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The Degrassi Digest # 35 August 9th,1998
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I have just updated http://www.degrassi.org/Features/Group-Photos
They are all thumbnails, except for the first two of myself at age 15, with Degrassi High T-Shirts.

Some Northwood News: The main male character from Northwood with the big white teeth is in the new film "Dead Man on Campus"

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The Degrassi Digest is also archived at

http://www.escribe.com/tv/degrassi/

This "E-SCRIBE" service will archive future Digests, and if anyone wants to search for anything on it, there is a search tool for searching past issues on that URL.
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Degrassi World Fan Fiction Episode #16 can be found after this weeks posts, written by Natalie Earl. Submit Fan Fiction to Degrassi-World@degrassi.org
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INSIDE:

DEGRASSI Vs NORTHWOOD
The Degrassi Conspiracy Theory
spike in japan
Joey
Re: The Degrassi Digest #34
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From: "ANDREW SUTCLIFFE"
To: <post@degrassi.org>
Subject: DEGRASSI Vs NORTHWOOD
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 01:43:48 +1000

Mark,

I am shocked at your seemingly sparse regard for preservation of Degrassi sites. National Trust properties in Australia I understand can be used and occupied by the private and govt sector but they cannot be demolished or altered. All I am saying is I think these sites warrant a campaign to put a legal restriction on demolition for at least 50 years. In Australia there are an enormous number of sites on the Trust list and I can't see any reason why Canada can't show the same foresight and perhaps its time WE prompted it. One of the great myths of contemporary times is that we cannot resist change, and I for one don't subscribe to that view. We must ensure these sites stay as they are. NORTHWOOD - there has been some debate in the digest in comparison to Degrassi. Lets put things in their proper perspective. Degrassi captures Ontario while Northwood captures "wild" west Canada. Comparing Northwood to Degrassi is like comparing Rebel Without a Cause to Sound of Music. Northwood is not a thematic series like Degrassi is and more follows the formula of many Australian shows. Many have copied to make the tacky 90210 series ( which I think advertises everything that is wrong in America and why both Canada and Australia must resist such ideals ). Is anyone really ready to suggest Northwood's hustler extraordinare Michael is any comparison to Joey Jeremiah's efforts at CRA-Z radio to promote the Zit Remedy ? Or Maria resembles little Miss perfect Caitlin Ryan ? Degrassi is technically superior in most regards and has a cast with the charisma, personality & spirit that Northwood tends to lack ( not to say the acting in Northy wasn't good ). Unfortunately Northwood resembles more the American ideals than that of more British oriented eastern Canada. The contrast can be detected by the theme music alone - Northy's is serious and depressive while Degrassi is positive. The bottom line is Northy lacks the magic & optimism that radiates from Degrassi. Will be sending you soon the long awaited Degrassi ephisode - where Alison fights off Melanie, Amy and Michelle to get that long wanted date with Snake.
*Mark* I agree that it should be conserved, but I do nt think that a Canadian TV show's sets can be conserved by historical institutions...The company Playing With Time broke up and the kids have grown up...I think it is not a priority in their minds, or in the minds of a local or provincial government body. Degrassi was just more realistic, but I do not think it was technically superior.. There were a lot of errors in the episodes which can be spotted, so technically there seemed to be a lack of continuity in many of the scenes, (like the same person in the background passing by a main character twice or three times in the same sequence) A good example...At the gourmet scum concert, season 3, Two girls, Trudi and Dianna pass by the camera twice, while Shane and Luke get acid...That was spooky, seeing them pass by twice...Or the drug dealer giving them acid at the concer, then there is a far shot of the guy giving them acid again.
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Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 17:58:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: Darlene Dazzle
Subject: Degrassi publicity tours
To: post@degrassi.org

I don't think it is fair that Playing With Time hosted Degrassi publicity tours all over Canada (shopping malls, etc.) but never came to the United States. Perhaps they could not afford the air fare. Whatever the reason they were sure missed. I am surprised that they did not do more specials and spinoffs with CBC or WGBH Boston. It is like they were totally abandoned after School's Out.
*Mark* I only remembered them promoting Degrassi Talks, as I met Pat Mastroianni and Rebecca Haines in 1991. I remember Cathy Keenan and Neil Hope doing a fashion show in the Eaton Centre in the early 1990's, but I think it was because of their budget that they may have not travelled to the USA.

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From: "Tony Zagnutti"
To: mark@degrassi.org
Subject: The Degrassi Conspiracy Theory
Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 18:09:21 PDT

Hello Mark,

My name is Tony Zagnutti, and I'm from Austin, Texis. I want to
inform you about a conspiracy involving former Degrassi actors which I
think is currently taking place. Ever since the demise of the show in
the early 90's, there has been a steady increase of new stars in the
pornography industry. I believe two such stars were once former Degrassi
cast members. The one star I am positive about is Neil Hope, who played
the character of Derek Wheeler (a.k.a. Wheels). I now know for an almost
certain fact that he left the show after the series finale to become one
of the most popular male pornstars of the 90's: Jon Dough. The
similarities between Neil Hope and Jon Dough are too great to
overlook...almost bordering on the surreal. The posture, physique, and
facial structure are almost indentical, allowing for minor discrepancies
caused by aging and other external factors. Please see my attachment,
"The Degrassi Conspiracy", for a complete breakdown of the transition
from teen actor to pornstar. You may be thinking that these two actors
are not the same person and that I am basing my theory on a number of
coincidences, BUT I AM TELLING YOU OTHERWISE. What gave it away for me
is the acting style of the two actors: it is EXACTLY the SAME!!! I
noticed this when, upon watching a Jon Dough scene in which he is having
a discussion about money with his friend, he proceeds in giving his
buddy a high five and exclaiming "Right on!!". At this point (for
reasons of my own which I will not get into) I was forced to stop the
video and pretend to watch TV. Degrassi was showing on the PBS
affiliate, WDTX, and an almost identical scene was being played out
between the characters Wheels and Joey (Jeremiah). The acting and
emotion of Neil Hope in this scene was stunningly similar to what I had
just seen in the Jon Dough video (I believe it was called "Hidden
Pleasures", or something to that effect), with Wheels even giving the
identical high five while exclaiming "Your on!!" to Joey. After noticing
these striking similaries between Neil and Jon, I became convinced that
the two were one in the same. Later that night I repeatedly watched the
Jon Dough scene over and over to confirm this theory. Ever since then I
have been watching many episodes of Degrassi and porn, and have found
that another Degrassi character, Shane, is now a rising porn star going
by the name of Alex Sanders (see attachment 2, "The Degrassi Conspiracy
#2" for more details).
The similarities between the Degrassi actors and their pornstar
counterparts are too great to ignore. I am sharing my Degrassi
conspiracy theory with you, Mark, because I feel you can expose this
shocking revelation to the world by means of your web page. People must
know that their favorite teen idols: Wheels, Shane, and who knows how
many others, have a hidden darker side, a side that must be exposed in
hopes of a greater good. As for the actresses of Degrassi, I am keeping
my eyes peeled and am constantly scanning porn 24/7. I have a feeling
Stephanie Kaye may show up one of these days with an alias and a list of
porn credits to her name. We can only hope...
On a lighter note, I enjoyed your site. It's very Canadian. My
mom had a collectors spoon from Ashuwa, but she lost it in the flood. By
the way, I met a guy from Canada once, went by the name of Tim. Do you
know him?

Once again, please spread my theories. The world must know the
truth.

Sincerely,

Tony "Zagnut" Zagnutti

*Mark* I had to post this e-mail, because it was so funny. I may post his images on a page called conspiracy.htm
Another thing, although Canada has 10 times less people than the USA, we do not know people like we live in a small town.
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From: "chrystie wolfrey"
To: post@degrassi.org
Subject: spike in japan
Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 22:34:22 PDT

Did you know that Spike is currently teaching in Japan for at least another year??
*Mark* Natalie Earl has responded with this....Amanda Stepto (Spike) was supposed to leave for Japan by August 01 and that her plan was to work there, teaching English, for one to two years. I mailed Amanda a nice bon voyage letter so she knows that she is loved by the Degrassi community.
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Date: Fri, 07 Aug 1998 23:45:12 -0700
To: post@degrassi.org
From: Cat
Subject: Joey

Does anyone know what city Pat Mastroianni (Joey) is living in now? It is a long story... any information you can provide would be helpful. Thanks
*Mark* I heard that Pat commutes back and forth from Toronto and L.A. (This source was given by Yan Moore to Natalie Earl)
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Date: Fri, 07 Aug 1998 17:20:46 -0400
From: "Mary-Beth Furneaux"
To: webmaster@degrassi.org
Subject: Re: The Degrassi Digest #34

Hiya Wendy Furtenbacher

It brought a smile to my face. I'm not sure if expressing an opinion constitutes "slander" (!) but I'm cetainly glad Wendy is passionate about her shows!

L8R
Mary Beth
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End of Degrassi Digest #35- The Digest comes out on Sundays, but everyday is a Degrassi Day.
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DEGRASSI WORLD #16: RICK IS PLACED IN A FOSTER HOME

The first time Rick Munro showed up to Degrassi Junior High with bruises, he was able to convince everyone that he got into a fight with another kid. But the bruises never seemed to heal and Rick became more and more withdrawn. His grades slipped to a "D" level. Then for a whole week, he did not show up at all. Finally Miss Avery decided to pay Rick a home visit to make sure everything was okay. She caught Rick and his father in the middle of a fight. He could not deny it because a belt was in his hand when he answered the door. Their house was a filthy mess: the dishes had not been washed for weeks, the dirty clothes were piled to the ceiling, and there was hardly any food in the house. Rick's father was laid off from work a few weeks ago and has been bumming around the house ever since. He occupied his days by drinking beer and beating Rick. Rick was ditching school so he could work "under the table" at a construction site. Miss Avery called child protective services. Rick's father was arrested and Rick spent six months at "Mountain View Boys' Home". Rick actually liked the boys home because it was located on a ranch (with real horses) and the living situation was similar to a college dorm. He attended classes on the premises and participated in daily chores and counseling sessions. For the first time in his life he ate three hot meals a day and wore 100% new clothes (even Nikes). But he missed his dad and missed Degrassi so he asked if he could be placed in a facility closer to home. Rick transferred to a private foster home: Jason and Angela Morrison. His foster dad was retired from the military and his foster mom was a Sunday School teacher. Their kids were now married so they decided to become foster parents. They treated Rick as if he were their own son. Best of all, Rick was able to reenroll at Degrassi. Rick's dad visited him once a week. He was truly sorry for what happened but he did not feel that he was ready for Rick to come home yet. His father still needed to straighten out his own life before he could successfully care for Rick. Rick was not used to the Morrison's strict ways. They were nice and supportive but they tried to mold Rick into a refection of their own sons. They forced him to go to church even though Rick was an atheist. They made him get a stupid military style haircut. They forbade all the things he loved: hard rock music, swimsuit model calendars, horror movies. However, he was grateful and tolerate because he knew things could be worse. Rick spent most of his high school years with the Morrison's but he moved back in with his dad as an adult. By then his dad had learned his lesson and treated him with the highest level of respect. THE END
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