Degrassi: The Next Generation (season 8)

Degrassi: The Next Generation (season 8)
Degrassi: The Next Generation Season 8 DVD
Country of origin	Canada
No. of episodes	22
Broadcast
Original channel	CTV (Canada) ZigZap (Poland) The N (United States) BBC Two (U.K.)
Original run	5 October 2008 (2008-10-05) – 30 August 2009 (2009-08-30)
Home video release
DVD release
Region 1	1 September 2009 (2009-09-01)
Season chronology
← Previous seven Next → nine

The eighth season of Degrassi: The Next Generation premiered in Canada on 5 October 2008,^[1] concluded on 30 August 2009, and consists of twenty-two episodes (18 episodes, and 1 movie). Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian serial teen drama television series. Although only one school year passed in the story timeline in seasons six and seven, season eight is set in the first semester in which the year it aired. Writers have been able to use a semi-floating timeline, so that the issues depicted are modern for their viewers. This season depicts the lives of a group of high school freshman, juniors, seniors, and college freshmen as they deal with some of the challenges and issues young adults face such as relationships, sex, violence, sexual identity, police involvement, drug abuse, dropping out, cyberbullying, mental illness, child molestation, gunpoint robbery and shooting. Thirteen actors are added to the ensemble cast, while fourteen cast members have either left the series or been dropped from the main cast to recurring roles. The season focuses heavily on the new, younger students of Degrassi Community School, although it included storylines about the school seniors, and those who have graduated and gone on to university.^[2]

Season eight aired Sundays at 7:30 p.m. on CTV, a Canadian television network.^[1] Episodes were repeated on CTV's sister cable speciality network, MuchMusic, on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. In the United States, the season began on 10 October 2008 and aired in its usual timeslot on Fridays at 8:00 p.m. on The N. Unlike seasons six and seven, which premiered in the US, "Uptown Girl Part One", this season's premiere episode, was broadcast in Canada first,^[3] with "Uptown Girl Part Two" airing a week later; in the US, however, both parts aired together as an hour-long special.^[4] As well as airing on television, the season's episodes were also streamed on the websites of CTV and The N,^[5] and registered users of the Canadian and US iTunes Stores can purchase and download the season for playback on home computers and certain iPods.^[6]

Production for the season began in May 2008 at Epitome Pictures' studios in Toronto, Ontario, and were completed in late October 2008.^[7] The final episodes of the season were filmed in part in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California,^[5] and were written and directed by Stefan Brogren, who plays Archie "Snake" Simpson.^[2]

This was the last season to air on The N, before its change to the TeenNick name, in the United States.

Cast

Some of the cast of Degrassi: The Next Generation at the eTalk Festival Party, during the Toronto International Film Festival

For the eighth season, twenty-four actors have star billing and appear in the title sequence, an increase of four over the previous season. Stefan Brogren, Sarah Barrable-Tishauer, Shane Kippel, Miriam McDonald,^[8] and Cassie Steele, all original cast members, returned in their respective roles as Archie "Snake" Simpson, Liberty Van Zandt, Gavin "Spinner" Mason, Emma Nelson, and Manuela "Manny" Santos.^[9] Returning cast members introduced in earlier seasons are Jamie Johnston as Peter Stone,^[10] Paula Brancati as Jane Vaughn, Marc Donato as Derek Haig, Dalmar Abuzeid as Danny Van Zandt,^[11] Nina Dobrev as Mia Jones, and Charlotte Arnold as Holly J. Sinclair.

Since season six, Jake Goldsbie, portraying Toby Isaacs,^[12] has been a recurring cast member, and is only credited in the episodes in which he appears, during the opening credits after the title sequence. Beginning in this season, Adamo Ruggiero, Aubrey Graham, Mike Lobel, and Amanda Stepto as Marco Del Rossi, Jimmy Brooks, Jay Hogart, and Christine "Spike" Nelson respectively,^[13] are dropped to recurring status, as well as Lauren Collins (Paige Michalchuk),^[14] who also appears in Life with Derek, Stacey Farber (Ellie Nash),^[15] who was signed on to appear in a new series for the 2010 television season, 18 to Life,^[16] and Shenae Grimes (Darcy Edwards),^[10] who has taken a leading role in the new American television series 90210, which premiered in September 2008 and is filmed in Los Angeles, California.^[17]

Following the departure of Melissa DiMarco (Daphne Hatzilakos)^[18] at the end of season seven, Kevin Jubinville plays the new Degrassi principal, Mr. Shepherd ("The Shep"), previously the principal of Lakehurst before the merger of the two schools.^[19] Other actors from season seven not returning this season are Deanna Casaluce as Alex Nuñez, Melissa McIntyre as Ashley Kerwin, Mazin Elsadig as Damian Hayes, Steve Belford as Jesse Stefanovic, and Nathan Stephenson as Griffin Pierce-Taylor.

To replace the outgoing actors, seven new characters are introduced to the series. Melinda Shankar plays Alli Bhandari, Sav's younger sister,^[20][21] A.J. Saudin plays Snake's godson, Connor Deslauriers,^[22] and Sam Earle plays K.C. Guthrie.^[23] The three characters, and Clare, are new ninth graders attending Degrassi Community School's new Gifted Students program. Judy Jiao^[24] and Jordan Hudyma play Leia Chang and Blue Chessex, new eleventh grade students,^[25][26] Argiris Karras plays Riley Stavros,^[27] and Evan Williams plays Smithdale University freshman Kelly Ashoona.^[28][29] Raymond Ablack, Samantha Munro, Jajube Mandiela, Aislinn Paul, Natty Zavitz and Scott Paterson, who previously held recurring roles as Sav Bhandari, Anya MacPherson, Chantay Black, Clare Edwards, Bruce and Johnny DiMarco,^[5][30] are also given star billing.

Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes, who both made guest appearances in seasons four and five,^[31] and former cast members Jake Epstein (Craig Manning) returned with "many other guest stars" for a four-part season finale, which is set and filmed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.^[5]

Crew

Season eight was produced by Epitome Pictures in association with CTV. Funding was provided by The Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit and the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit, the Canadian Television Fund and BCE-CTV Benefits, The Shaw Television Broadcast Fund, the Independent Production Fund, Mountain Cable Program, and RBC Royal Bank.

Linda Schuyler, co-creator of the Degrassi franchise and CEO of Epitome Pictures, served as an executive producer with her husband, and President of Epitome Pictures, Stephen Stohn. Sara Snow is also credited as an executive producer.^[29] David Lowe was the producer, and Stephanie Cohen the supervising producer. As well as playing Snake Simpson, Stephen Brogren also served as the creative producer, and, for the first time, directed episodes,^[5] after previously writing, producing, and directing the exclusive online series Degrassi Minis. The casting director was Stephanie Gorin, and the editor was D. Gillian Truster.

The executive story editor was Sarah Glinski, and Matt Heuther the story editor. The script supervisor was Nancy Markle. Episode writers for the season are Duana Taha and Brendon Yorke. The director of photography was Jim Westenbrink, and the director was Phil Earnshaw.

Also this season is another "Halloween special", titled The Curse of Degrassi, which CTV aired on 26 October 2008 and The N aired it 28 October 2008. This time it deals with the anniversary of Rick Murray's death and his haunting former classmates.^[32]

Reception

The season premiere was watched by 398,000 Canadian viewers,^[33] a figure almost 200,000 fewer than season seven's premiere of 585,000 viewers.^[34] When reporting on the figures in his blog, Bill Brioux, the television columnist for The Canadian Press, was surprised that Degrassi: The Next Generation had reached its eighth season with such poor ratings, asking "What other show in the history of Canadian or American television has so consistently drawn so few viewers yet gets renewed year after year?"^[33] Viewing figures continued to drop when an average of 220,000 viewers watched the second and sixth episodes; the lowest figures Degrassi: The Next Generation has ever received.^[35][36] That number was even lower for episode eleven, when overnight ratings showed it received 139,000 viewers.^[37] The overall number of viewers rose slightly for the thirteenth episode, the first of a two-parter, when it was watched by 157,000 people, but the viewing figures for the key 18–34 demographics was at a low of 81,000.^[38] The following week, the episode that concluded the two-parter picked up viewers, reaching an estimated total of 206,000.^[39] Brioux commented again about Degrassi: The Next Generation still being on the schedules, wondering when CTV was going to announce its cancellation and noting that The Amazing Race, which follows it in the scheduling, was watched by ten times the number of Degrassi's viewers.^[39] That pattern was repeated the following week, when Degrassi: The Next Generation was watched by 222,000 viewers, compared to 1,834,000 viewers for The Amazing Race, 1,579,000 viewers for Desperate Housewives and 1,106,000 viewers for The Mentalist, which were broadcast later in the evening.^[40]

Despite the low viewing figures, the season was still a critical hit. The influx of new actors and characters was described as being "fresh",^[41] a "chance to bring new energy into the show",^[42] and "stir up the school right from its very heart",^[43] although original cast member Aubrey Graham criticised the producers and the way it happened. "One day we came in and all the names were just changed on the dressing rooms. Everyone got cut. We go upstairs and it’s like, 'Who are all these people auditioning in the front?' They owe us a lot of money. The amount of loyalty, the years we put in with these people... they did us foul. As far as the producers go, I don’t talk to anybody over there."^[44] Writing about specific new actors, Dani Ng-See-Quan of andPop praised Charlotte Arnold for being able to study a full-time journalism course at Ryerson University and to act full-time in a television series at the same time.^[42] Ryerson University's on-campus newspaper, The Eyeopener also praised Arnold for this achievement, as well as fellow cast members and students Raymond Ablack, Nina Dobrev and Evan Williams.^[45] Calgary Herald and National Post writer Michael Morrison said Paula Brancati "has become my favorite Canadian actress", admiring her ability to play two different characters on two different series – Jane Vaugn on Degrassi: The Next Generation and Jenny on Being Erica – with an age difference of about thirteen years, and in playing Jane, a character who is the victim of child molestation "[it] is never an easy thing for an actor to portray, but Brancati does it convincingly."^[46] This season also promoted awareness in Asperger syndrome; A.J. Saudin's character Connor is a sufferer.^[47] Melinda Shankar's portrayal of a first-generation Canadian whose family comes from India was acknowledged, as her character struggles to deal with the culture clash of acting, dressing and dating who she likes, against her conservative parents' wishes.^[48] At AfterElton.com, a magazine a website that focuses on the portrayal of bisexual and homosexual men in the media, was critical that the sexuality of new character Riley, played by Argiris Karras, has so far been through the eyes of Peter Stone, Riley's unrequited love interest, and that the storyline served only to advance Peter's character.^[49] There was praise, however, that Riley is a departure from previous gay characters Marco Del Rossi, Alex Nuñez, and Dylan and Paige Michalchuck, in that he is confused about his sexuality, and unlike sweet and sensitive Marco, Riley is an alpha male jock who is very much in denial about himself.^[49] Jamaican-Canadian screenwriter Annmarie Morais said of the Canadian television industry that Degrassi: The Next Generation is a prime example of a Canadian television series that has garnered international acclaim while maintaining a strong and realistic portrayal of life in Canada. "While in the States, I work with a lot of teenagers and pre-teens, and every one of them knows about Degrassi. Now, that show doesn't have an O.C. formula or Beverly Hills 90210 formula; it's unique and it has a Canadian voice. Shows like Degrassi prove that we can develop shows that have strength across the border."^[50]

Linda Schuyler was honoured with the Female Eye Maverick Award at the annual Female Eye Film Festival held in Toronto in March 2009.^[51] Leslie Ann Coles, director of the festival, said Schuyler is "one of the most successful, innovative and progressive women" in the TV industry.^[52] At the 2009 Young Artist Awards, Jamie Johnson was nominated as a Leading Young Actor in the Best Performance in a TV Comedy or Drama Series.^[53]

The Degrassi Goes Hollywood Movie premiered in the US on The N 14 August 2009, before it premiered in Canada on 30 August 2009. The show garnered the highest rating in The N network history, attracting nearly one million viewers.^[54]

Episodes

This season had no hour long specials, however a two-hour movie aired as the season finale, which was four episodes combined, called Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood. The TV movie follows the students during the winter break of the school year.

This list is by order of production, as they appear on the DVD, which is also the order they originally aired.

Episode #	Series #	Title	Canadian airdate	US airdate	Production code
1	144	"Uptown Girl" Part One	5 October 2008	10 October 2008	801
Degrassi gets a new principal for the new school year, Mr. Shepperd (or "The Shep"), whose laid-back style is popular with the students, but surprises Snake. The Shep establishes and coaches the Panthers, the new football team led by quarterback Danny Van Zandt as the captain. On the first day of school The Shep decides to cancel classes and hold a fashion show for the football team's new uniform, and Mia begins to form a friendship with new student Leia. At the fashion show, Mia grows close to Danny when she models with him, and she is spotted by a talent agent who offers her a place on the books of a modeling agency. When she attends an audition with T-Bombz's star Q.B. Tom Blake, Mia thinks she performed badly, especially after seeing another model flirting with him. She visits his apartment late at night to convince him she should get the job, and when he makes sexual advances towards her, she does not fight back. Meanwhile, Emma, Manny and Liberty arrive at Smithdale University, but Emma is upset to learn that they will not be rooming together. After speaking to the Housing department, Emma gets them into a room together with a male named Kelly – who she thought was female. While Manny and Liberty throw themselves into the fun and activities of orientation week, Emma is disappointed that their relationship with each other is changing, until Kelly shows her how to have a good time without them.
2	145	"Uptown Girl" Part Two	12 October 2008	10 October 2008	802
Clare, K.C., Alli and Connor begin their Gifted Program classes, but Clare finds it difficult to make friends with the others, believing she is more intelligent than them. K.C. challenges Clare when she tells them she does not care what people's opinions are of her, but after performing a hymn in the cafeteria and gets booed, jeered, and food thrown at her, she runs out upset. After eating lunch with Connor in the Media Immersion classroom the following day, K.C. makes attempts to build bridges with Clare, who reveals that she feels as if she is always in the shadow of her older, and more popular sister, Darcy. Meanwhile, Mia is offered the T-Bombz modelling job and takes Leia with her to the press conference where the official announcement is made. Tom Blake invites them to a private party that night, and while Mia is more than happy to engage in their activities, such as drinking alcohol and group sex, Leia is not, and after chastising Mia, leaves the party. The following day Mia arrives late for school, and while her social status is gaining strength among the hierarchy of Power Squad members Anya, Holly J., and Chante, Leia is disgusted, especially after finding out she slept with Blake. When Danny asks Leia if she thinks he has a chance of being Mia's boyfriend, Leia is forced to tell him the truth. Mia is angry after discovering she was going to be offered the job before she slept with Blake, and upset when Danny tells her what he thinks of her.
3	146	"Fight the Power"	19 October 2008	17 October 2008	803
Jane loves football and wants to play, but since there is no girls' team, her only other option is playing with the boys, which isn't easy. As Jane makes the team, the boys make her life hell. When a game starts, she is the best of all, but Derek makes the team lose. He blames it on Jane, causing the rest of the team wonder if Jane can play football. Peter hosts an after party, but he is disappointed with Darcy, who couldn't make it due to a four-month trip she tells him about at the last minute. Mia falls for Peter and shows him comfort. The next day at practice, Jane complains that she had nothing to do with the team losing. After practice, Derek and Bruce attack Jane, leaving her in pain and Spinner angry. Peter and Mia start a casual relationship, but he secretly still has feelings for Darcy. Jane returns to practice the next day, saying she is as part of this team as anyone else is. Sav, Danny and everyone else sticks up for her except Derek and Bruce.
4	147	"Didn't We Almost Have It All"	2 November 2008	24 October 2008	804
At Smithdale, Liberty decides to join a sorority. At first she is bound to join her mother's former sorority but then is recruited by a member of a sorority called Pi Gamma Pi. The heads of the sorority begin to stereotype Liberty, assuming that she is from an underprivileged background, that J.T. died in a gang-fight, and that she is good at hip-hop dancing after Liberty reveals to them that she had a baby and gave him up for adoption, but the father was stabbed in "not exactly" a gang fight. She is reluctant at first, but then she begins to try the party-girl lifestyle, and anything to join the sorority. When she is accepted and another fellow black girl is not, Liberty realizes that the sorority just needed a token. Meanwhile, The Shep has given Holly J. the presidency of the student council, and she tells Danny not to complain and he gets the secretary job. At Power Squad practice, Chante makes a comment about Anya and Sav losing their virginity to each other, and Holly J. becomes desperate. She then tries to seduce new student, Blue Chessex, who is exceptional in art. After rejecting Holly J, he tries to have sex with her but she rejects him saying that he will never get another chance with her.
5	148	"Man with Two Hearts"	9 November 2008	7 November 2008	805
Peter's life cannot get any better. With a new girlfriend, Mia, and an awesome guy-friend, Riley, to play video games with. However, when Riley kisses Peter, Peter questions Riley's sexuality. At first, when Peter tries to bring things back to normal between them, things turn harsh when Riley tries to attack him. He later makes a snide remark about Peter and his sexuality when Derek and Bruce come up. Peter begins to reveal Riley's secret, but he stops, and Riley finally begins to come to an understanding with Peter. Meanwhile, Connor, Clare, K.C., and Alli are working on a robot project in media immersion. In order to snoop around in their teacher's house, Alli pushes that Connor host the next study night. Alli ends up persuading Clare to go with her into the Simpsons bedroom, and they find a vibrator. Spike tells them that she knows what they were doing, since she was once their age. The girls hide it in Clare's bag and it goes off during class. When Clare is sent to The Shep, Clare's mother is called in. After thinking she was being to harsh to her about the incident, Mrs. Edwards decides to have the sex talk with her, which Clare later uses the knowledge to embarrass Holly J. in front of the school.
6	149	"With or Without You"	16 November 2008	14 November 2008	806
Sav and Anya plan to celebrate their six months together on the school's overnight trip. Things look good for Sav until he finds out that his little sister Alli is coming on the trip with them. At first, Alli won't keep away from him and Anya, but eventually she starts seeking after Johnny. Now Sav is too worried about what Alli is doing behind his back to express any interest toward Anya. When he tells Alli off for getting close to guys like Johnny, Anya refuses to tolerate his double standard any longer and breaks up with him, leaving him heartbroken. Meanwhile, Emma and Manny are both crushing on their roommate Kelly. They know they are too mature to do this again, but they can't help but be interested in who he likes. When Emma has had enough, she rushes into Kelly's room, only to find him in bed with Gwenith. He later tells an embarrassed Emma and Manny that he is not going to date his roommates, which they reluctantly accept.
7	150	"Money for Nothing"	23 November 2008	21 November 2008	807
Holly J. is desperate to keep her Queen Bee appearance even after learning her parents are in a financial crisis, but is finding it harder and harder to hide when she is forced to take the bus to school and brown-bag her lunch. She even has to beg Spinner for a job at The Dot, despite her terrible waitressing skills, but when Holly J. is overcome with even more stress, she feels that she has to take it out on someone else so she spills Mia's secret at a Degrassi news conference about what she did with Tom Blake. Unfortunately, Holly J. gets kicked off the Spirit Squad when Mia takes over and Blue stops taking interest in her when she tells Blue she wants to go to a concert with him but ditches him because of her financial difficulties. Meanwhile, Peter's mom unexpectedly drops in for a visit. She stays with him at his apartment for the time that she's in town, but when she begins getting too involved with his life, he realizes that life isn't that great with Mom around.
8	151	"Lost in Love" Part One	30 November 2008	13 February 2009	808
Spinner and Jane have plans for next year - she'll start pre-law and he'll attend police college. When he doesn't get in, he can't bear to tell her, so he lies. Jane catches him and starts to wonder if her future includes him. Clare gets invited to the dance by both K.C. and Connor. When it looks like their struggle for her attention will jeopardize Robot Wars, she decides to go with neither. Alli gets an anonymous rose but after asking Anya who it was, she reveals that is was Johnny who sent her the rose. When Alli asks Johnny to the Valentine's dance, he rejects her saying he can't go with her because she is a "niner" and his friends will tease him. Meanwhile, Kelly and Emma reveal their feelings for each other and go on a date.
9	152	"Lost in Love" Part Two	18 January 2009	13 February 2009	809
Desperate to win Jane back, Spinner sneaks into the Leadership Convention Jane is speaking at and proposes. When Jane turns him down, Spinner breaks up with her, but when Jane realizes she needs Spinner in her life, she worries she won't be able to win him back. Later Johnny shows up at the bot wars, and admits that he does like Alli and she persuades him to come to the dance. Clare goes to the dance with Connor to avoid hurting his feelings, but when she dances with K.C., the person she really wanted to go with, she hurts Connor anyway. Johnny shows up to the dance to Alli's pleasure. He also gives her, her first kiss and the two begin a relationship from this episode on.
10	153	"Bad Medicine"	25 January 2009	20 February 2009	810
Degrassi has won their first football game, thanks to Riley. He's suddenly become stronger, and tells Peter he is taking steroids. Riley goes on a date with Anya, only to repress his being gay. His old friend from three years ago appears, trying to get closer to him. Riley's becoming more and more violent, and severely hurts Sav. Peter confronts Riley, and Riley tells him about his childhood dreams about being a star athlete, having lots of friends, and a girlfriend. Peter tells him he could still be a star athlete and have lots of friends; being gay doesn't change that. Meanwhile, Danny sets up Leia and Derek up on a date after Derek begs and Danny realizes he likes her. Derek says it's fine, and Danny and Leia get together.
11	154	"Causing a Commotion"	8 February 2009	27 February 2009	811
The Shep wins Principal of the Year award. Clare gets mad after the Shep continually mistreats Connor. After she and their friends stick up for him, they all get detention. After Alli gets annoyed with Connor for tapping his pencil, Connor spits in her face. Alli breaks his pencil and Connor pushes Alli to the floor, causing expulsion. When Clare finds out Connor has Asperger syndrome, she realizes that Shep still will not treat him any differently. She confronts him, saying he only likes jocks, and Shep calls Connor a freak, and Clare a little bitch. When the award ceremony comes on, they show the video of Clare and Shep's argument, and the school goes against him. This also angers the board of education (and Connor's parents who threaten to file a lawsuit) and Shep almost loses his job due to the video. Instead he is suspended from his position and is ordered by the board to go to sensitivity training in order to avoid being fired because of union rules. Sav's parents understand he wants to date, but he has to marry a Muslim no matter what. Anya leaves, but the next day, Sav tells her that he would still see her, and that he doesn't care what his family says.
12	155	"Heat of the Moment"	15 February 2009	6 March 2009	812
After Holly J. humiliated Alli by asking Johnny in front of his friends if the two were in item he told Holly J. it was a lie. Alli is then pushed to the edge by Holly J., Alli creates an "I hate Holly J." group and begins posting nasty things about her on her "Facerange". When nasty turns to hateful and then to threatening, Alli is suspended from school and questioned by the police. Holly J. refuses to go back to Degrassi, and Alli is forced to apologize. After Anya talks to Holly J, Holly J. decides to go back to Degrassi. After remembering how neglected he was as a kid, Peter tells his dad he's a terrible father.
13	156	"Jane Says" Part One	1 March 2009	3 July 2009	813
The Shep has returned after his sensitivity training and it’s Spirit Week at Degrassi. However, spirits are anything but high at home for Jane as she struggles to get her dropout brother Lucas off the couch. Despite Jane’s efforts, Jane’s mom believes Lucas could benefit from some father/son time. Jane doesn’t want her father in her life. Her friends and family don’t understand why she hates him. Truthfully, neither does Jane. Danny’s new girlfriend Leia has a problem – she doesn’t fit in with Danny’s friends and lies compulsively to avoid them. Her chance to impress Danny’s posse arises at a co-ed sleepover at Peter’s pad. After she lies and says she knows Fall Out Boy, her lying goes too far when she takes the group to the Fall Out Boy concert. When they won’t let them in, the group says they won’t believe Leia anymore. The next day, Leia apologizes to Danny and he forgives her but Peter, Mia, Sav, and Anya still can’t trust anything Leia says.
14	157	"Jane Says" Part Two	8 March 2009	3 July 2009	814
Jane admits to herself that her issues with her dad go deeper than the divorce – she thinks maybe he did things to her. Jane is very confused and feels alone. Lucas gives Jane a hard time for creating tension between mom and dad. But when Lucas finally sees the truth they stand up to their father. Meanwhile, Alli persuades Clare to get a new wardrobe to impress boys. Only problem, Clare is getting more attention from boys. Can Alli handle not being the only hot gifted niner? When K.C. tries to make her feel better, Alli kisses him which she regrets.
15	158	"Touch of Grey"	15 March 2009	10 July 2009	815
Emma starts doing pot to get rid of her "plain girl" image. After ingesting marijuana brownies and forgetting to take her insulin, Becca goes into a diabetic coma and has to be taken to the hospital. While in class, Emma learns that the campus cops are doing room searches. She calls Kelly to get rid of the marijuana brownies. When Kelly is leaving the room, he runs into campus cops and they find the marijuana brownies. He gets kicked out residence but is still allowed to go to school. K.C. is found to be living in a group home because of his previous life in juvie.
16	159	"Heart of Glass"	22 March 2009	17 July 2009	816
Alli will do anything to keep Johnny from looking elsewhere. After hearing about his "history" she decides to have sex with him, losing her virginity, thinking that it will make their relationship stick. Afterwards she feels uncomfortable around him and decides to break up with him. Johnny later then tells her that he was also a virgin and that his "history" were all rumors. The two get back together with their relationship stronger than ever. Also Peter has been in touch with Darcy which leaves Mia concerned with their relationship. She confronts Peter about the letters from Darcy and asks him if he still has feelings for her. Frustrated that he doesn't have an answer she leaves him. The next day Peter tells Mia that he still loves Darcy but he's in love with Mia. Mia in turn breaks up with Peter telling him that the fact that he couldn't say who he wanted to be with when she first asked him was enough to break up with him.
17	160	"Up Where We Belong"	5 April 2009	24 July 2009	817
Stress is at an all time high at Degrassi with exams approaching and course selections due for next term but Mia's failing English and will have to re-do it unless she can ace her final assignment - a public speech on where she sees herself in five years. One problem - the speech is due tomorrow and Mia has a photo shoot tonight. Struggling with a foot in two worlds, Mia bombs her speech. Unwilling to give up the benefits of modeling money, Mia chooses to drop out of school to model full time, but after talking with her mom she decides to go back to Degrassi, realizing that her education will ultimately get her through life, whereas modeling is only a temporary career. Meanwhile Holly J has trouble bringing her Art grade up and Sav has to choose between music or engineering.
18	161	"Danger Zone"	12 April 2009	31 July 2009	818
Blue asks Holly J. to the winter dance using a romantic presentation during class, but she has a crush on her co-worker, Spinner, and she says she has to work. The truth, however, is that it was her night off, and she only wants to spend time with Spinner at the Dot Grill. When Holly J. and Spinner are alone in the Dot after work, a former Lakehurst student comes into the Dot with a gun. When Blue comes to the door, Holly J. is forced to answer and she spells out "gun" in the fog on the window. Spinner eventually gets shot by accident after the student didn't intend to come in there and hurt anybody. In panic, Holly J. reveals her feelings for Spinner. She then convinces the shooter to come out of the Dot with her, and Spinner gets rushed to the hospital with Jane by his side. Spinner says to Holly J. that if it would not have been for her, he would be dead; he had heard everything she said, but reminds her of his relationship with Jane. Holly J. leaves and shows up at the dance, where the entire room applauds her bravery. She dances with Blue and finally informs him of her financial difficulties, which is why she didn't go to the concert with him. He calls her "Holly" and they continue to dance, Holly J. smiling in his arms.
19-22	162-165	"Paradise City"[55]	30 August 2009	14 August 2009	819-822
The final four episodes of season 8 were filmed and aired as the movie "Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood." The Degrassi and Smithdale U students venture to Los Angeles. Despite issues at home, Ellie and Marco venture to L.A., as well, to visit Paige, who is now an assistant to an A-list reality TV star. Ellie then reunites with Craig, causing a reconnection between each other but bad timing and Ellie's guilt over avoiding her shellshocked father take their toll. Manny struggles to get a part in a movie, that Paige accidentally gets. Paige lets her good fortune go to her head and transforms into a demanding, obnoxious diva, insulting and belittling everyone in her mini-entourage, particularly Marco, which causes a rift in their friendship. A bad break for Paige and help from her ex Jay and the Studz eventually results in Manny's acting dream coming true at last.

DVD release

The DVD release of season eight was released online and in select stores by Echo Bridge Home Entertainment in the US on 1 September 2009, this is the second season not to be released by Alliance Atlantis Home Entertainment in Canada, or by FUNimation Entertainment in the US. As well as every episode from the season, the DVD release features the Degrassi Goes Hollywood movie and is packed with bonus material including deleted scenes, bloopers and behind-the-scenes featurettes.

The Complete Eight Season
	Set details			Special features
	18 director's cut episodes/1 movie 4-disc set 1.33:1 aspect ratio 1.78:1 aspect ratio for movie Languages: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)			Degrassi Goes Hollywood: The Movie (episodes 819-822) Bloopers Deleted scenes Podcasts Webisodes On the set webisodes "My Window" music video
	Release dates
	Region 1
	1 September 2009

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Premiere episode". CTV.ca. 2008-09-18. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061126/degrassi_schedule_061126/20080918?s_name=degrassi2006&no_ads=sky. Retrieved 2008-09-25. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Demara, Bruce (2008-10-05). "DeGrassi enrols a new class". Toronto Star (Toronto, Ontario: Torstar). http://www.thestar.com/article/511956. Retrieved 2008-10-14. 
3. ^ Dowling, Amber (2008-08-18). "'Degrassi: The Next Generation' returns". TVGuide.ca. http://tvguide.sympatico.msn.ca/Degrassi+The+Next+Generation++returns/Special_Features/Fall_Preview_2008/Articles/080811_degrassi_AD.htm?isfa=1. Retrieved 2008-09-25. ^{[dead link]}
4. ^ "Degrassi". The N. http://www.the-n.com/ntv/shows/index.php?id=67. Retrieved 2008-09-25. 
5. ^ ^{a b c d e} "New season begins October 5 on CTV". CTV Television Network. 2008-09-29. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080929/degrassi_premiere_080929/20080929?s_name=degrassi2006&no_ads=sky. Retrieved 2008-09-30. 
6. ^ Epitome Pictures. "Degrassi: The Next Generation" (Note: Requires iTunes software). The N. iTunes Store. http://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/browserRedirect?url=itms%253A%252F%252Fax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewTVSeason%253Fid%253D192438894%2526s%253D143441. Retrieved 2008-02-06. 
7. ^ "In Production". Ontario, Canada: Ontario Media Development Corporation. 2008-09-12. Archived from the original on 2008-06-02. http://web.archive.org/web/20080602103800/http://www.omdc.on.ca/Page3679.aspx. Retrieved 2008-09-25. 
8. ^ "Miriam McDonald on Growing Up Degrassi". Dose.ca (Canwest). 2008-10-03. http://www.dose.ca/tv/story.html?id=1e870901-2999-4fab-90f3-31d0a4fb158d. Retrieved 2008-10-14. 
9. ^ Ellis 2005, pp. 48–49, 52–53, 70–71, 74–75, 80–81
10. ^ ^{a b} Ellis 2005, p. 87
11. ^ Ellis 2005, p. 86
12. ^ Ellis 2005, pp. 66–67
13. ^ Ellis 2005, pp. 46–47, 68–69, 85, 78–79
14. ^ Ellis 2005, pp. 56–57
15. ^ Ellis 2005, pp. 64–65
16. ^ "ABC picks up CBC sitcom '18 to Life'". The Canadian Press (Canoe.ca). 2008-07-28. http://www.jam.canoe.ca/Television/2008/07/28/6290831-cp.html. Retrieved 2008-09-22. ^{[dead link]}
17. ^ Strachan, Alex (2008-07-31). "Toronto-born actress living it up in 90210". Canada.com. http://www.canada.com/topics/entertainment/television/story.html?id=a3a1c9ef-f020-406d-807a-d14143bd8d28. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
18. ^ Ellis 2005, p. 90
19. ^ "New Cast Members for Season 8 – Kevin Jubinville". Degrassi.tv. http://www.ctv.ca/gallery/html/s08_newcast_080918/photo_6.html. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
20. ^ Lofaro, Tony (2008-06-27). "Ottawa actress lands principal Degrassi role". Ottawa Citizen (Canada.com). http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/movies/story.html?id=7fbfd91e-7973-4a6c-a1b2-3623e28d7898. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
21. ^ "New Cast Members for Season 8 – Melinda Shankar". Degrassi.tv. http://www.ctv.ca/gallery/html/s08_newcast_080918/photo_7.html. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
22. ^ "New Cast Members for Season 8 – AJ Saudin". Degrassi.tv. http://www.ctv.ca/gallery/html/s08_newcast_080918/photo_1.html. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
23. ^ "New Cast Members for Season 8 – Sam Earle". Degrassi.tv. http://www.ctv.ca/gallery/html/s08_newcast_080918/photo_8.html. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
24. ^ "New Cast Members for Season 8 – Judy Jiao". Degrassi.tv. http://www.ctv.ca/gallery/html/s08_newcast_080918/photo_5.html. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
25. ^ "New Cast Members for Season 8 – Jordan Hudyma". Degrassi.tv. http://www.ctv.ca/gallery/html/s08_newcast_080918/photo_4.html. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
26. ^ "Local talent shines bright on hit show". Thunder Bay, Ontario: Thunder Bay Television. 2008-10-06. http://www.tbtv.com/Entertainment-Story.aspx?cid=112066. Retrieved 2008-10-14. ^{[dead link]}
27. ^ "New Cast Members for Season 8 – Argiris Karras". Degrassi.tv. http://www.ctv.ca/gallery/html/s08_newcast_080918/photo_2.html. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
28. ^ "New Cast Members for Season 8 – Evan Williams". Degrassi.tv. http://www.ctv.ca/gallery/html/s08_newcast_080918/photo_3.html. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
29. ^ ^{a b} "Get Ready As A New Class Of Degrassi Students Enroll On The New Season Of The N's Hit Teen Drama, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Friday, October 10, At 8:00 P.M. (ET)" (Press release). PR Newswire. 2008-09-25. http://channels.isp.netscape.com/celebrity/story.jsp?idq=/ff/story/3722/20080925/1149274136.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-25. 
30. ^ "New Cast Members for Season 8 – Aislinn Paul". Degrassi.tv. http://www.ctv.ca/gallery/html/s08_newcast_080918/photo_0.html. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
31. ^ "Kevin Smith lives out his Degrassi fantasy" (Press release). CTV. 2005-02-07. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1107792940370_103202140. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
32. ^ http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061126/degrassi_schedule_061126/20081022?s_name=degrassi2006&no_ads=sky
33. ^ ^{a b} Brioux, Bill (6 October 2008). "Degrassi: The Lost Generation". TV Feeds My Family. http://tvfeedsmyfamily.blogspot.com/2008/10/degrassi-lost-generation.html. Retrieved 14 October 2008. 
34. ^ Brioux, Bill (January 2008). "The Degrassi Myth". TV Feeds My Family. http://tvfeedsmyfamily.blogspot.com/2008/01/degrassi-myth.html. Retrieved 28 March 2009. 
35. ^ Brioux, Bill (14 October 2008). "Wheels Fall off Degrassi". TV Feeds My Family. http://tvfeedsmyfamily.blogspot.com/2008/10/wheels-fall-off-degrassi.html. Retrieved 28 March 2009. 
36. ^ Brioux, Bill (19 November 2008). "Grace Park Behind Border Jump". TV Feeds My Family. http://tvfeedsmyfamily.blogspot.com/2008/11/grace-park-behind-border-jump.html. Retrieved 28 March 2009. 
37. ^ Brioux, Bill (9 February 2009). "Global's Grammy no Whammy". TV Feeds My Family. http://tvfeedsmyfamily.blogspot.com/2009/02/globals-grammy-no-whammy.html. Retrieved 28 March 2009. 
38. ^ Brioux, Bill (2 March 2009). "Trump Fires Up Canadian Numbers Game". TV Feeds My Family. http://tvfeedsmyfamily.blogspot.com/2009/03/trump-fires-up-canadian-numbers-game.html. Retrieved 28 March 2009. 
39. ^ ^{a b} Brioux, Bill (10 March 2009). "CBC Throws in Designer Towel on Steven and Chris". TV Feeds My Family. http://tvfeedsmyfamily.blogspot.com/2009/03/cbc-throws-in-designer-towel-on-steven.html. Retrieved 28 March 2009. 
40. ^ Brioux, Bill (17 March 2009). "Single Female Voter Wins in a Landslide". TV Feeds My Family. http://tvfeedsmyfamily.blogspot.com/2009/03/single-female-voter-wins-in-landslide.html. Retrieved 28 March 2009. 
41. ^ Angus, Kat (3 October 2008). "Miriam McDonald on Growing Up Degrassi". Dose. Canwest. http://www.dose.ca/tv/story.html?id=1e870901-2999-4fab-90f3-31d0a4fb158d. Retrieved 28 March 2009. 
42. ^ ^{a b} Ng-See-Quan, Dani (9 November 2008). "Charlotte Arnold: From Degrassi’s Queen Bee to Confronting the Face of Poverty". andPOP. http://www.andpop.com/2008/11/09/charlotte-arnold-from-degrassis-queen-bee-to-confronting-the-face-of-poverty/. Retrieved 28 March 2009. 
43. ^ Demara, Bruce (5 October 2008). "DeGrassi enrols a new class". Toronto Star (Torstar). http://www.thestar.com/article/511956. Retrieved 28 March 2009. 
44. ^ Garraud, Tracy (25 February 2008). "Drake Day". Vibe. http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2009/02/drake_day/. Retrieved 28 March 2009. 
45. ^ Lewis, Jessica (4 November 2008). "Degrassi Gets Schooled". The Eyeopener (Toronto, Ontario: Ryerson University). http://www.theeyeopener.com/articles/3855-Degrassi-gets-schooled. Retrieved 28 March 2009. ^{[dead link]}
46. ^ Morrison, Michael (2 March 2009). "A Real Canadian Talent!". Mike's Bloggity Blog. http://mikesbloggityblog.com/2009/03/a-real-canadian-talent.html. Retrieved 30 July 2010. 
47. ^ Zeidman, Matthew B. (28 February 2009). "'Degrassi' Tackles Asberger Syndrome". Hollywood Today. http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/2009/02/28/%E2%80%98degrassi%E2%80%99-tackles-asperger-syndrome. Retrieved 28 March 2009. 
48. ^ Gorman, Brian (November 2008). "Clashing cultures a novelty for 'Degrassi' newcomer". Brantford Expositor. Zap2it (Brantford, Ontario: Sun Media Corporation). http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1276148. Retrieved 29 March 2009. 
49. ^ ^{a b} Masaki, Lyle (11 November 2008). "IMHO: "Degrassi" episode 8.05, "The Man with Two Hearts"". AfterElton (Logo). http://www.afterelton.com/blog/lylemasaki/imho-degrassi-riley-peter-man-with-two-hearts?&comment=58307. Retrieved 28 March 2009. 
50. ^ Sarpong, Jon (13 November 2008). "Canadian television must increase diversity". Toronto Community News. http://www.insidetoronto.com/article/59246. Retrieved 28 March 2009. 
51. ^ Knight, Chris (14 March 2009). "Degrassi co-creator Linda Schuyler to be honoured at Female Eye Film Festival". National Post (Don Mills, Ontario: Canwest). http://www.nationalpost.com/related/topics/story.html?id=1388142. Retrieved 28 March 2009. ^{[dead link]}
52. ^ "'Degrassi' co-creator honoured with award". The Canadian Press. CTVglobemedia. 24 February 2009. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090224/degrassi_award_090224?s_name=degrassi2006&no_ads=. Retrieved 28 March 2009. 
53. ^ "30th Annual Young Artist Awards Nominations". Young Artist Awards. 2009. http://youngartistawards.org/noms30.html. Retrieved 28 March 2009. 
54. ^ http://perezhilton.com/2009-08-18-degrassi-goes-hollywood-brings-in-the-ratings
55. ^ Aired as separate half-hour episodes in broadcast syndication

Notes

• Ellis, Kathryn (September 2005). Degrassi: Generations - The Official 411. New York, New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 978-1-4165-1680-4. 

External links

• List of Degrassi: The Next Generation episodes at IMDB.
• Season 8 at TV.com.