What er yeh talking aboot?

Have you ever really thought about Canada? When you think about it, it's kind of weird, you know?
My impression of how Canadian people are is very skewed, most likely false, and highly based on Degrassi.




But seriously, I thought Degrassi was an American show until the 3rd season, when they mentioned Toronto. How could I have been so naive, you ask? I am sure you caught on to the "aboots" but I didn't until this fantastic revelation that hit me early in high school. I mean, if you were to move to Canada, you know how weird that would be, being an ex-American? It'd be like, EXACTLY THE SAME, but different. The people would look like americans, being diverse and all, with mostly caucasians. They would speak English (some would speak french, sure, but we're talking about Degrassi canadians here). And the landscape/environment/plants would look relatively the same (again, Degrassi). So what would be the difference?

I guess like I mentioned before, they would have the "aboot" accent on certain words, but it wouldn't be that obvious. And it'd be really strange, not having an MLK Jr. Day, or President's Day or 4th of July. Or thanksgiving! They have a different Thanksgiving, which I am not even sure what they celebrate. I just know that Cassie Steele celebrates with Tofurky. And Christmas would have the accompanying Boxing Day.

And have you ever wondered what the ruling of Canada was? Like, is it a monarchy? Democracy? Or what? I looked it up on the old faithful wikipedia and I was informed that it is, in fact, a monarchy. So, do people bash the queen of Canada like they do with George W. Bush? Or any president for that matter? Are there "sides" like with democrats and republicans? I guess there wouldn't be any...unless there were like "for the queen" people and "against the queen" people. Or neither, because they sure as hell don't want to re-create America.

And they have more freedom to televise stuff about abortions or other controversial topics.

I mean, am I the only one who didn't know this, or hasn't ever thought about this? I mean, I can't be the only one, right? Feel free to comment.





And let's talk Canadian TV.

If you watch Disney and The-N, you have a sampling of the finest Canadian teen shows. And you also have the sampling of the select 20 teen actors they have. Seriously, they recycle the actors for every show in Canada, it's crazy. You'd think the population is close to that of McLeansboro, Illinois, with their lack of stars. Degrassi is like the Mickey Mouse Club of Canadian Television, and they branch off from there. Take, for example, the following shows:

• Degrassi: The Next Generation (had guests like Kate Todd, Genelle Williams, and Nathan Stephenson, from RFR. Charlotte Arnold from Naturally Sadie)
• Naturally Sadie (with Miriam McDonald, Shenae Grimes, Ephraim Ellis from Degrassi, Michael Seater from Life With Derek)
• Life With Derek (has had guests like Lauren Collins, Ryan Cooley, Shane Kippel, Kit Weyman from Degrassi)
• I Was A 6th Grade Alien (Ryan Cooley, Lauren Collins, Daniel Clark, Deanna Casaluce from Degrassi, Ashley Leggat and Shadia Simmons from Life With Derek)
• Radio Free Roscoe aka RFR (guests incl. Steve Belford, Lauren Collins, Jake Epstein, Paula Brancati from Degrassi, William Greenblat from Life With Derek)
• Instant Star, granted, the creator is the same as for Degrassi, but still... (guests include Cassie Steele and Skye Regan (an extra from many Degrassi episodes)
• Pecola (Jake Goldsbie, Miriam McDonald from Degrassi)
• The Zack Files (Daniel Clark, Jake Epstein from Degrassi, Ashley Leggat and Shadia Simmons from Life with Derek)
• Are You Afraid Of The Dark (Daniel Clark and Ryan Cooley from Degrassi, Michal Seater and Shadia Simmons from Life With Derek, Justin Bradley from Naturally Sadie)
• Wild Card (Jamie Johnston, Steve Belford, Ephraim Ellis and Dalmar Abuzeid (danny van zandt) from Degrassi, Michael Seater from Life With Derek)

And movies, they do it too! The following movies have the same canadian actors, too...

• The Poet (Nina Dobrev, Miriam McDonald from Degrassi)
• Charlie Bartlett (Lauren Collins, Jake Epstein, Aubrey Graham from Degrassi, Michael D'Ascenzo from Naturally Sadie)
• Devil's Diary (Alexz Johnson, Miriam McDonald, Deanna Casaluce from Degrassi)
• The Red Sneakers (Sarah Barrable-Tishauer, Jake Goldsbie from Degrassi)
• Picture This! (Shenae Grimes, Lauren Collins from Degrassi, Justin Bradley from Naturally Sadie)
• It's a Boy Girl Thing (Genelle Williams from RFR and John Bregar from Degrassi)
• Quints (Shadia Simmons from Life With Derek, Jake Epstein from Degrassi)

and even American shows are loving some Canadian blood:

• The Best Years (Cassie Steele, Mike Lobel, Lauren Collins from Degrassi)

And trust me, there are a kazillian more, I just got sick of writing them all.


I guess if you are born in the mid to late 80's in Canada, you will be a very successful actor.

PS, in that extensive IMDB search I found that Jake Goldsbie (Toby) was in more episodes than Adamo Ruggiero (Marco) on Degrassi. And Marco has had more plot lines, like being gay, having a gambling problem, running for school president, etc...and Toby has had....none. Unless you count the...nope, none. I sometimes feel bad for Toby, 'specially since he's been on it since the 1st episode, and is literally the ONLY character to not have character development.


Learn anything new? Think of anything I didn't cover? Comment.