View source for Degrassi High

{{Short description|Canadian teen drama television series (1989–1991)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox television
| image         = Degrassi_High_logo.png
| language      = English
| genre         = [[Teen drama]]
| company       = [[Playing With Time, Inc.]]
| list_episodes = List of Degrassi High episodes
| num_episodes  = 28
| num_seasons   = 2
| related       = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[The Kids of Degrassi Street]]''
* ''[[Degrassi Junior High]]''
* ''[[Degrassi: The Next Generation]]''
* ''[[School's Out (1992 film)|School's Out]]''
}}
| last_aired    = {{End date|1991|02|18}}
| first_aired   = {{Start date|1989|11|06}}
| network       = {{plainlist|
*[[CBC Television]] (Canada)
*[[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] (United States)}}
| country       = Canada
| starring      = See [[List of Degrassi Junior High and High characters|cast here]]
| creator       = {{plainlist|
*[[Linda Schuyler]]
*[[Kit Hood]]}}
| runtime       = 30 minutes (including commercials)
}}
'''''Degrassi High''''' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by [[Linda Schuyler]] and [[Kit Hood]]. It is the third entry in the ''[[Degrassi]]'' franchise and the direct continuation of ''[[Degrassi Junior High]]'', and was broadcast on the [[CBC Television|CBC]] from 6 November 1989 to 18 February 1991.

The series follows the lives of those attending the titular fictional school. It addresses a variety of topics, ranging from mundane coming-of-age dilemmas to serious and controversial topics such as [[abortion]], [[cancer]], [[suicide]] and [[HIV/AIDS]]. It was filmed entirely on-location in Toronto, with the [[Centennial College (Canada)|Centennial College Story Arts Centre]] used as the school. The series was critically acclaimed, with particular praise afforded to the series premiere, "[[A New Start (Degrassi High)|A New Start]]", which portrayed abortion. A small controversy arose involving the episode when PBS removed a scene of [[anti-abortion]] protesters against the wishes of Hood and Schuyler. The show received six awards, including a [[:de:Stiftung Prix Jeunesse|Prix Jeunesse]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 6, 1992 |title=Kudos for Degrassi High |pages=C5 |work=The Globe and Mail}}</ref> and four [[Chris Award]]s,<ref name="DO">{{cite web|last=Polger|first=Mark Aaron|year=2005|title=Degrassi Online - Awards|url=http://awards.degrassi.ca/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108144243/http://awards.degrassi.ca/|archive-date=January 8, 2008|access-date=December 7, 2007|work=Degrassi Online}}</ref> and seven nominations, including for several actors.

The end of the series, despite good ratings, was the result of multiple behind-the-scenes problems, including creative exhaustion and the aging cast, which led to the loss of its funding. as well as the feeling that the show had run its course. A post-graduation television film, [[School's Out (1992 film)|''School's Out'']], and a non-fiction docuseries, ''[[Degrassi Talks]]'', appeared in 1992 and officially ended the franchise until its revival with ''[[Degrassi: The Next Generation]]'' (2001–2015).

{{Degrassi series}}

== Cast ==
{{Main article|List of Degrassi characters (1987–1992)}}
As a continuation of ''Degrassi Junior High'', the series does not feature a definitive cast billing. Many principal, recurring, and minor cast members of the previous series reprise their roles, including:
* [[Pat Mastroianni]] as [[Joey Jeremiah]]
* [[Stacie Mistysyn]] as [[Caitlin Ryan (Degrassi)|Caitlin Ryan]]
* [[Amanda Stepto]] as [[Christine "Spike" Nelson]]
* [[Stefan Brogren]] as Archie "Snake" Simpson
* [[Neil Hope]] as [[Derek "Wheels" Wheeler]]
* [[Anais Granofsky]] as Lucy Fernandez
* Angela and Maureen Deiseach as Erica and Heather Farrell
* Duncan Waugh as Arthur Kobalewscuy
* [[Siluck Saysanasy]] as Yick Yu
* Rebecca Haines-Saah as Kathleen Mead
* [[Sara Ballingall]] as Melanie Brodie
* Cathy Keenan as Liz O'Rourke
* [[Dayo Ade]] as BLT (Bryant Lester Thomas)
* Irene Courakos as Alexa Pappadopoulos
* Michael Carry as Simon Dexter
* [[Darrin Brown]] as Dwayne Myers
* Maureen McKay as Michelle Acette
* Christopher Charlesworth as Scooter Webster

=== Additions ===

* David Armin-Parcells as Claude Tanner, who briefly dates Caitlin Ryan. When they are caught spray-painting messages on the wall of a nuclear power plant in protest, he escapes without helping Caitlin over the fence, leading to her arrest. He [[Showtime (Degrassi High)|commits suicide]] in season two.
* [[Byrd Dickens]] as Scott Smith, a senior student who begins dating Kathleen Mead; it later transpires that he is violently abusive, and eventually Kathleen breaks up with him.
* Vincent Walsh as Patrick, an Irish-born student who briefly dates Spike. In season two, they break up offscreen, and he briefly dates Liz, much to Spike's chagrin.
* [[L. Dean Ifill]] as Basil "Bronco" Davis, president of the student council, who later starts dating Lucy.

== Development ==
[[File:Degrassi High cast.jpg|alt=A group of nine teenagers gathered in front of a chalkboard, smiling at the camera. |thumb|upright=1.35|Promotional image of the cast of ''Degrassi High''. Back row L-R: [[Siluck Saysanasy]], [[Darrin Brown]], [[Anais Granofsky]], [[Stefan Brogren]], and [[Amanda Stepto]]. Front row clockwise from left: [[Dayo Ade]], [[Pat Mastroianni]], Cathy Keenan, and [[Stacie Mistysyn]].]]

=== Concept and creation ===
''Degrassi Junior High'', which was created by [[Linda Schuyler]] and [[Kit Hood]], premiered on the CBC on 18 January 1987 and garnered widespread acclaim from critics for its realistic portrayal of teenage issues. It won several accolades, including an [[International Emmy Awards|International Emmy Award]] in 1987, and four [[Gemini Awards]] in 1988. Schuyler mentioned the prospects of continuing the show with a high school setting on multiple occasions. In April 1988, Schuyler mentioned to the ''Toronto Star'' that while she was concentrated on the third season of ''Degrassi Junior High'', a high school continuation was a "probability".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bawden |first=Jim |date=1988-04-20 |title=Degrassi's kids solve problem of junior high |pages=21 |work=The Toronto Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-degrassis-kids-solve-p/135275139/ |access-date=2023-11-21}}</ref> In November 1988, she told the ''[[Montreal Gazette]]'' that while the cast worked well together for a sequel to work, "the demographics for CBC favor staying with Junior High — so do we get an all-new cast? Or do I retire and go to tennis camp in the Caribbean?"<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wesley|first=David|date=November 5, 1988|title=Degrassi doors re-open|pages=156|work=The Gazette|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77721790/the-gazette/|access-date=May 17, 2021}}</ref> It was decided to continue with ''Degrassi High'' so that more serious and complex issues could be dealt with, including [[abortion]], which was addressed in the [[A New Start (Degrassi)|series premiere]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sontag|first=Sharon|date=November 3, 1989|title=Degrassi High moving on to meatier issues|pages=35|work=Calgary Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77721840/calgary-herald/|access-date=May 17, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Dunphy|first=Catherine|date=November 4, 1989|title=Dilemma At DeGrassi|work=[[The Toronto Star]]|url=http://news.degrassi.ca/article.php?a_id=403|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051024204911/http://news.degrassi.ca/article.php?a_id=403|archive-date=October 24, 2005}}</ref> According to Schuyler: "As the kids get older, the only way we can remain true to this age group is by growing with them. Therefore, the issues get more complex."<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Nicholls|first=Stephen|date=November 6, 1989|title=Abortion: Degrassi takes on explosive topic|pages=33|work=The Ottawa Citizen|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78783474/the-ottawa-citizen/|access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref>

On 10 January 1989, [[Greg Quill]] of the ''Toronto Star'' reported that a spokesman for the producers confirmed the development of ''Degrassi High,''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bawden |first=Jim |date=1989-01-10 |title=The Degrassi kids are graduating |pages=14 |work=The Toronto Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-the-degrassi-kids-are-g/135568354/ |access-date=2023-11-22}}</ref> but then subsequently reported on 27 February that no decision had been reportedly made about a sequel.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quill |first=Greg |date=1989-02-27 |title=Is Degrassi Jr. High gone forever? |pages=33 |work=The Toronto Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-is-degrassi-jr-high-go/135568784/ |access-date=2023-11-22}}</ref> On 13 May 1989, Sid Adilman reported in the ''Toronto Star'' that filming for ''Degrassi High'' would begin soon.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last=Adilman |first=Sid |date=1989-05-13 |title=CBC's share of audience grows while CTV's shrinks |pages=165 |work=The Toronto Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-cbcs-share-of-audience/135570089/ |access-date=2023-11-22}}</ref> In the [[Bye-Bye, Junior High|series finale]] of ''Degrassi Junior High'', the titular school is destroyed in a fire.<ref name=":1" /> To keep the entire cast together, a creative decision was made to move the younger students displaced by the fire to the new school to join those that had already graduated.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Kennedy|first=Janice|date=June 17, 1989|title=New school year has already started for the kids of Degrassi High School|pages=175|work=The Gazette|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77722019/the-gazette/|access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> Conversely, the [[grade 7]] students introduced in the third season of ''Degrassi Junior High'' were accelerated to [[grade 9]] for an unspecified reason.<ref>{{harvnb|Ellis|2005|pp=167}}</ref> To give the series a "harder-edged feel", several older characters were introduced.<ref name=":0" /> Reflecting the growing independence of the aging characters, ''Degrassi High'' began to give more focus to the characters' lives outside of school, with scenes taking place at nighttime, on the street, or at the characters' jobs.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|last=Barss|first=Karen|date=1990|title=What's New at Degrassi|page=3|work=Degrassi High Newspaper|publisher=[[WGBH Educational Foundation|WGBH]]|url=https://archive.org/details/degrassi-high-season-1-newspaper/page/n1/mode/2up|access-date=October 13, 2021}}</ref> In contrast to ''Degrassi Junior High'', in which the extras were still made known to the viewers, the newer series would include a team of "extra extras", who would simply appear for no other purpose than to fill the background.<ref name=":8" />[[File:Centennial College - Story Arts Centre.jpg|thumb|The Centennial College Story Arts Centre, where ''Degrassi High'' was filmed, pictured in 2022.]]

=== Filming ===
Filming for ''Degrassi High'' started in May 1989,<ref name=":10" /> and ended in October 1990.<ref name=":4">{{Cite magazine |last=Pryor |first=Kelli |date=April 12, 1991 |title=Degrassi High |url=https://ew.com/article/1991/04/12/degrassi-high-2/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |language=en |access-date=May 3, 2021}}</ref> The series was filmed at the Story Arts Centre of [[Centennial College (Canada)|Centennial College]], located on Toronto's Carlaw Avenue. Formerly a teacher's college, the building was previously used to hold auditions for ''[[Ida Makes a Movie]]'', the first episode of ''[[The Kids of Degrassi Street]]'' and the first installment of the ''Degrassi'' franchise, in 1979.<ref>{{harvnb|Ellis|2005|pp=111}}</ref> The building was chosen as despite being part of a college, it more closely resembled a high school.<ref name=":8" /> Other filming locations included the Rose Donut Shop on Carlaw Avenue, where character Michelle Accette briefly works after moving away from her conservative father.<ref>{{harvnb|Ellis|2005|pp=110}}</ref>

=== Opening sequence ===
The ''Degrassi High'' theme song, composed by Lewis Manne and Wendy Watson and sung by Watson. is a reworking of the ''Degrassi Junior High'' theme song, this time transposed to a different key. It follows the same format as its predecessor, with various scenes of characters in and around the school, omitting individual cast credits. The opening sequence ends with a zooming shot of a girl's backside as the logo is displayed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Shamus |date=2019-09-03 |title=The Evolution of Degrassi Opening Themes |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-evolution-of-degrassi-opening-themes/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref>

The opening sequence contains scenes not included in the final cut, such as a shot of Arthur Kobalewscuy reacting to peanut butter smeared all over his bike; [[Kit Hood]] later said the scene and plotline surrounding it did not make the cut as the actor had grown too much to be a believable bullying victim.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 15, 2007|title=Kit Hood Interview July 1998|url=http://www.degrassi.ca/Interviews/kit-hood-interview.htm|access-date=May 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015073621/http://www.degrassi.ca/Interviews/kit-hood-interview.htm|archive-date=October 15, 2007}}</ref>

=== Sets and design ===
According to Kathryn Ellis, "A ''Degrassi'' character's bedroom is the most telling set for that character".<ref name=":6">{{harvnb|Ellis|2005|pp=118}}</ref> The bedroom of character Lucy Fernandez was made from drywall and located in the school library, with her bed being the same used in other character's bedrooms.<ref name=":6" /> The childhood bedroom of character Liz O'Rourke, seen in a dream sequence in an episode where the character struggles with memories of her childhood sexual abuse, was made to look "larger than life" to make the young Liz seem extremely small, with the walls being painted blue for a "cool, almost cold atmosphere".<ref name=":7">{{harvnb|Ellis|2005|pp=119}}</ref> For the bedroom of character Arthur Kobalewscuy, various items from the previous series were re-used, as well as rock posters of the fictional group Gourmet Scum, to indicate that the character was maturing in his tastes.<ref name=":7" />

== End of the series ==
Despite its continued critical and commercial acclaim, multiple factors contributed to the end of ''Degrassi'' in 1991. Kit Hood had become exhausted and frustrated by television work, having reluctantly agreed to the second season of ''Degrassi High'' "to please the network and fans",<ref name=":52">{{Cite web |last=Earl |first=Natalie |date=2007-10-15 |title=Kit Hood Interview Part 2 |url=http://www.degrassi.ca/Interviews/KitHood-Interview-part2.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015074103/http://www.degrassi.ca/Interviews/KitHood-Interview-part2.htm |archive-date=October 15, 2007 |access-date=2022-02-23 }}</ref> and the partnership between Hood and Schuyler, both creatively and personally, was deteriorating. Schuyler detailed in her memoir ''The Mother Of All Degrassi'' that Hood was becoming increasingly temperamental towards the end of production; when learning of the second season renewal, he accused Schuyler of manipulating him and head writer [[Yan Moore]] into doing "a year's work that we don't want to do".<ref>{{harvnb|Schuyler|2022|pp=137|year=2022}}</ref> Compounding this was WGBH's difficulty procuring funding from the PBS's children's department due to the aging cast, and consequently being forced to withdraw from the show.<ref name=":122">{{harvnb|Schuyler|2022|pp=146|year=2022}}</ref>

In spite of these mounting issues, both Hood and Schuyler felt the series had run its course and wanted it to end before it became stale and predictable. In a 1990 news interview, Schuyler explained that they wanted to end the series "while we were still feeling good about what we were doing", and that if they were to continue the series, they would have to "completely re-vamp it" and "bring in a new set of characters", something they did not want to do.<ref name=":20">{{Cite news |last=Nicholls |first=Stephen |date=1990-11-01 |title=Degrassi crew to close books |pages=16 |work=The Windsor Star |agency=Canadian Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110604208/the-windsor-star/ |access-date=2022-10-02}}</ref> Schuyler noted that most of the cast were occupied with post-secondary education, and that she felt the show had already tackled what they had aimed to.<ref name=":20" /> In a 1998 web interview with fan site owner Natalie Earl, Hood elaborated:<ref name=":52" />

{{Blockquote|text=The kids were getting older and we had covered every conceivable topic. The most prominent characters were graduating and we didn't feel comfortable with introducing a new class. We could have used Joey, as it was established that he had flunked a grade, (we could have kept on flunking him, I guess) but what were we supposed to with the other actors? What was the point, other than to drag out the show? The show had run its course. We wanted to get out while it was still hot. We didn't want to reach the point where the viewers could predict that show's formula and outcomes.}}Schuyler informed CBC programming chief [[Ivan Fecan]] that they would not be able to produce any more of ''Degrassi High''. Fecan enthusiastically accepted Schuyler's proposal to end the series with a feature-length film.<ref name=":122" />

== Episodes ==

===Season 1 (1989–1990)===
{{Episode table |background=#BCF4FF |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |prodcode= |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 1
| EpisodeNumber2  = 1
| Title           = A New Start: Part 1
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1989|11|06}}
| ProdCode        = 101
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = BCF4FF
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 2
| EpisodeNumber2  = 2
| Title           = A New Start: Part 2
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1989|11|06}}
| ProdCode        = 102
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = BCF4FF
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 3
| EpisodeNumber2  = 3
| Title           = Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Susin Nielsen
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1989|11|13}}
| ProdCode        = 103
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = BCF4FF
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 4
| EpisodeNumber2  = 4
| Title           = Dream On
| DirectedBy      = John Bertram
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1989|11|20}}
| ProdCode        = 104
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = BCF4FF
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 5
| EpisodeNumber2  = 5
| Title           = Everybody Wants Something
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1989|11|27}}
| ProdCode        = 105
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = BCF4FF
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 6
| EpisodeNumber2  = 6
| Title           = Nobody's Perfect
| DirectedBy      = Eleanor Lindo
| WrittenBy       = Susin Nielsen
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1989|12|05}}
| ProdCode        = 106
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = BCF4FF
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 7
| EpisodeNumber2  = 7
| Title           = Just Friends
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Kathryn Ellis
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1989|12|12}}
| ProdCode        = 107
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = BCF4FF
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 8
| EpisodeNumber2  = 8
| Title           = Little White Lies
| DirectedBy      = John Bertram
| WrittenBy       = Susin Nielsen
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1989|12|19}}
| ProdCode        = 108
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = BCF4FF
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 9
| EpisodeNumber2  = 9
| Title           = Sixteen: Part 1
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1990|01|09}}
| ProdCode        = 109
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = BCF4FF
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 10
| EpisodeNumber2  = 10
| Title           = Sixteen: Part 2
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1990|01|09}}
| ProdCode        = 110
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = BCF4FF
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 11
| EpisodeNumber2  = 11
| Title           = All in a Good Cause
| DirectedBy      = Eleanore Lindo
| WrittenBy       = Susin Nielsen
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1990|01|16}}
| ProdCode        = 111
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = BCF4FF
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 12
| EpisodeNumber2  = 12
| Title           = Natural Attraction
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1990|01|23}}
| ProdCode        = 112
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = BCF4FF
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 13
| EpisodeNumber2  = 13
| Title           = Testing One, Two, Three..
| DirectedBy      = John Bertram
| WrittenBy       = Susin Nielsen
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1990|01|30}}
| ProdCode        = 113
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = BCF4FF
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 14
| EpisodeNumber2  = 14
| Title           = It Creeps!!
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1990|02|06}}
| ProdCode        = 114
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = BCF4FF
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 15
| EpisodeNumber2  = 15
| Title           = Stressed Out
| DirectedBy      = John Bertram
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1990|02|13}}
| ProdCode        = 115
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = BCF4FF
}}
}}

===Season 2 (1990–1991)===
{{Episode table |background=#FF54A2 |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |prodcode= |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 16
| EpisodeNumber2  = 1
| Title           = Bad Blood: Part 1
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1990|11|05}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Janice |date=1990-11-03 |title=Degrassi High opens its doors for one more season of adventure |pages=139 |work=The Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110745479/degrassi-high-opens-its-doors-for-one/ |access-date=2022-10-05}}</ref>
| ProdCode        = 201
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = FF54A2
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 17
| EpisodeNumber2  = 2
| Title           = Bad Blood: Part 2
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1990|11|12}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=1990-11-10 |title=Monday November 12 |pages=149 |work=The Ottawa Citizen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112405178/monday-november-12/ |access-date=2022-11-02}}</ref>
| ProdCode        = 202
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = FF54A2
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 18
| EpisodeNumber2  = 3
| Title           = Loyalties
| DirectedBy      = John Bertram
| WrittenBy       = Susin Nielsen
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1990|11|19}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=1990-11-16 |title=Monday (continued) |pages=62 |work=The Sun Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112405344/monday-continued/ |access-date=2022-11-02}}</ref>
| ProdCode        = 203
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = FF54A2
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 19
| EpisodeNumber2  = 4
| Title           = A Tangled Web
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1990|11|26}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=1990-11-23 |title=TV Program Guide |pages=40 |work=Alberni Valley Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112405387/tv-program-guide/ |access-date=2022-11-02}}</ref>
| ProdCode        = 204
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = FF54A2
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 20
| EpisodeNumber2  = 5
| Title           = Body Politics
| DirectedBy      = Phillip Earnshaw
| WrittenBy       = Susin Nielsen
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1990|12|03}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=1990-12-01 |title=Monday, December 3 |pages=174 |work=The Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112405428/monday-december-3/ |access-date=2022-11-02}}</ref>
| ProdCode        = 205
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = FF54A2
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 21
| EpisodeNumber2  = 6
| Title           = Crossed Wires
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1990|12|10}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=1990-12-07 |title=Monday, December 10, 1990 |pages=36 |work=Nanaimo Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112405465/monday-december-10-1990/ |access-date=2022-11-02}}</ref>
| ProdCode        = 206
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = FF54A2
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 22
| EpisodeNumber2  = 7
| Title           = The All-Nighter
| DirectedBy      = Eleanore Lindo
| WrittenBy       = Kathryn Ellis
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1991|01|07}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=1991-01-07 |title=8:30 |pages=37 |work=The Province |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112406005/830/ |access-date=2022-11-02}}</ref>
| ProdCode        = 207
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = FF54A2
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 23
| EpisodeNumber2  = 8
| Title           = Home Sweet Home
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Susin Nielsen
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1991|01|14}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=1991-01-12 |title=Monday, January 14 |pages=136 |work=The Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112406073/monday-january-14/ |access-date=2022-11-02}}</ref>
| ProdCode        = 208
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = FF54A2
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 24
| EpisodeNumber2  = 9
| Title           = Extracurricular Activities
| DirectedBy      = John Bertram
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1991|01|21}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Janice |date=1991-01-19 |title=Final season is winding down for the kids of Degrassi High |pages=118 |work=The Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110745254/final-season-is-winding-down-for-the/ |access-date=2022-10-05}}</ref>
| ProdCode        = 209
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = FF54A2
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 25
| EpisodeNumber2  = 10
| Title           = Showtime: Part 1
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1991|01|28}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Janice |first=Kennedy |date=1991-01-26 |title=Degrassi's look at teenage suicide restrained and sensitive |pages=67 |work=The Ottawa Citizen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84212185/degrassis-look-at-teenage-suicide/ |access-date=2022-10-05}}</ref>
| ProdCode        = 210
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = FF54A2
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 26
| EpisodeNumber2  = 11
| Title           = Showtime: Part 2
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1991|02|04}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=1991-02-04 |title=8:30 |pages=37 |work=The Province |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112405761/the-province/ |access-date=2022-11-02}}</ref>
| ProdCode        = 211
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = FF54A2
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 27
| EpisodeNumber2  = 12
| Title           = Three's a Crowd
| DirectedBy      = Phillip Earnshaw
| WrittenBy       = Susin Nielsen
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1991|02|11}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=1991-02-11 |title=8:30 |pages=41 |work=The Province |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112405778/the-province/ |access-date=2022-11-02}}</ref>
| ProdCode        = 212
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = FF54A2
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 28
| EpisodeNumber2  = 13
| Title           = One Last Dance
| DirectedBy      = Kit Hood
| WrittenBy       = Yan Moore
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1991|02|18}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Riches |first=Hester |date=1991-02-18 |title=Degrassi grads looking for meaningful work |pages=13 |work=The Vancouver Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110745392/degrassi-grads-looking-for-meaningful/ |access-date=2022-10-05}}</ref>
| ProdCode        = 213
| ShortSummary    = 
| LineColor       = FF54A2
}}
}}

== Release ==
=== First-run broadcast ===
Degrassi High premiered on November 6, 1989, on CBC with the two-part episode "[[A New Start (Degrassi High)|A New Start]]", a week following the documentary ''[[Degrassi Between Takes]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Riches|first=Hester|date=October 30, 1989|title=Audiences eagerly await Degrassi kick-off|pages=20|work=The Vancouver Sun|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78783642/the-vancouver-sun/|access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> In the United States, the series debuted on January 14, 1990, on [[PBS]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Southgate|first=Martha|date=January 14, 1990|title='Degrassi High': Unflinching look at teens|pages=124|work=The Des Moines Register|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78784152/the-des-moines-register/|access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> In Australia, it debuted on [[ABC TV (Australian TV network)|ABC TV]] on September 2, 1990.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Geddes|first=Margaret|date=September 9, 1990|title='Degrassi' has real life touch|url=http://news.degrassi.ca/article.php?a_id=201|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018210628/http://news.degrassi.ca/article.php?a_id=201|archive-date=October 18, 2007|access-date=June 2, 2021|website=The Age}}</ref> On the ABC, broadcasts of the series were preceded with a disclaimer that read: "Viewer Advice: The following episode of ''Degrassi High'' contains themes appropriate to a teenage audience. Some parents may consider it inappropriate for younger children".<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Degrassi High|url=https://about.abc.net.au/complaints/degrassi-high/|access-date=June 2, 2021|website=About the ABC|language=en-AU}}</ref> Re-runs aired on ABC-TV until 1995.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 31, 1999|title=E-mailer 'stalked soap star'|pages=4|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79104341/the-sydney-morning-herald/|access-date=June 7, 2021}}</ref>

=== Post-broadcast distribution ===
The series continued in re-runs on [[CBC Television|CBC]] during the late 1990s. On September 1, 1997, the series debuted on [[Showcase (Canadian TV channel)|Showcase]], where it aired back-to-back with ''Degrassi Junior High''.<ref>{{Cite press release|title=Award-Winning Degrassi Junior High And Degrassi High Come To Showcase Television|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914121315/http://news.degrassi.ca/article.php?a_id=210|archive-date=September 14, 2007|publisher=[[Showcase (Canadian TV channel)|Showcase]]|url=http://news.degrassi.ca/article.php?a_id=210}}</ref>

=== Home media and streaming ===
The series was released on VHS by [[WGBH-TV]] Boston Home Video<ref>{{Cite press release|title=BY POPULAR DEMAND, WGBH BOSTON VIDEO RELEASES THE DEGRASSI JUNIOR HIGH AND DEGRASSI HIGH SERIES|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121070544/http://news.degrassi.ca/article.php?a_id=195|publisher=WGBH|date=April 5, 1999|url=http://news.degrassi.ca/article.php?a_id=195|archive-date=November 21, 2007}}</ref> in the United States on March 7, 2000, both as separate tapes containing two episodes each and a full box set.<ref>{{Citation|last=Earnshaw|first=Philip|title=Degrassi High: Loyalties/It Creeps!|date=March 7, 2000|url=https://www.amazon.com/Degrassi-High-Loyalties-Creeps-VHS/dp/B00004DS8S/|access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Earnshaw|first=Philip|title=Degrassi High Collection|date=March 7, 2000 |url=https://www.amazon.com/Degrassi-High-Collection-Set-VHS/dp/B00004DS8M|publisher=PBS|access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> It was later released as part of the ''Degrassi High: The Complete Collection'' DVD box set by WGBH on October 9, 2007,<ref name="R12">{{cite web|title=Correct release date plus front & rear artwork|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=7429|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205025525/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=7429|archive-date=February 5, 2013|access-date=June 5, 2007|work=TVShowsOnDVD.com}}</ref> and the ''Degrassi High Collection'' set by Force Entertainment in Australia on March 12, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Degrassi High Collection |url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2105282/Degrassi-High-Collection|access-date=June 1, 2021|website=Sanity |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Degrassi High collection.|date=2008|publisher=Force [distributor]|location=Australia|oclc=269593812}}</ref>

In July 2023, ''Degrassi High'' and ''School's Out'' were made available on [[Amazon Prime Video]] in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WILDBRAIN EXPANDS OFFERING ON PRIME VIDEO WITH TRIO OF NEW INTERNATIONAL CONTENT DEALS |url=https://www.wildbrain.com/newsreleases/wildbrain-expands-offering-on-prime-video-with-trio-of-new-international-content-deals/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=WildBrain |date=August 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" text-align: center"
! rowspan="2" scope="col" style="width: 3em;" |Season
! rowspan="2" scope="col" style="width: 10em;" |Set details
! colspan="3" scope="col" |[[DVD]] release dates
! rowspan="2" scope="col" |Special features
|-
! scope="col" style="width: 12em; font-size: 100%;" |[[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|Region 1]]
! scope="col" style="width: 12em; font-size: 100%;" |[[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|Region 2]]
! scope="col" style="width: 12em; font-size: 100%;" |[[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|Region 4]]
|-
! scope="row" | Degrassi High: The Complete Series
|
* Discs: 4
* Episodes: 29
* [[1.33:1]] aspect ratio
|October 9, 2007<ref>{{Citation|title=Degrassi High – The Complete Collection|date=October 9, 2007|url=https://www.amazon.com/Degrassi-High-Complete-Collection/dp/B000R5OFPO|publisher=PBS|access-date=May 28, 2021}}</ref>

December 13, 2016<ref>{{Citation|title=Degrassi High: Degrassi High Complete Series DVD|date=December 13, 2016|url=https://www.amazon.com.au/Degrassi-High-Complete-DVD/dp/B01M6WOTUT|publisher=PBS Distribution|access-date=May 29, 2021}}</ref>
|
|
*
|Region 1:

* Pop Quiz! - ''Degrassi High'' trivia
*''Degrassi High'' wallpaper
*Printable materials for educators
*Printable cast interviews
|-
! scope="row" | Degrassi High Collection
|
*Discs: 5 (includes ''School's Out'' on separate disc)
* Episodes: 29
* [[1.33:1]] aspect ratio
|
|
|March 12, 2008
|N/A
|}

== Reception and impact ==
=== Critical reception ===
As with ''Degrassi Junior High'', ''Degrassi High'' was largely acclaimed by critics for many of the same reasons as the previous series. The premiere episode, "[[A New Start (Degrassi High)|A New Start]]". which centres on a student becoming pregnant and deciding to have an abortion, was a particular point of praise; writing for the ''[[The Toronto Star|Toronto Star]]'', [[Antonia Zerbisias]] acclaimed the episode and called it "a gutsy show, particularly in the light of the current political and emotional climate [of the 1980s]", and singled out the even-handed portrayal of [[abortion]] and the [[Abortion debate|polarisation surrounding the topic]]. Furthermore, she quipped that if the show was an American prime time show, "the whole thing would turn out to be a hilarious mix-up. We'd have lots of eye-rolling, sophomoric one-liners about burgeoning bellies and then ooops! Turns out the smart alec kid brother merely murdered the bunny for a school science project."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Zerbisias|first=Antonia|date=November 5, 1989|title=Degrassi High could give lessons |url=http://news.degrassi.ca/article.php?a_id=406|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051024205033/http://news.degrassi.ca/article.php?a_id=406|archive-date=October 24, 2005|access-date=June 2, 2021|website=[[The Toronto Star]]}}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Province]]'', Lee Bacchus had mixed feelings about the debut. While feeling the show continued its predecessor's realism, Bacchus felt that it simplified the issue to "the bumper-sticker level of righteous moralism" and "lofty platitudes".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bacchus|first=Lee|date=November 6, 1989|title=Kids too young to call this|pages=35|work=The Province|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77825530/the-province/|access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref>

Overall reviews of the series were similarly positive. Writing for ''[[The Age]]'', Margaret Geddes declared that the series gave Australian soap operas such as ''[[Neighbours]]'' and ''[[Home and Away]]'' "a run for their money", but unlike the "trite morality plays" she felt were pervasive in those shows, ''Degrassi High'' was more realistic and thoughtful. Furthermore, she noted a comparison between the series and the British series ''[[Grange Hill]]''.<ref name=":3" /> Writing for ''[[The Los Angeles Times]]'', Lynne Heffley declared that ''Degrassi High'' had proved itself to be one of the "gutsiest shows on television".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Heffley|first=Lynne|date=January 13, 1990|title=TV Reviews : 'Degrassi High,' 'Wonderworks' Return to PBS|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-01-13-ca-71-story.html|access-date=June 2, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214120/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-01-13-ca-71-story.html |archive-date=June 2, 2021 }}</ref> Profiling the show in the lead-up to the debut of its final season, Kelli Pryor of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' wrote: "In a television landscape where the high jinks of characters like the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] network’s [[Parker Lewis Can't Lose|Parker Lewis]] often define high school life, ''Degrassi'' stands out as the ''[[thirtysomething]]'' of the book-bag set."<ref name=":4" />

=== Censorship ===
The series premiere was shown uncensored on [[CBC Television|CBC]]. In the United States, scenes of anti-abortion protesters were removed by [[PBS]]. Kate Taylor, co-producer of the series and of [[WGBH Educational Foundation]], defended this as an "[a]esthetic decision" that made for a "more powerful, more poignant" ending.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 4, 1989|title=Degrassi High edited by PBS|pages=37|work=The Ottawa Citizen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78784384/the-ottawa-citizen/|access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> This was done without the permission of Playing With Time, the show's production company, with Kit Hood denouncing it as "an American ending -- happy, safe but incomplete" and requesting his name be removed from the PBS broadcast credits.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pai|first=Tanya|date=January 25, 2016 |title=Degrassi, the Canadian teen soap that gave us Drake, explained|website=Vox |language=en |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/1/25/10826146/degrassi-netflix-explained |access-date=April 5, 2021}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Haslett Cuff|first=John |date=November 3, 1989|title=Degrassi High creators up in arms over PBS cuts to abortion episode|work=[[The Globe And Mail]]}}</ref> Likewise, when the series re-ran on [[Noggin (brand)|Noggin]]'s teen block [[The N]] in 2005, "A New Start" was omitted,<ref name="ep2">{{cite web|title=A New Start (2)|url=http://www.tv.com/degrassi-high/a-new-start-2/episode/280228/summary.html|access-date=October 12, 2005|work=TV.com|archive-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517063742/http://www.tv.com/degrassi-high/a-new-start-2/episode/280228/summary.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> as well as the third episode "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do", as it referenced the events of "A New Start".<ref name="ep3">{{cite web |title=Breaking Up Is Hard To Do |url=http://www.tv.com/degrassi-high/breaking-up-is-hard-to-do/episode/280229/summary.html |access-date=October 12, 2005 |work=TV.com |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929162630/http://www.tv.com/degrassi-high/breaking-up-is-hard-to-do/episode/280229/summary.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> When the episode "It Creeps!", which centres around several students shooting a horror movie in the school, aired on ABC-TV in Australia in 1991, various scenes depicting graphic violence were removed. When the episode was shown again unedited on [[ABC2]] on March 28, 2009, two viewers complained.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Degrassi High - It Creeps! - ABC2 Television Guide |website=www.abc.net.au |url= https://www.abc.net.au/tv/guide/abc2/200903/programs/ZZ3109A014D28032009T140200.htm|access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

'''Sources'''
* {{Cite book|last=Ellis|first=Kathryn|title=The official 411 Degrassi generations |date=2005|publisher=Fenn Pub. Co |isbn=1-55168-278-8 |oclc=59136593}}
* {{Cite book |last=Schuyler |first=Linda |title=The mother of all Degrassi : a memoir |date=2022 |location=Toronto |isbn=978-1-77041-683-3 |oclc=1309065167}}

{{Degrassi}}{{Playing With Time, Inc. and Epitome Pictures}}

[[Category:Degrassi|High]]
[[Category:Television series about bullying]]
[[Category:CBC Television original programming]]
[[Category:1989 Canadian television series debuts]]
[[Category:1991 Canadian television series endings]]
[[Category:Canadian television soap operas]]
[[Category:1980s Canadian high school television series]]
[[Category:1990s Canadian high school television series]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Toronto]]
[[Category:Television shows filmed in Toronto]]
[[Category:Sequel television series]]
[[Category:1980s Canadian teen drama television series]]
[[Category:1990s Canadian teen drama television series]]
[[Category:Television series by WildBrain]]
[[Category:Canadian television series about teenagers]]
[[Category:Fictional high schools]]
[[Category:Coming-of-age television shows]]
[[Category:Canadian English-language television shows]]