The N and DeGrassi Deals With Rape - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

SBTB Geek · 07-11-2003, 04:36 PM

Teen TV Network Explores Date Rape Issue
Wednesday July 9 1:53 PM ET

Cheerleader Paige runs through several emotions after being date-raped at a party by a high school soccer player. At first, she denies she's been raped. She's angry with herself, and angry with her friends, before directing her fury into trying to prevent her assailant from striking again.

The rape and its impact on Paige and her circle of friends is the centerpiece of a 90-minute special episode of "DeGrassi: The Next Generation," airing 8 p.m. EDT Friday on Noggin.

The teenage soap opera, produced in Canada, is the most popular prime-time show on Noggin, which is seen in 34 million homes, mostly to satellite and digital cable customers. Its programming is for preschoolers during the day and for youths aged 10 to 17 after 6 p.m.

"As much as I would like to believe that no one in our audience would have to deal with this issue, the statistics bear out that there is a certain percentage that will," said Sarah Lindman, Noggin's vice president of programming.

"DeGrassi" has tackled tough topics in the past, including drinking and drugs, coping with the death of a parent and the decision about whether or not to have sex.

That decision is taken away from Paige, portrayed by actress Lauren Collins. She's among the large cast of eighth- and ninth-graders in the mythical DeGrassi Community School.

Paige is smitten by Dean, an older soccer player from a nearby high school. He invites her and a friend to a party. Eager to get to know him better, she asks for some privacy and they head to a room upstairs. That idea backfires when they start kissing, Dean ignores Paige's pleas to stop and takes out a condom.

In the aftermath, Paige had to be convinced she was raped. She questions whether she was to blame, through her pursuit of Dean.

While the film doesn't dwell on this, the scene illustrates how it's important that teens not place themselves in situations where date rape can happen, said Dr. Martin Fisher, director of adolescent medicine at the Schneider Children's Hospital on New York's Long Island.

The rape happens early in the movie, so much of the time is spent on how Paige and her friends deal with it.

Paige is in a band with some friends, and she initially refuses to sing lyrics to a song from the perspective of an abused woman. But when the band plays at an event where Dean unexpectedly shows up, she spits out the words with such vitriol that he leaves.

To write a realistic story, the show's writers extensively researched the topic, including speaking to some women who had been raped, said Linda Schuyler, "DeGrassi" executive producer.

"It's obviously a cautionary tale," Schuyler said. "Kids are playing a really adult game when they start becoming sexually active and there are risks associated with that. We hope it will be a preventive message."

Paige waits six months before deciding to take the case to authorities, which would lessen the chance of a conviction. The movie ends before a resolution, and Lindman said it's not clear whether future "DeGrassi" episodes will go back to it.

There are things for boys to learn in the movie, too, beyond the obvious message of "no means no."

One valuable thread of the story is how Spinner, a boy who wants to date Paige, reacts to the episode. At first, he's hurt and mad at Paige, not realizing sex with Dean was nonconsensual. Later, he tries to beat Dean up at a basketball game.

The movie's final scene shows Paige and Spinner making a date.

http://tv.yahoo.com/news/ap/20030709/105778398000.html

__

I'm shocked that the network is going to deal with such a powerful issue- especially since it's main audience is children.

Nickelodeon has major guts.

Mr. Stefani · 07-11-2003, 04:38 PM

I saw the episode already. It was alright. Im surpised they are showing it..They didn't show a few episodes that aired on CTV. The most "controversial" episode they've shown so far was Jagged Little Pill. I'm sure they edited the hell out of it, like they did with all of the season 1 and 2 episodes. Like in When Doves Cry, they won't even show the kid playing chicken with the train, or his bruises from getting beat.

Swimfan85 · 07-12-2003, 08:36 PM

I watch degrassi and think that it is a good show and deals with important issues, we would watch the original degrassi in health class

*Nancy Mckeon* · 07-21-2003, 07:14 PM

i saw that ep. i thought it was really good-i liked the song that pms sang in that ep

anaïsFANxx · 07-21-2003, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by *Nancy Mckeon*
i saw that ep. i thought it was really good-i liked the song that pms sang in that ep

Yup, me too- "Poor Thing" it was a great episode. Lauren Collins ((Paige)) is a great actress. Im a Degrassi FREAK, i love that show, and this episode was amazing. But it made me really sad

*Nancy Mckeon* · 07-22-2003, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by anaïsFANxx
Yup, me too- "Poor Thing" it was a great episode. Lauren Collins ((Paige)) is a great actress. Im a Degrassi FREAK, i love that show, and this episode was amazing. But it made me really sad

*gasp* im a degrassi freak 2!! it made me sad 2!! i cried when i saw it! when ashley said that she nows more about rape than paige i got this shivering feeling in my hand! whos your fave character? mine is paige

anaïsFANxx · 07-23-2003, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by *Nancy Mckeon*
*gasp* im a degrassi freak 2!! it made me sad 2!! i cried when i saw it! when ashley said that she nows more about rape than paige i got this shivering feeling in my hand! whos your fave character? mine is paige

OMG mine is Paige too! I like her and i like Sean

wizard12 · 07-24-2003, 12:34 AM

I missed it.

Sounded like a good 90 minutes...

07-11-2003, 04:36 PM	#1
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	The N and DeGrassi Deals With Rape Teen TV Network Explores Date Rape Issue Wednesday July 9 1:53 PM ET Cheerleader Paige runs through several emotions after being date-raped at a party by a high school soccer player. At first, she denies she's been raped. She's angry with herself, and angry with her friends, before directing her fury into trying to prevent her assailant from striking again. The rape and its impact on Paige and her circle of friends is the centerpiece of a 90-minute special episode of "DeGrassi: The Next Generation," airing 8 p.m. EDT Friday on Noggin. The teenage soap opera, produced in Canada, is the most popular prime-time show on Noggin, which is seen in 34 million homes, mostly to satellite and digital cable customers. Its programming is for preschoolers during the day and for youths aged 10 to 17 after 6 p.m. "As much as I would like to believe that no one in our audience would have to deal with this issue, the statistics bear out that there is a certain percentage that will," said Sarah Lindman, Noggin's vice president of programming. "DeGrassi" has tackled tough topics in the past, including drinking and drugs, coping with the death of a parent and the decision about whether or not to have sex. That decision is taken away from Paige, portrayed by actress Lauren Collins. She's among the large cast of eighth- and ninth-graders in the mythical DeGrassi Community School. Paige is smitten by Dean, an older soccer player from a nearby high school. He invites her and a friend to a party. Eager to get to know him better, she asks for some privacy and they head to a room upstairs. That idea backfires when they start kissing, Dean ignores Paige's pleas to stop and takes out a condom. In the aftermath, Paige had to be convinced she was raped. She questions whether she was to blame, through her pursuit of Dean. While the film doesn't dwell on this, the scene illustrates how it's important that teens not place themselves in situations where date rape can happen, said Dr. Martin Fisher, director of adolescent medicine at the Schneider Children's Hospital on New York's Long Island. The rape happens early in the movie, so much of the time is spent on how Paige and her friends deal with it. Paige is in a band with some friends, and she initially refuses to sing lyrics to a song from the perspective of an abused woman. But when the band plays at an event where Dean unexpectedly shows up, she spits out the words with such vitriol that he leaves. To write a realistic story, the show's writers extensively researched the topic, including speaking to some women who had been raped, said Linda Schuyler, "DeGrassi" executive producer. "It's obviously a cautionary tale," Schuyler said. "Kids are playing a really adult game when they start becoming sexually active and there are risks associated with that. We hope it will be a preventive message." Paige waits six months before deciding to take the case to authorities, which would lessen the chance of a conviction. The movie ends before a resolution, and Lindman said it's not clear whether future "DeGrassi" episodes will go back to it. There are things for boys to learn in the movie, too, beyond the obvious message of "no means no." One valuable thread of the story is how Spinner, a boy who wants to date Paige, reacts to the episode. At first, he's hurt and mad at Paige, not realizing sex with Dean was nonconsensual. Later, he tries to beat Dean up at a basketball game. The movie's final scene shows Paige and Spinner making a date. http://tv.yahoo.com/news/ap/20030709/105778398000.html __ I'm shocked that the network is going to deal with such a powerful issue- especially since it's main audience is children. Nickelodeon has major guts.

07-21-2003, 07:14 PM	#4
Nancy Mckeon ~Amy Lee Fan~ Forum Regular Join Date: May 22, 2003 Location: my own crazy world... Posts: 878	i saw that ep. i thought it was really good-i liked the song that pms sang in that ep
	__________________ Jenn Goodnight, Sleep tight, No more tears. In the morning, Ill be here, And when we say goodnight Dry your eyes. Because we said goodnight, not goodbye We said goodnight, not goodbye ~ Evanescence~

07-11-2003, 04:38 PM	#2
Mr. Stefani Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jul 15, 2001 Posts: 20,756	I saw the episode already. It was alright. Im surpised they are showing it..They didn't show a few episodes that aired on CTV. The most "controversial" episode they've shown so far was Jagged Little Pill. I'm sure they edited the hell out of it, like they did with all of the season 1 and 2 episodes. Like in When Doves Cry, they won't even show the kid playing chicken with the train, or his bruises from getting beat.

07-12-2003, 08:36 PM	#3
Swimfan85 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 04, 2001 Posts: 7,030	I watch degrassi and think that it is a good show and deals with important issues, we would watch the original degrassi in health class

07-24-2003, 12:34 AM	#8
wizard12 Get in your home! Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 11, 2003 Location: Where else? Posts: 866	I missed it. Sounded like a good 90 minutes...