bunch of stupid white lies: she says Sav’s been flirting with her, her dad is a music producer and she tells the gang that she knows Pete Wentz from Fallout Boy.

Leia is officially one of the most useless characters to ever grace the halls of Degrassi. She’s flat and boring, and her compulsive lying doesn’t make sense. “Well people lie for no reason in real life,” is an argument you could pitch to me, and I get that. The problem is compulsive liars have a history; it doesn’t just come out nowhere like it did with Leia.

Leia’s relationship with Danny makes me cringe, because he’s deserves much better than her. He’s the star QB of the football team, and one of the most popular guys in school; even when Hazel dated Jimmy she could be incorporated into storylines because she was BFF with Paige. Leia’s a dud that has yet to offer anything to the show; I did laugh at Peter calling her “Liar Leia” though.

“JANE SAYS Pt. 1″ Subplot Grade: F

Clare's makeover brings all the boys to the yard...well boys named Reese at least.

Think of the subplot of “Jane Says Pt. 2″ as “U Got The Look” LITE (v1.2). Clare decides to donate Darcy’s old clothes to charity (as if Darcy’s going to stay in Africa FOREVER, hahah), but Alli convices her to keep them and use them to change her nerdy look.

Of course Clare’s Manny-esque makeover causes Alli to get jealous when guys start noticing Clare over her.

This plot is much more tolerable than the one involving Leia, but for me the interesting part is how it’s keeping the whole will they/won’t they storyline with Alli and Johnny going. Maybe I liked it so much because it’s continuing to build on Alli/Johnny for what I think is HANDS DOWN one of the best episodes of Season 8, “Heart of Glass” (If you’re watching Degrassi on The-N, that episode will air on Friday, July 17th).

“JANE SAYS Pt. 2″ Subplot Grade: C

Degrassi Season 8 returns to The-N tonight with the hour-long two parter, “Jane Says.”  In this episode, Jane has no desire for her dad to come back into her and her brother Lucas’ life.  For years Jane has hated her father, but she’s just now realizing why. 

Also, Danny girlfriend Leia has trouble fitting in with Danny’s friends, and Clare ditches her nerdy look for a new wardrobe.

If you miss tonight’s episode live, American fans will be able to catch it in The Click at The-N.com.  Hopefully, I’ll get around to posting my review of this episode sometime this weekend.  Happy 4th of July everyone!!