DEGRASSI Anonymous, Part 2: SCHOOL'S OUT!

From 2009: My disappointment over the shit heap known as DEGRASSI GOES HOLLYWOOD led me back to my DEGRASSI HIGH box set to watch the 1992 TV-movie called SCHOOL'S OUT! I missed this 90-minute special when it first aired because the geniuses at WNET in New York chose to air it only once– on Gay Pride Day 1992 – at a time when attending such events was important to me, being a young gay and all.So now, 17 years later (in 2009), with the bad taste of DEGRASSI GOES HOLLYWOOD still in my mouth, I decided to give SCHOOL'S OUT a shot.It all starts out in true Degrassi fashion as class valedictorian Lucy Fernandez (Anais Granofsky) delivers a farewell address to the graduating class. Among the students is Caitlin Ryan (Stacie Mistysyn), who has skipped ahead one year to graduate before her boyfriend Joey Jeremiah (Pat Mastroianni), who has been left back. At Lucy's graduation party we learn that Lucy and Caitlin will be college roommates. At the party, we actually see Degrassi students drinking beer and smoking weed - with no judgements. Even some of the good students are getting high. Miss Goody Two Shoes Tessa Campanelli (Kirsten Bourne) thinks that her friends are "so boring" when they are stoned. Meanwhile, Joey presents Caitlin with a friendship ring that he's saved all his pennies for. He implies that it could also serve as an engagement ring, but Caitlin is not ready for that kind of commitment. She also isn't ready to have sex with him!Joey is crushed and runs out of the party and into Tessa, and he agrees to give her a "ride home". Before he drops her off, he plants a kiss on Tessa's lips. They later make a date and Joey gets to second base with her. Luckily he works in the pharmacy and has easy access to Shields brand condoms! So virginal Joey may finally get laid this summer, with our without Caitlin. Later Joey's pals gawky Snake (Stefan Brogren) and lesbian-lookalike Wheels (the late Neil Hope) discuss all matter of sexual hi jinks as they work on Wheel's crappy car. Snake is still a virgin too, but hopes his summer gig as a lifeguard will change all that.

So Joey and Tessa have sex...lots of it...so much for Tessa being Miss Goody Two Shoes! Weed=boring, sex=not so boring! While her and Joey continue to do the nasty, Caitlin goes back and forth on whether she wants to still go away to University with Lucy or stay local and be engaged to Joey. Lucy tries to convince to her choose college, but it looks like Caitlin might be giving it a second thought.Then Caitlin decides that she will give Joey what he wants for his 19th birthday, prompting Lucy shows her how to put a rubber on a banana (which she calls "Joey"). Then Caitlin puts her hair up and a condom in her purse and before you know it - they've had sex too. After the momentous event, Caitlin cries and Joey gets out of bed...
I'm sure my readers would like to see that again...(Click to enlarge even more!)
Anyways, after the sobbing and the amazing butt shot, Joey climbs into his grampa's boxers.
Meanwhile, Tessa pays a visit to the local Women's Health Clinic. Guess what? She's totally preggers - so she orders up one abortion - to go!!! Later, the whole gang is getting together one last time by the lake...and tensions are growing between Wheels and Snake. Snake is all pissy cause Wheels spent his whole summer drinking beer and working on his shitty car. Their argument includes some un-Degrassi-like words such as "shit" and "asshole." They actually come to blows, and Lucy takes Wheels outside for some air.
Things go from bad to worse when Snake accuses Joey of "fucking" Tessa while dating Caitlin...just as Caitlin walks in! What happens next is the best Degrassi line ever...

"Tessa Campanelli? You were fucking Tessa Campanelli?" CLASSIC!

Things continue to spiral outta control when Snake has to put his lifeguard training to the test to rescue Allison Hunter (Sarah Holmes) from drowning just as Wheels puts his drunk driving to the test - killing a small child and putting Lucy in critical condition! Holly shit!
Wheels winds up in prison for vehicular manslaughter and Lucy ends up blind in one eye and walking with a cane (as witnessed in the premiere episode of DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION). The whole story winds up months later at the wedding of Alexa Pappadopoulos (Irene Courakos) to Simon Dexter (Michael Carry). Not attending are Wheels, Lucy and a few others. Snake shows up at the wedding with his new girlfriend, Pam.

At the reception, Snake's future-wife Spike (Amando Steptoe) mentions to Caitlin that her daughter Emma is now in pre-kindergarden (setting the stage for Emma to become one of the central characters in DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION in 2001). The film ends with Joey asking Caitlin to dance. Awww... What a totally enjoyable and satisfying conclusion to the series and the perfect bridge to the next series. I cannot recommend this highly enough to Degrassi fans everywhere. And if I need to remind you why, there's always this...

The End.

The Return of...Black Diva History Month, Part 1 (1886-1929)

Rerunning a series from last year, because we need these ladies more now than ever before.No disrespect to Black History Month proper, but I've decided to use February as a time to look at some of my favorite divas of color. Unlike most gay men, my favorite black female singers for the most part have not had a hit on the charts in probably the past two, or even three decades. Most have never recorded an MTV video and a good percentage of them are no longer among the living. Most are from the US, though few are from other places–either by birth or by choice. Whether they sang jazz, the blues, soul, R & B, funk or good old standards from the American songbook, what these amazing, strong women have in common is that they helped shaped music history and a few of them are still out there, still working hard to secure their place in the tapestry of American experience. I don't consider this a complete list, but rather a tribute to the fine women whose work I have enjoyed over the years.
Ma Rainey (Gertrude Malissa Nix Pridgett 1886-1939) was one of the first known blues singers to record. She was known as The Mother of the Blues and she influenced every major blues performer to come along after her.Bessie Smith (1894 -1937) was an blues singer famous for recording WC Handy’s St. Louis Blues and performing it in the 1929 film of the same name. Dying from injuries sustained in a car accident, Smith’s grave went unmarked until 1970 when Janis Joplin paid for a tombstone. Ironically, Joplin would die later that same year.Alberta Hunter (1895 - 1984) was an blues singer, songwriter, and registered nurse! Her career had started back in the early 1920s, and she became a recording artist, retiring in the 1950s. Alberta then entered the medical profession, where she stayed for over 20 years, only to resume her singing career in her later years!Ethel Waters (1896-1977) was an blues and jazz singer. She was also nominated for an Academy Award for her acting in the film 1949 film PINKY. Her most famous recording was the spiritual His Eye is on the Sparrow, though her version of Irving Berlin’s Heat Wave is a personal favorite of mine.

Josephine Baker (1906 – 1975) was a controversial American expatriate entertainer who became a celebrated French citizen in 1937. She was given the nicknames the "Bronze Venus," "Black Pearl", "Créole Goddess" and in France, she was known as "La Baker". She was portrayed by Lynn Whitfield in 1991 TV film, THE JOSEPHINE BAKER STORY.

Maxine Sullivan (1911 —1987) was an blues, jazz singer and musician. In the mid 1950s (similar to Alberta Hunter) became a trained nurse. In 1968, she made a comeback, singing at music festivals and even playing brass instruments. A swinging version of he Scottish folk song Loch Lomond was her signature song.Billie Holiday (Eleanora Fagan Gough 1915 –1959) was a legendary American jazz singer and songwriter. Lady Day’s tragic story was famously told in the 1972 film LADY SINGS THE BLUES. Her recording of “Strange Fruit” about lynching is one of the most powerful songs ever recorded. In a 1958 interview, she complained that many people did not understand the song’s message: “They’ll ask me to ‘sing that sexy song about the people swinging.’”Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) One of the few ladies on my list that I had the pleasure of seeing perform live. Ella earned the title “First Lady of Song.” Winning countless awards and honors, her well-deserved mainstream success made her a sought-after guest on numerous TV shows. There will never be another Ella.Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (born June 30, 1917) is an American singer and actress. She has recorded and performed extensively on stage, in film and on TV. She is most famous for performing Stormy Weather. As of this writing, Ms. Horne is still alive - living in New York City and enjoying her retirement.Pearl Mae Bailey (1918-1990) was an much-loved singer and actress. She appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway and in films. In 1968, she won a Tony Award for the title role in the all-black production of HELLO, DOLLY! She then appeared with Carol Channing in a memorable 1969 TV special. Pearl was a regular fixture on TV talk shows in the 1970s.Carmen Mercedes McRae (1920 – 1994) was an American jazz singer, composer, pianist, and actress. Her recording of Imagination is one of my favorite songs of all time. I recall seeing her performing live and she profusely thanked her Japanese fans for supporting her over the years, when American audiences turned away from jazz.

Dorothy Jean Dandridge (1922–1965) was an Academy Award-nominated American actress and pop singer. She starred in CARMEN JONES in 1954. She was portrayed by Halle Berry in the 1999 HBO film, INTRODUCING DOROTHY DANDRIDGE.

Dinah Washington (1924 – 1963) was dubbed the original ”Queen of the Blues”. Her recording of What a Diff'rence a Day Makes is an all-time classic and Drinking Again is a personal favorite of mine. Sadly, she died at age 39, from an overdose of diet pills mixed with alcohol.Sarah Lois Vaughan (nicknamed "Sassy" and "The Divine One") (1924 –1990) was a legendary American jazz singer. I was lucky enough to see Sarah live at The Blue Note in NYC in the 1980s, as she celebrated five decades of outstanding performance. Sitting less than a foot away from her, as she crooned all the classics- I was overwhelmed by her presence, it felt like being among royalty.Big Maybelle (Mable Louis Smith, 1924-1972) was one of the top Rhythm & Blues singers of the 1950s. She was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, for her hit single Candy.Willie Mae ("Big Mama") Thornton (1926 -1984) was an American rhythm and blues singer and songwriter. She was the first to record the hit song Hound Dog in 1952. Eartha Mae Kitt (1927 – 2008) was an actress, singer, and cabaret star. She was perhaps best known for her 1953 Christmas song Santa Baby and her role of Catwoman in the third season of the BATMAN television series.Ruth Brown (1928-2006) "Miss Rhythm" Brown was the top-selling Atlantic Records recording artist and was dubbed “the girl with the teardrop in her voice”. Ruth was featured in the original John Waters’ film HAIRSPRAY (1986) as Motormouth Maybelle. She also won a Tony Award for her performance in BLACK AND BLUE. I had the honor of seeing Miss Brown perform live several times, including in the off-Broadway show STAGERLEE.Etta Jones (1928-2001) was highly underrated jazz singer whose relative obscurity earned her a reputation as a "jazz musician's jazz singer". She was often confused with Etta James.Koko Taylor (Cora Walton, 1928-) is an blues musician, also known as the "Queen of the Blues." Her trademark rough and powerful vocals have made her a living legend.

Betty Carter (Lillie Mae Jones, 1929 -1998) was a jazz singer who was known for her unusual improvisational technique . Her first solo LP, Out There with Betty Carter, features the classic You’re Getting To Be Habit With Me and her album of duets with Ray Charles in 1961, include the popular tune Holiday tune Baby, It's Cold Outside.

More to come...

Black Diva History Month, Part 1 (1894-1929)

No disrespect to Black History Month proper, but I've decided to use February as a time to look at some of my favorite divas of color. Unlike most gay men, my favorite black female singers for the most part have not had a hit on the charts in probably the past two, or even three decades. Most have never recorded an MTV video and a good percentage of them are no longer among the living. Most are from the US, though few are from other places–either by birth or by choice. Whether they sang jazz, the blues, soul, R & B, funk or good old standards from the American songbook, what these amazing, strong women have in common is that they helped shaped music history and a few of them are still out there, still working hard to secure their place in the tapestry of American experience. I don't consider this a complete list, but rather a tribute to the fine women whose work I have enjoyed over the years.Bessie Smith (1894 -1937) was an blues singer famous for recording WC Handy’s St. Louis Blues and performing it in the 1929 film of the same name. Dying from injuries sustained in a car accident, Smith’s grave went unmarked until 1970 when Janis Joplin paid for a tombstone. Ironically, Joplin would die later that same year.Alberta Hunter (1895 - 1984) was an blues singer, songwriter, and registered nurse! Her career had started back in the early 1920s, and she became a recording artist, retiring in the 1950s. Alberta then entered the medical profession, where she stayed for over 20 years, only to resume her singing career in her later years!Ethel Waters (1896-1977) was an blues and jazz singer. She was also nominated for an Academy Award for her acting in the film 1949 film PINKY. Her most famous recording was the spiritual His Eye is on the Sparrow, though her version of Irving Berlin’s Heat Wave is a personal favorite of mine.

Maxine Sullivan (1911 —1987) was an blues, jazz singer and muscian. In the mid 1950s (similar to Alberta Hunter) became a trained nurse. In 1968, she made a comeback, singing at music festivals and even playing brass instruments. A swinging version of he Scottish folk song Loch Lomond was her signature song.Billie Holiday (Eleanora Fagan Gough 1915 –1959) was a legendary American jazz singer and songwriter. Lady Day’s tragic story was famously told in the 1972 film LADY SINGS THE BLUES. Her recording of “Strange Fruit” about lynching is one of the most powerful songs ever recorded. In a 1958 interview, she complained that many people did not inderstand the song’s message: “They’ll ask me to ‘sing that sexy song about the people swinging.’”Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) One of the few ladies on my list that I had the pleasure of seeing perform live. Ella earned the title “First Lady of Song.” Winning countless awards and honors, her well-deserved mainstream success made her a sought-after guest on numerous TV shows. There will never be another Ella.Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (born June 30, 1917) is an American singer and actress. She has recorded and performed extensively on stage, in film and on TV. She is most famous for performing Stormy Weather. As of this writing, Ms. Horne is still alive - living in New York City and enjoying her retirement.Pearl Mae Bailey (1918-1990) was an much-loved singer and actress. She appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway and in films. In 1968, she won a Tony Award for the title role in the all-black production of HELLO, DOLLY! She then appeared with Carol Channing in a memorable 1969 TV special. Pearl was a regular fixture on TV talk shows in the 1970s.Carmen Mercedes McRae (1920 – 1994) was an American jazz singer, composer, pianist, and actress. Her recording of Imagination is one of my favorite songs of all time. I recall seeing her performing live and she profusely thanked her Japanese fans for supporting her over the years, when American audiences turned away from jazz.Dinah Washington (1924 – 1963) was dubbed the original ”Queen of the Blues”. Her recording of What a Diff'rence a Day Makes is an all-time classic and Drinking Again is a personal favorite of mine. Sadly, she died at age 39, from an overdose of diet pills mixed with alcohol.Sarah Lois Vaughan (nicknamed "Sassy" and "The Divine One") (1924 –1990) was a legendary American jazz singer. I was lucky enough to see Sarah live at The Blue Note in NYC in the 1980s, as she celebrated five decades of outstanding performance. Sitting less than a foot away from her, as she crooned all the classics- I was overwhelmed by her presence, it felt like being among royalty.Big Maybelle (Mable Louis Smith, 1924-1972) was one of the top Rhythm & Blues singers of the 1950s. She was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, for her hit single Candy.Willie Mae ("Big Mama") Thornton (1926 -1984) was an American rhythm and blues singer and songwriter. She was the first to record the hit song Hound Dog in 1952. Eartha Mae Kitt (1927 – 2008) was an actress, singer, and cabaret star. She was perhaps best known for her 1953 Christmas song Santa Baby and her role of Catwoman in the third season of the BATMAN television series.Ruth Brown (1928-2006) "Miss Rhythm" Brown was the top-selling Atlantic Records recording artist and was dubbed “the girl with the teardrop in her voice”. Ruth was featured in the original John Waters’ film HAIRSPRAY (1986) as Motormouth Maybelle. She also won a Tony Award for her performance in BLACK AND BLUE. I had the honor of seeing Miss Brown perform live several times, including in the off-Broadway show STAGERLEE.Etta Jones (1928-2001) was highly underrated jazz singer whose relative obscurity earned her a reputation as a "jazz musician's jazz singer". She was often confused with Etta James.Koko Taylor (Cora Walton, 1928-) is an blues musician, also known as the "Queen of the Blues." Her trademark rough and powerful vocals have made her a living legend.

Betty Carter (Lillie Mae Jones, 1929 -1998) was a jazz singer who was known for her unsual improvisational technique . Her first solo LP, Out There with Betty Carter, features the classic You’re Getting To Be Habit With Me and her album of duets with Ray Charles in 1961, include the popular tune Holiday tune Baby, It's Cold Outside.

More to come...