If it wasn’t sick enough that the American view of entertainment allows for unlimited violence — on a scale equal to three civil wars — to be broadcast on television, then what’s even more disgusting is the 19th century prudish attitudes when it comes to sex, swearing, and social controversy…in other words, the REAL world.
Leave it to a Canadian institution to expose this hypocrisy. Here’s an excerpt from a CBC article about the furor over the stateside broadcast of an episode of Degreassi-The Next Generation:
‘Degrassi’ abortion episode sparks fan outcry in U.S. TORONTO - An American cable channel’s decision to postpone an abortion-themed episode of the Canadian-made teen TV series Degrassi: The Next Generation is drawing the indignation of the show’s U.S. fans.
The two-part episode focuses on a teen character’s decision to have an abortion. The N Channel announced it will postpone the episode, which first aired in Canada in January on CTV.
In a 6,000-signature petition to the Viacom-owned channel, fans call the decision “unjust” and argue that they deserve to view the episodes unedited.
“By taking these actions we feel as a whole that you are dismissing a substantial part of this season’s plot,” the petition says.
The issue also prompted a Sunday New York Times article, in which the show’s creators discuss choosing relevant topics.
“If they’re talking about it in the schoolyard, we should be able to talk about it on television,” said Linda Schuyler, creator of the current Degrassi and its predecessor, the 1980s cult favourite Degrassi Junior High.
The episodes are significant for U.S. television because not only does the 14-year-old Degrassi character choose to have an abortion, she feels no guilt or regret over her decision afterwards.
The Times article compares the Canadian show to U.S. teen-centred soaps, like Beverly Hills, 90210, Dawson’s Creek and The O.C., where characters may discuss abortion, but eventually decide to continue with the pregnancy.
Even episodes of the original Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High were trimmed/edited/shelved during their runs on US TV stations…and the concept boggles the mind!
Degrassi is one of the most realistic depictions of high school life, both today, and back during the original late 80s/early 90s run. The issues were handled with sensitivity and fairness. I still get a lump in my throat watching old episodes — those kids were ME: I was the age of the Degrassi kids as they moved from grade 8 to grade 12. Parents should be so lucky as to get a chance to expose their children to such good drama. Degrassi never preached.
The abortion episode (and a few others) eventually aired in the States following some edits and other special treatment in the form of panel discussions, online parental guides and separately filmed introductions. Frankly, that’s the worst kind of cowardice.
The United States has issues when dealing with real life as seen on television. Programmers should face facts: the 1950s Leave-it-to-Beaver/Dick Van Dyke world is GONE. Deal it with. Most of the other industrialized nations have…join the club. In fact, I highly recommend a heavy dose of viewing episodes from any of the Degrassi series — each one of them Canadian institutions!
