Watch Degrassi Junior High

Name: Degrassi Junior High
Genre: Drama
Released: 1987-01-18
Cast: Maureen McKayAnais GranofskyAmanda SteptoNeil HopeDayo Ade

TV-14
1987
3 Seasons
8.1 (3,008)

Degrassi Junior High was a popular Canadian television drama series that aired from 1987 to 1991 on CBC. The show was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood and was a spin-off of the earlier Degrassi series, The Kids of Degrassi Street. The series dealt with a range of sensitive and topical issues that were facing teenagers at the time, such as racism, drug use, sex, peer pressure, and relationships. The show was praised for its candid and honest portrayal of these issues by featuring realistic and relatable characters. The show revolved around a group of students at the fictional Degrassi Junior High School in Toronto, Ontario. The main protagonists of the show were Joey Jeremiah (Pat Mastroianni), Snake Simpson (Stefan Brogren), and Wheels (Neil Hope). The series introduced a large ensemble cast of recurring characters, most notably the girls of the show: Caitlin Ryan (Stacie Mistysyn), Stephanie Kaye (Nicole Stoffman), and Lucy Fernandez (Anais Granofsky). The show tackled various topics over its four-year run. One of the recurring themes was loyalty and friendship. The friendships formed in the show's early episodes were tested as the characters grew and faced new challenges. For example, Caitlin Ryan's relationship with her best friend Joey Jeremiah was put under strain as Caitlin became more politically active on issues such as apartheid and started dating another character, Claude (David Armin-Parcells). Similarly, Lucy's friendship with Stephanie suffered when she discovered Stephanie was bullying her about her weight behind her back. Another key issue addressed in the show was peer pressure. During the series, we see characters dealing with this problem in a variety of ways. When the character of Snake is diagnosed with leukemia and starts chemotherapy, his friends Joey and Wheels try to make him drink and smoke cigarettes as a way of cheering him up; when he refuses, they taunt him as being 'no fun.' Meanwhile, in a later episode, Caitlin's friend L.D. (Amanda Stepto) is pressured into trying cigarettes with other students and ends up struggling to quit smoking. Other issues addressed in the show included dating, sexual health and pregnancy, physical and emotional abuse, and drug use. One of the memorable episodes dealt with the issue of bullying when a student, Rick (Ephraim Ellis), who had previously isolated himself from his peers, got involved in a high school dance, and was later subjected to humiliation by some of the other students. Overall, Degrassi Junior High was a pioneering show that tackled several topics that were then considered taboo or too controversial to address on television. The show was a success and won three Gemini Awards. Although it might sound outdated today, it was groundbreaking in its time and paved the way for current shows like Euphoria and 13 Reasons Why, that push the boundaries of what subjects can be discussed on television.

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Seasons

3 2 1

16. Bye-Bye Junior High

March 6, 1989

Wheels is concerned about whether he can pass, and Joey has made a deal with his parents that he can go to the graduation dance only if his grades are good enough. Ms. Avery tries to persuade Spike to continue school. During the school dance, bad wiring causes the school to burn down, leaving the kids wondering if they'll see each other for next year.

15. Pa-arty!

February 27, 1989

Lucy hosts a secret party when her parents are away, but doesn't tell Clutch. Joey, Wheels, and Snake convince Clutch to buy them some beer, which he does, and Clutch comes to the party drunk.

14. Black & White

February 20, 1989

BLT is led into a fight because of he was called a racist name. Michelle's parents disapprove when BLT asks her to the dance. Spike is rejected from a job because of her punk haircut. Liz wants to break the windows because they were bigoted of her hairstyle.

13. Making Whoopee

February 13, 1989

When Arthur's Dad begins dating again, Arthur feels left out and jealous, so he and Yick try to break them up. When Arthur's dad and his girlfriend breakup, Arthur feels horrible. Melanie gets jealous when Snake is attracted to Allison.

12. Taking Off (2)

February 6, 1989

Wheels finds his biological father but cannot confide in him. Shane is found badly hurt and in a coma after jumping off a bridge when taking acid at the Gourmet Scum Concert.

11. Taking Off (1)

February 6, 1989

Wheels is sick of school and of his grandparents strict rules, so he takes off looking for his biological father Mike. Luke and Shane does acid at the Gourmet Scum concert. The next day, Shane is missing.

10. Twenty Bucks

January 30, 1989

Melanie spends $20 treating her friends to a fries and cokes on 13 Busy Street, a local Degrassi burger joint. When Snake asks her to go to a concert with him, she "borrows" $20 from her mother. Shane tells Spike he's too broke to give her the child-support money, but then spends $20 on a concert ticket. Spike find out and gives him hell. BLT bets Joey $20 that Joey can't get a date to the concert.

9. Food for Thought

January 23, 1989

Melanie notices that Kathleen is obsessive about winning the science fair and tries to help her when she sees signs of anorexia. Scooter and Bart's science fair rats become fat ,and the kids think they've discovered something about junk food. Heather and Erica think Lucy has an eating disorder.

8. Star-Crossed

January 16, 1988

Erika falls in love with Clutch, when she read her horoscope. Alexa decides she wants Simon back after losing him to Michelle.

7. The Whole Truth

December 12, 1988

Liz organizes a protest against cruelty to animals. Scooter and Bart buy what they think are "sea creatures" for the aquarium. Joey becomes a problem at the radio station

6. He Ain't Heavy

December 5, 1988

Snake is devastated to learn that his all-star brother Glen is gay, and fears he could also be gay. BLT makes fun of Joey's new idea of getting his band onto the radio, by being a janitor at the radio station.

5. Loves Me, Loves Me Not

November 28, 1988

Caitlin is hurt when she misunderstands Joey's intentions about a dance. Alexa tries to help shy Michelle gain the attention of BLT, while little Dorothy has a crush on Yick.

4. Season's Greetings

November 21, 1988

Yick and Arthur are mad at each other, over arguments about whether Arthur is "rich" while they exchange gifts. Arthur's cousin helps them remember the "good times". Spike brings her baby to school but is reluctant to let Shane hold the baby

3. A Big Girl Now

November 14, 1988

Lucy's relationship with Paul makes her a neglectful friend to L.D., and the twins. When she decides to have a sleepover, Paul tells her to have a high-school party, and tries to have sex with her. She refuses, but the next day, everyone thinks they "did it". Kathleen becomes school vice-president, and puts her friendship with Melanie on hold.

2. Can't Live With 'Em (2)

November 7, 1988

Wheels has troubles going back to school after his parents' deaths. Lucy becomes involved with Paul, a high school boy.

1. Can't Live With 'Em (1)

November 7, 1988

Wheels' parents forbids him to spend time with Joey, who they think is a troublemaker. Spike returns to school, after having her baby, Emma, during the summer. She ignores Shane. Yick finds out Arthur's mom won the lottery. Meanwhile, when at Joey's house, the cops come and tells Wheels some horrible news that will affect the rest of his life.

Description

The show revolved around a group of students at the fictional Degrassi Junior High School in Toronto, Ontario. The main protagonists of the show were Joey Jeremiah (Pat Mastroianni), Snake Simpson (Stefan Brogren), and Wheels (Neil Hope). The series introduced a large ensemble cast of recurring characters, most notably the girls of the show: Caitlin Ryan (Stacie Mistysyn), Stephanie Kaye (Nicole Stoffman), and Lucy Fernandez (Anais Granofsky).

The show tackled various topics over its four-year run. One of the recurring themes was loyalty and friendship. The friendships formed in the show's early episodes were tested as the characters grew and faced new challenges. For example, Caitlin Ryan's relationship with her best friend Joey Jeremiah was put under strain as Caitlin became more politically active on issues such as apartheid and started dating another character, Claude (David Armin-Parcells). Similarly, Lucy's friendship with Stephanie suffered when she discovered Stephanie was bullying her about her weight behind her back.

Another key issue addressed in the show was peer pressure. During the series, we see characters dealing with this problem in a variety of ways. When the character of Snake is diagnosed with leukemia and starts chemotherapy, his friends Joey and Wheels try to make him drink and smoke cigarettes as a way of cheering him up; when he refuses, they taunt him as being 'no fun.' Meanwhile, in a later episode, Caitlin's friend L.D. (Amanda Stepto) is pressured into trying cigarettes with other students and ends up struggling to quit smoking.

Other issues addressed in the show included dating, sexual health and pregnancy, physical and emotional abuse, and drug use. One of the memorable episodes dealt with the issue of bullying when a student, Rick (Ephraim Ellis), who had previously isolated himself from his peers, got involved in a high school dance, and was later subjected to humiliation by some of the other students.

Overall, Degrassi Junior High was a pioneering show that tackled several topics that were then considered taboo or too controversial to address on television. The show was a success and won three Gemini Awards. Although it might sound outdated today, it was groundbreaking in its time and paved the way for current shows like Euphoria and 13 Reasons Why, that push the boundaries of what subjects can be discussed on television.

Degrassi Junior High is a series that is currently running and has 3 seasons (42 episodes). The series first aired on January 18, 1987.

Where to Watch Degrassi Junior High

Degrassi Junior High is available for streaming on the CBC website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Degrassi Junior High on demand at Apple TV.