Kevin Smith Unveils His Next Project From The Set of TV’s Degrassi: The Next Generation, Tomorrow
– Finally….Smith and Series producers collaborate with 3-part, guest-starring role –
“When I heard some of the storylines they’re doing, my head exploded” – Kevin Smith, Oct. 1, 2004 in Entertainment Weekly Magazine
Toronto, Ontario (October 19, 2004) – It’s official. After years of mutual admiration and attempts at collaboration, television series Degrassi: The Next Generation and writer-director Kevin Smith are finally working together. CTV announced today that Smith has signed on to guest star in the series’ final three episodes of the season. Smith, who arrived in Toronto late last week for pre-production, is currently filming his scenes this week before returning home. The episodes are slated to air across Canada on CTV in early 2005.
Smith promises to reveal the full details behind the special story arc, including announcing a key “co-guest star”, when he meets with media from the set of Toronto-based Epitome Productions tomorrow morning. With the full details revealed, fans of the series are in for a thrilling ride toward another unpredictable season finale.
To his legions of fans on both sides of the border and around the world, Kevin Smith has surpassed cult hero status with a body of work that includes titles Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Dogma, the “Jersey Trilogy” of Clerks, Mallrats and Chasing Amy and his most recent title, Jersey Girl.
Smith recounted how he first encountered Degrassi in a November 1996 article he wrote for Details Magazine, entitled ‘Obsession Confession’. In the piece, Smith confesses: “I used to work at this convenience store, and on Sunday mornings the only thing that kept me from gutting the customers in a sleepy rage was Degrassi Junior High. <<…OLE_Obj…>> See, I had to put the papers together, and I did it while watching double episodes of Degrassi on PBS …” Shortly thereafter, Smith went on to create Clerks (1994), his first “Jersey” Trilogy title and even named one if its characters Caitlin, after his favourite Degrassi character.
Smith and series producer Linda Schuyler kept in touch ever since and the mutual admiration was obvious. Smith is renowned for making references to Degrassi in his movies Clerks, Mallrats, and Chasing Amy. In Chasing Amy, Jason Lee and Ben Affleck discuss their plans for the evening. Ben’s plans include clubbing. Jason, on the other hand opts for a pizza and watching Degrassi Junior High, an option that intrigues his co-star.
Plans for Smith to direct the Degrassi: TNG debut episode in 2001 fell through due to conflicting schedules, but four seasons later, Smith has continued to follow the success of the CTV series. He credits series producers for telling it like it really is. In this year’s October 1 issue of Entertainment Weekly, Smith discussed his admiration for the series, saying: “When I heard some of the storylines they’re doing, my head exploded. I’m known for frank subject matter and I wouldn’t touch that stuff.” Smith was referring to this year’s ongoing list of extreme subject matter on the series, including the Oct. 12 school-shooting episode that aired to the series biggest audience ever in its four-year history.
Smith’s production schedule for Degrassi will see him return to shoot the finishing scenes in mid-November. Degrassi: The Next Generation can be seen Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. on CTV.
Degrassi: The Next Generation is produced by Epitome Pictures in association with CTV. The series was co-created by Linda Schuyler, Co-Producer of the original Degrassi series, and Yan Moore. Schuyler, Stephen Stohn and Aaron Martin serve as Executive Producers. Shernold Edwards is the CTV production executive working with series. Bill Mustos is Senior Vice-President, Dramatic Programming for CTV. Susanne Boyce is President of CTV Programming and Chair of the Media Group.
CTV, Canada’s largest private broadcaster, offers a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming. It boasts the number-one national newscast, CTV News With Lloyd Robertson, and is the number-one choice for prime-time viewing. CTV owns 21 conventional television stations across Canada and has interests in 14 specialty channels, including the number-one Canadian specialty channel, TSN. CTV is owned by Bell Globemedia, Canada’s premier multi-media company. More information about CTV may be found on the company Web site at www.ctv.ca.
