The longest-running Canadian drama is no longer the beloved “Beachcombers,” who have recently been dethroned for the hit teen coming-of-age show “Degrassi.”
Airing on MuchMusic (as well as CTV in the past), its 300th episode aired this past Friday, October 26th, which was also the 400th episode for the TV drama franchise. Airing for the first time back in 1980, it has now beat the run “The Beachcombers” had with 387 episodes.
“Very few television series have had an impact on multiple generations the way ‘Degrassi’ has,” said Catherine MacLeod, Vice-President of Specialty Channels, in an official release (as reprinted by TV-eh.com). “’Degrassi’ is still as relevant today as it was thirty years ago, and we’re proud to be a part of this moment in television history.”
“How rare and wonderful it is to have an opportunity to tell 300-plus stories about teenage life,” said Linda Schuyler, Executive Producer of Epitome Pictures, in the same statement. “This is a testament to exceptional teamwork with our cast, crew, writers and our longstanding partnerships with CTV, MuchMusic and TeenNick.”
“Degrassi” has won a number of awards, including the Peabody Award in 2011, seven Gemini Awards, and two Teen Choice Awards, as well as been nominated for slews more. It broke a number of barriers, and also became the launching pad for quite a few huge stars, including rapper Drake, who first played Jimmy Brooks on the series several years ago.
“Degrassi: The Next Generation” airs on MuchMusic Friday nights at 9pm.
Photo: muchmusic.com
Resources:
http://tvguide.ca/TVNews/Articles/121025_degrassi_record_GD.htm
Degrassi surpasses Beachcombers as longest-running Canadian drama
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0288937/
http://www.muchmusic.com/tv/degrassi/
