Back To Degrassi Podcast

Aug 5th, 2016. Guest Matt Klopot (@mattskindafunny) joins your host Tim McDonald (@TimFMMcDonald) to discuss the final episode of Junior High! Bye-Bye Junior High! It's a farewell to the school and the final episode of junior high as the show hits puberty and becomes HIGH! The third term at Degrassi Junior High ends with a bang. Wheels passes algebra, but Spike is not so lucky. Joey's grades show improvement, allowing him to attend the graduation dance with Caitlin. Meanwhile, the fire alarm system has a surprise in store for everyone at the dance.

Jul 26th, 2016. This week, Jay Freeborn (@Jay2theFreeborn) and Hisham Kelati (@HishamKelati) go back to Degrassi with your host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) and talk about the episode "PA Hyphen RTY Exclamation Mark". We get into scoring booze in your teens, and underage drinking. Right here on Talkhole! When Alexa's parents won't let her have a party, Lucy offers to host one instead, since her parents are going away. When her parents' plans change, however, Lucy has to clear the house and then deal with one late-arriving and very drunk guest.

Jul 19th, 2016. This week's episode "Black and White" Degrassi drops not one, but TWO n-bombs. It was the 80's and that was somehow more acceptable? It's not just thrown around, but still, not sure if you hear it on the CBC today. Definitely not on a kids show! I'm joined by Kweku Winful (@kwekugotjokez) and Alan Lewis (@TheAlanShane) to go back to Degrassi! B.L.T. fights with an upperclassman who makes a racist comment. Later, when he asks Michelle to the dance, her parents forbid her to go with him because he is black. Meanwhile, Spike needs money to afford a babysitter, but, when she applies for a job, she is rejected because of her hairstyle.

Jul 10th, 2016. This week, your host Tim McDonald goes back to Degrassi with Writer/Comedian Ify Chiwetelu and writer/photographer Scott McLean. All the kids are doing it... Arthur feels rejected when his father continues to see more and more of a new girlfriend. Meanwhile, Melanie decides to ask Snake out on another date, despite the fact that she must compete with Alison, a "glamorous niner" (ninth grader).

Host Tim McDonald @timfmmcdonald is joined by Aaron Wry and Mark McNally to discuss the second part of the classic 2 parters "Takin' Off" Still trying to come to terms with his adoptive parents' death, Wheels runs away to be with his biological father, who has sent him a postcard. When he arrives, however, he receives a cool welcome. Meanwhile, Luke and Shane take LSD at a concert and Luke is later found unconscious beneath a bridge.

Host Tim McDonald @timfmmcdonald is joined by the hilarious Casey Corbin to talk about maybe, one of the most well known episodes of the series, "Takin' Off Part 1" Still trying to come to terms with his adoptive parents' death, Wheels runs away to be with his biological father, who has sent him a postcard. When he arrives, however, he receives a cool welcome. Meanwhile, Luke and Shane take LSD at a concert and Luke is later found unconscious beneath a bridge.

Host Tim McDonald @timfmmcdonald is joined by Franco Nguyen and Guled Abdi to discuss the epiosode "Twenty Bucks" When Melanie can’t come up with the twenty dollars she needs to buy a concert ticket, she "borrows" it from her mother's purse. Shane tells Spike he can't pay for child support so that he can buy a ticket instead, and Joey makes a twenty-dollar bet.

Host Tim McDonald @timfmmcdonald does this episode alone rewatching the classic epiosde "Food For Thought" A stickler for perfection, Kathleen is demonstrating symptoms of anorexia, even as she devotes her energies to winning first place in the Science Fair. Melanie discovers that Kathleen in anorexic and confronts her about it, but Kathleen denies her problem.

Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Jen Sakato and Dena Jackson to rewatch the episode "Star Crossed" A believer in astrology, Erica reads in her horoscope that romance in on the rise and promptly falls madly in love with Clutch. When Clutch asks Erica's twin Heather to the charity bowling match, the girls decide to switch. Meanwhile, Alexa decides she wants her old boyfriends Simon back. The third season of Degrassi Junior High premiered on November 7, 1988 with 16 episodes. It depicts the 1988-1989 school year.

Jun 5th, 2016. The return! Host Tim McDonald is joined by Alex Woods and Jimmy Cassidy to go over the episode The Whole Truth. Caitlin, the editor of Degrassi Digest, becomes interested in animal rights with Liz organizes a protest against scientific experiments on animals. But when Caitlin does some of her own research, she discovers that there are two sides to every story. The third season of Degrassi Junior High premiered on November 7, 1988 with 16 episodes. It depicts the 1988-1989 school year. Facebook, twitter, all @backtodegrassi

Jun 5th, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Keelan Miller (@KeelanMiller) and Gareth Lloyd (@Garethlloyd666) to watch the episode "He Ain't Heavy." Snake learns his brother is gay. It was a pretty progressive episode for the time, and we discuss how it holds up, other 80's ridiculousness, and Degrassi hilariousness in general. Neither were huge Degrassi fans, but it was fun to sort of re-introduce them with this episode. Enjoy! Email any thoughts or questions to backtodegrassi@gmail.com.

Jun 5th, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Dave Atkinson (@shitshooters) and Meg MacKay (@meganmacawesome) of the fantastic Big Gross Movies Podcast to watch the classic episode "Loves Me, Loves Me Not." Caitlin has a big crush on Joey and agrees to work with him on a school project. It's a pretty great episode of Degrassi, as it's the beginning of Joey and Caitlin's love story. Meg knew the show so well, and Dave had a recollection of it that was jogged as we watched. Really fun podcast!

Jun 5th, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by fantastic Toronto Stand-Up Comedian Kyle Andrews (@KyleArmageddon). We watched the S03E04 "Season's Greetings". Arthur and Yick have a falling out at Christmas time. The episode is a Christmas themed clip and bottle show. It was quite bold of them to think people wanted a flashback of Yik and Arthur's relationship. Honestly, they were reaching there. It's a bit of a shorter episode, but Kyle and I had a great time discussing it!

Jun 5th, 2016. Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Kathleen McGee (@Kathleen_McGee) and Allison Dore (@allisondore) to watch the episode "A Big Girl Now" in which yet another girl is deciding whether or not to have sex. We talked about sexual expectations, and both of these women were extremely knowledgeable about Degrassi! It was a funny and fun episode! Send any feedback to backtodegrassi@gmail.com.

Jun 5th, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Bruce Douglas (@BruceDComedy) and Denix Wilson (no twitter) watch S03E02 "Can't Live With Em Part 2", which concludes the 2 part season debut dealing with Wheels' parents death. It's a crazy episode of a "kids" show. I don't know if any other has ever dealt with the issue, and it's a pretty incredible episode. Pretty slow, and not easy to find the lighter side of it, but we did our best for a great episode. Follow the podcast on twitter @backtodegrassi and like us on http://facebook.com/backtodegrassi.

Jun 5th, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Amish Patel (@amishvp) and Jay Freeborn (@Jay2theFreeborn) to watch "Can't Live With 'Em" Part 1". It's the first episode of Season 3. It's a really heavy episode that's probably stuck with long time viewers. Wheels' parents are killed by a drunk driver. The episode is great, and a pretty straight forward episode until the hard hitting last scene. We kept it light, and had a great conversation about the episode. Follow the podcast on twitter @backtodegrassi and on http://facebook.com/backtodegrassi.

Jun 5th, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by James Hammond (@JimmyHamms) and Brandon Sobel (@comedybs) to watch the season 2 finale "Pass Tense" It's the end of the school year and it is then announced that the eighth grade class will return to Degrassi in the fall, as the school is adding a ninth grade. It was a lot of fun talking to them about Degrassi, high school memories, and going over this classic episode. They are also both MCs and did a rap over my beatboxing of the Zit Remedy's "Everybody Wants Something"! We got way into gear on a fun episode of Back to Degrassi! follow the podcast @backtodegrassi and like us at http://facebook.com/backtodegrassi

Jun 5th, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Hannah Hogan (@MissHannahHogan) and Nick Martinello (@MartinelloJokes) for the second time! It's the follow up to Episode 15, and the return of sexual predator, Mr. Colby! Lucy tries to forget the bad experience she has had with her lecherous teacher Mr. Colby, until she sees him coming on to Susie. First aired March 21, 1988. We had a great conversation and dug deep into the drama. It was a hilarious episode! Follow us on twitter @backtodegrassi and http://facebook.com/backtodegrassi

Jun 5th, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Blayne Smith (@metalcomedy) and Troy Stark (@TronStark) to watch the episode "Trust Me". Snake lets Joey use his father's car. Meanwhile, Spike gets kicked out of school for being pregnant. One of the highlights of the episode is our jokes about bass players in the first 15 minutes! It's a great conversation with a couple of very funny comics. Follow the podcast on twitter @backtodegrassiand like us on http://facebook.com/backtodegrassi.

Jun 5th, 2016. After a string of returning guests I get some new blood on the podcast! I had the hilarious Kyle Hickey (@kjhickeylol) and the hilarious Merv Hartlen (@FakeMerv) joined me to watch the episode "Censored". Hearing that Spike may be kicked out of school for being pregnant, Caitlin writes a leaflet in her defense. Meanwhile, Joey and L.D. get into trouble for having pinups in their lockers. We get way into it and the entire Degrassi story. Great Episode! Follow the podcast on twitter @backtodegrassi and like it at http://facebook.com/backtodegrassi.

Jun 5th, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Chad Gibson (@ChadGibsonComic) and Brian Clement (@brianfhclement) to watch the episode Dog Days. Arthur and Stephanie are both upset when their mother announces she's remarrying. Stephanie even mentions suicide. Also Arthur has found a dog that he keeps bringing to school. It's my least favourite episode I can remember of the show. However in rewatch I noticed that Ms. Kaye is pushing to get remarried quickly to look better in the wake of her ex-husband reopening the divorce. Levels I never saw as a kid! We get way into the episode. Like us on Facebook! Follow on Twitter! All Degrassi episodes are on the official PBS Youtube.

Jun 4th, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Brian Donnelly (@djhpanthers) who is working on a project mapping out Degrassi Junior High one location at a time on his site (http://www.degrassipanthers.com/). Brian is an awesome dude and we had a great conversation about his site and Degrassi. Recently, Brian did a Top 10 Degrassi Episodes List and we go over that in detail and had a beer afterwards! It was a great different kind of episode!

Jun 4th, 2016. Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by the hilarious stand-up comedians Lucy Gervais (@Cutelosers) and Drew Grav (@AML__Inc) and we watched the episode "Sealed With A Kiss" The twins worry about mononucleosis after French kissing the same boy. We go over twins, siblings, parents, kissing, mono, and Degrassi!

Jun 4th, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Hisham Kelati (@HishamKelati) and Ariel Kagan (@arielkagan) to discuss Degrassi Junior High S02E07. Kathleen's alcoholic mother humiliates her the night she is to appear on a teen quiz show. Meanwhile, Max and Scooter think smoking is cool. Hisham had very little knowledge, and Ariel is South African and knew even less. We had a fantastic conversation about the episode, and Degrassi in general. Where was Melanie??? Kathleen needed you and you weren't even there!

Jun 4th, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Marc Hallworth (@hallworthmarc) and Aaron Weingott. Both guests had never seen Degrassi before and thought this would be a great episode to introduce the show to them with. We got into a lot of offshoot conversations from the show, did some google searching, judged Tim's gmail drafts being at 115, thought the fact Marc had to stay in the garage until his parents got home from work was weird, and Aaron seemed to really want to discuss masturbation. Oh yeah, and fights and fighting. It was a lot of fun, and Braeden Miller joined me during the intro.

Jun 4th, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Ashley Moffatt (@AshleyMoffatt) and Caitlin Langelier (@CateLangelier) over to watch the episode "Stage Fright" It's a pretty memorable episode of the series and we had a great time watching. It was Cait's first time seeing the show and she did a bunch of research about it beforehand. Ashley knew the show very well, and we had a great time discussing Degrassi, seizures, dating and so much more!

Jun 4th, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Aisha Brown (@Aieeesha) and Cassandra Sansosti (@tossedbysauce) to discuss the episode dinner and a show. Aisha knows Degrassi very well, while it was the first time that Cassandra had seen the show. We had a fun time watching and going over the episode. The mix of the serious dinner, and the ridiculous date were great to introduce to a first time watcher. We got way into it and had a hilarious conversation!

Jun 4th, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is back after a brief hiatus with a fresh rewatch episode! I had Alex Wood (@woodcomedy) and Rebecca Reeds (@rebeccareeds) to discuss the episode "Great Expectations". Both are fans of the original series and were great to talk about the episode with. This is the debut episode of Degrassi most radical character, Liz. We got way into her, and Joey, and Steph K, and Arthur, as well. Great Episode!

May 31st, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Nicole Stoffman (@NicoleStoffman), who played Stephanie Kaye on the series. We had a fantastic chat about working on Degrassi and her experiences, as well as what's she has been up to since, and her experience with the fans since being on the show. It's a great conversation with the former cast member that lends insight into the show.

May 31st, 2016. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Hannah Hogan (@MissHannahHogan) and Nick Martinello (@MartinelloJokes) to discuss the episode A Helping Hand. It's a very serious episode, and probably the best example of how the show can be very light and quickly turn dark. Wheels' glasses make their debut, and the creepy substitute teacher Mr. Colby is way too touchy with Lucy. We kept it light and got dug deep into it! Enjoy!

May 31st, 2016. The Season 2 debut episode of Degrassi Junior High, "Eggbert". Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by the amazingly funny Caitsey Kovac (she's a total babe and my girlfriend and not into twitter) and we had a great talk about the episode. We discussed our mutual dislike of Kathleen, Caitsey's crush on snake, Stef's New New Image, and the Spike/Shane pregnancy debacle.

May 31st, 2016. The Season 1 finale. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Allison Dore (@allisondore) and Dean Young (@ComicDeanYoung) to discuss Revolution! This episode deals with the intricate student council politics. Stephanie Kay takes a long hard look at her semester after stringing Joey along to make Wheels jealous. We get way into a lot of story lines through out the series and talked about how funny it is to watch this show from our youth as adults.

May 31st, 2016. Parent's Night is the follow up to Spike getting pregnant, and host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) has one guest on for the first time, Brian Clement (@brianfhclement)! We had a great conversation about this episode and the series in general. Brian had some great insight, and some hilarious stories. The three levels of "parent's nights" are discussed in the episode, which actually doesn't show the parent's night at the school. We jumped into some of the darker aspects of Wheels through the series and Neil Hope, the man who played him.

May 31st, 2016. Holy smokes! I (@timfmmcdonald) had the Crimson Wave (@TheCrimsonWave) Podcast hosts on to go Back To Degrassi! Natalie Norman (@stalkingnatalie) and Jess Beaulieu (@msjessbeaulieu)!!! We watched perhaps the most classic of DJH episodes "It's Late". Holy smokes, did we get into ideas, misconceptions and options for teenage girls regarding sex in the 80s. We had to take out our phones to google for some dates, and had some laughs along the way. Just a great episode of the podcast!

May 31st, 2016. This week I (@timfmmcdonald) went Back To Degrassi with Nick Martinello (@MartinelloJokes) and Darren Springer (@flintbeverage). We had a blast talking about this episode where Rick joins the Environmental Action Committee as a "smokescreeen" for his crush on Caitlin. Yik also tells a very dark story of his journey to Canada, involving brushes with death. Caitlin also does an amazing rap, Arthur is real dorky, Kathleen is a bitch, and Susie's uncle is apparently an astronaut.

Nov 9th, 2014. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) has 2 fantastic Toronto comedians over to discuss "What a Night" of Degrassi Junior High. Tim is joined by Amanda Day (@cockdestroyer) and Dom Pare (@dpare). We get into an episode that has a very 80s depiction of a pedophile date rapist, which is shrugged off a bit too easy. As well we get into what is almost a right of passage for all teens... shoplifting. We get way into Lucy's parents, Voola's parents, and Stef's mom. Still no conclusion on Voola's ethnic background, but we're sticking with Eastern European. Both were fans of the show when they were younger. Enjoy going back!

Oct 29th, 2014. Justin Laite (@justinlaite) and Chad Gibson (@ChadGibsonComic) came over and watched Episode 8 ("Nothing To Fear"), and were hilarious. They were the first guests to both smoke with me, and we managed to keep it together. We had fun dealing with the some sensitive issues, and managed to direct the most displeasure to Jeff, the family friend and employee of LD's Dad. Wow, a Mechanic's Garage attached to the house. It's a Canadian dream! Also, payphone with a rotary dial... it's the 80s, but that makes it seem like the 50s! Music by Brae Miller! (http://thespoofs.bandcamp.com).

Oct 21st, 2014. Jen Sakato (@JenSakato) and Liz Worth (@LizWorthXO) joined host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) to discuss Episode 7 of Degrassi Junior High ("The Best Laid Plans") and it was fantastic. Both were big fans of the show growing up and we had a great discussion about this episode, teenage sex, porn, and awkward conversations with parents. Music by Braeden Miller.

Oct 15th, 2014. Episode 6 of Back To Degrassi Podcast with Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) and guests Bobby Knauff (@BobbyKnauff) and Laura Di Labio (@lauradilabio) to talk about Rumour Has it. This episode deals with Ms. Avery's sexuality, and Caitin's puberty dreams. It's not a story you really ever see on TV, and it's incredible it was on in 1987. It's a pretty funny episode and we picked it apart and gave big props to the set department. Subscribe Rate and Review!

Oct 8th, 2014. The Great Race! Host Tim McDonald is joined by Megan Myke (@goonercooch) and Trevor Thompson (@TrevorWThompson) and we get way into this episode. Both had really watched the shit out of Degrassi, and were quite knowledgeable. We have a great talk about the episode and show in general, and all of us say things like "You're so flat, the walls are jealous!". I debut a new theme song by James Nelan! Intro Music By Brae Miller of The Spoofs.

Oct 1st, 2014. The Cover Up! Episode 4 of Back to Degrassi with Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by Troy Stark (@tronstark) and Blayne Smith (@metalcomedy) discuss the episode where it gets real... like child abuse real. We manage to keep it light. We get deep into bicycles, skateboarding, crushes, picture day, and Troy's troubled childhood, and all of our troubled adulthoods. Also Blayne casually brings up that he went to high school with Drake.

Sep 24th, 2014. The Experiment, S01E03 of Degrassi Junior High. Host Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) is joined by his guests, Brendan Pinto (@brendan_pinto) and Chris Roberts (@funnychris34), who are both hilarious and watched Degrassi when they were younger. We talk about race, how much the name "Yick Yu" sounds like an insult, drugs, high school stories, and Arthur standing up for Yick in class. Also, Chris had the same custody setup as Stef and Arthur when his parents split up.

Sep 15th, 2014. Back to Degrassi with Tim McDonald (@timfmmcdonald) does "The BIG Dance". On this episode, I have two fantastic Toronto standup comedians, Michelle Christine (@MichelleStandup) and Lauren Mitchell (@internetlauren). We totally had a blast watching and chatting about the show. We discuss broomheads, Mr. Raddage, underage drinking, 80's fashion, and Drake, because Lauren never is not talking about Drake.

In the first episode of the podcast i review and discuss the episode with Shirley Whalen and Ryan Dillon