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[via press release]

TEENS GO BACK TO SCHOOL WITH SEASON FIVE OF DEGRASSI!

THE N TO PREMIERE 10 NEW EPISODES OF THE HIT SERIES DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION BEGINNING FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7

The Nighttime Network For Teens To Premiere “Classic” Degrassi Library Beginning October 6

New York, NY, October 3, 2005 – The N, the nighttime network for teens, will roll out 10 new episodes of its hit teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation, beginning with the season five hour-long premiere on Friday, October 7 from 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (ET). The new season deals with topics that include: relationships, self image, physical disability, drugs, pregnancy and sexual identity. The series, which recently won both a Teen Choice Award for Best Summer Series and a TCA Award for Best Children’s Series airs regularly Friday nights at 8:00 p.m. (ET) and 10:00 p.m. (ET) on The N.

In the season five premiere, “Venus,” Manny is ready to put humiliation and alienation behind her, and get a fresh start on the school year. She’ll do anything to become an actress, but a meeting with a cutthroat agent leaves her wondering if she’ll ever be pretty enough. Suddenly, the idea of plastic surgery sounds more and more appealing. And when Manny sees an opportunity to showcase her assets for Degrassi’s new guy, Peter, she thinks it is a perfect idea. But her big acting break turns into a humiliating nightmare. Meanwhile, Craig can’t wait for Ashley to come back from England, but Ellie has some bad news to break to him — on his birthday.

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Degrassi franchise this fall, The N has acquired the rights to air the entire classic Degrassi library which includes 70 classic Degrassi episodes culled from Degrassi Jr. High and Degrassi High, as well as the Degrassi two-hour movie of the week, School’s Out.

On Thursday, October 6 from 8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. (ET), The N will unveil a two-hour block of four back-to-back classic episodes from Degrassi Jr. High and Degrassi High. This classic block will encore on Saturday, October 8 from 6:00 p.m.– 8:00 p.m. (ET).

Additionally, on Friday, October 14 and Friday, October 21, The N will pair a new episode from season five immediately followed by the network premieres of the classic episode with a corresponding theme.

Degrassi’s season five episodes and correlating “classic” episodes in October, will premiere as follows:

Friday, October 14:
(8:00 p.m. ET) Degrassi: The Next Generation “Death of a Disco Dancer” – Paige can’t wait see Matt after his “self-discovery” summer tour of Canada. She has their whole lives planned, but Matt’s not ready to settle down or settle for Paige’s perfect future. After he breaks things off, Paige questions everything, until Alex shows Paige the “perfect” way to relax. Meanwhile, Jimmy has been assistant coaching on the boy’s basketball team, but not everyone is happy to have him there.
(8:30 p.m. ET), Degrassi High “The All-Nighter” – In the Degrassi High episode, Kathleen brings marijuana to Maya’s sleepover which could spell disaster for her friendship with Melanie.

Friday, October 21:
(8:00 p.m. ET), Degrassi: The Next Generation “Foolin” – Liberty has always been Miss Perfect. But the straight-A student council president has been hiding a secret for months. She knows she has to tell J.T., but she’s not sure if their relationship can handle this new challenge. Meanwhile, Spinner would do anything to get his friends back, but when he meets beautiful Darcy, his life may finally start to get back on track.
(8:30 p.m. ET) Degrassi Junior High “It’s Late” – In the Degrassi Junior High episode, Spike realizes her period is late, and she’s terrified to tell her mother.

Parent discussion guides are available for Degrassi: The Next Generation on http:\\discussions.the-n.com. The episode-specific guides offer parents tips and questions about the issues raised in Degrassi to use as discussion starters with young adolescents.

Degrassi is a fictional, dramatic series that tackles tough issues in a realistic way. The series introduces a new generation of teens going through the trials and tribulations of adolescence in the 21st century at the newly refurbished Degrassi Community School. The series follows Emma (Miriam McDonald), Paige (Lauren Collins), Manny (Cassie Steele), Ellie (Stacey Farber), Craig (Jake Epstein), Jimmy (Aubrey Graham), Hazel (Andrea Lewis), Liberty (Sarah Barrable Tishauer), Spinner (Shane Kippel), Marco (Adamo Ruggiero), Toby (Jake Goldsbie), J.T. (Ryan Cooley), Jay (Mike Lobel) and Alex (Deanna Casaluce) as they journey through high school.

Epitome Pictures and its affiliate companies have been producing quality Canadian programming since 1976, including the multi-award winning, internationally recognized Degrassi franchise, The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High, which still air throughout the world. Epitome Pictures has also produced the series Liberty Street and Riverdale, as well as several MOWs. For more information, please visit www.epitomepictures.com.

The N, the nighttime network for teens, is a programming arm of MTV Networks and is currently available in 45 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite television. The N’s mission is to be the authentic voice for teens and help them figure out their lives with relevant, topical programming on-air and online at the network’s web site www.the-n.com. The N airs everyday from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (ET). The N and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.