The TV Addict 

Regular readers of theTVaddict.com may recall my recent call, well not so much as a ‘call’ but rather a cry for TV scoop! You know, so that I may one day turn this ‘gig’ into an actual real-life job and overtake my long-time nemesis/friend crush Michael Ausiello.

So without further ado, I present The TV Addict’s Genuine For Real TV Scoop

DEGRASSI’s part time lesbian, reformed mean girl, pot-head cheerleader may be finally moving on to bigger and better things. Courtesy of some inside sources, the TV Addict has learned that Lauren Collins [Paige] has just signed onto the Nicole Sullivan [MAD TV, SCRUBS] Lifetime series RITA ROCKS.

Josh Friedman, Damon Lindeloff, Tim Kring, Carter Bays, Josh Schwartz, Greg Berlanti, Ronald D Moore, Key Grip, Best Boy, Kraft Services Chick, Executive bored at work, Publicist at Warner Bros, Director of Digital at FOX…. Got Scoop? Help a struggling TV Addict turn his fake blogging job into a reality. Email info@thetvaddict.com.

TheTVaddict.com will go to almost any length to score an interview. So when we heard DEGRASSI star Nina Dobrev was in our neighbourhood filming a movie. We decided there was only one thing we could use to attract her attention in the hopes of scoring an interview.

Now I know what you’re thinking. Clearly you utilized your dashing Brad-Pittesque good looks? Thanks, but there’s where you’d be wrong. We utilized the only sure fire weapon at our disposal. The one weapon in our arsenal guaranteed to attract the opposite sex. Enter the TV Addict’s adorable dog MAC.

The moment we walked by, Nina was not surprisingly hooked. And lucky for us, kind enough to take a few minutes out of her busy shooting schedule to answer a few questions (As long as she got to play with Mac after!)

Were you a fan of DEGRASSI before you auditioned for the show?
Nina Dobrev: I was of course familiar with the show and heard all the hype, but I didn’t really watch it because I didn’t have the time. Actually I am not the biggest TV person, I’m really into school, sports and gymnastics.

When you were cast on the show, did you immediately go rent the DVD’s to catch up?
Yeah, when I got the role I literally borrowed seasons one through five and watched them all back-to-back within a month or two.

And your favorite character was?
Jake Epstein.

It must have been nerve-wracking joining such an established show. How nervous were you?
As nervous as you can get. Meeting new people, making a good first impression, seeing the studio. It was strange. Just realizing that this one studio has everything — the mall, houses, the school.

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On again off again DEGRASSI bad boy Sean Cameron is about to end up in the last place fans would have ever expected — Broadway.

The TV Addict is thrilled to report first that actor Daniel Clark will soon be trading in his signature wife-beater for threads more befitting an 1890’s German high school student. Word is that Clark is set to make his Broadway debut in the Tony Award winning musical SPRING AWAKENING come January 2008.

While SPRING AWAKENING will mark Clark’s Broadway debut, fans may be surprised to learn that it will not be his first musical experience. Clark started his career as ‘Chip’ in Toronto’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

Don’t believe that DEGRASSI’S most notable juvenile deliquent started his career off as a singing tea cup. Check back tomorrow for some photographic evidence.

On Monday the N celebrated it’s 5th Anniversary at the Marquee in New York City. While theTVaddict himself couldn’t attend, he did obtain some exclusive party photos. Click the link below to check out more of your DEGRASSI favourites, and congratulations to the N for five fantastic years.
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theTHEATREaddict with yet another TV related post: Teenagers unite, the Broadway sensation Spring Awakening and the hit Canadian television series for teens, Degrassi The Next Generation (a guilty pleasure of mine, I loved the originals!) unite in what’s being billed as a “Live Verbal Mash Up”. Casts of both shows will appear at a one-hour town hall for teenagers on April 30 at 3 PM at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre. Rosie O’Donnell, making headlines today, will host.

Five-hundred teens from the New York City area will participate in the event. Teen specialist Dr. Tiffany Brown will also be on hand. According to a press release, the town hall “will focus on the issues of pressure, identity and love and how teens today vs. yester-year are grappling with young adulthood.”

The event will be recorded, and clips will go up on the teen-aimed site AOL Red and The-N.com, the home of the online home of the N Network where Degrassi is broadcast in the US, in mid-May.

As I sit here in LAX waiting for my flight to take me back to Toronto (moment of silence) I can’t help but wonder two things. First off, why don’t the LAX employees look nearly as good as the Heather Locklear/Blair Underwood ill-fated NBC series advertised. And two, since I’m going to be offline for quite a while, I better leave you all with one hell of a blind item to keep you entertained (and guessing) throughout the day.

So here’s what theTVaddict learned in Los Angeles. One of your favourite boys (or is it girls?) from DEGRASSI TNG was this close to having their career launched into the stratosphere. Turns out the actor (or is it actress!) in question was second choice for one of the leads in that little Disney Channel movie you may have heard of called HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. Post away with your guesses as to who almost transferred from Degrassi High to East High.

Degrassi students don’t have it easy. Over the years they’ve been plagued with school shootings, violence, unexpected pregnancies and the inevitable drug and alcohol problems. Yet throughout it all, one thing remained a constant. They survive — learn a lesson — and continue to face the challenges of growing up.

Unfortunately one student didn’t learn a lesson and sadly won’t live to see another day. Last Tuesday, J.T. Yorke fell victim to a random act of violence. His stabbing death was senseless, shocking, and as most violent acts tend to be, incomprehensible.

Immediately following the episode, fans throughout the world leapt to the internet, posting messages of sadness, support and love for one of Degrassi’s most beloved students. Having literally grown up alongside J.T these past six years, fans were heartbroken. [ See Youtube Memorials here, here, here, and here. ]

Actor Ryan Cooley was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to talk to theTVaddict.com and reflect on his time at Degrassi and the death of J.T.

theTVaddict: When did you find out you’d be leaving DEGRASSI?
Ryan Cooley: I found out I was going to be leaving the show around April 2006, just before we started filming the new season.

Were you surprised to find out that your character was being killed, or was leaving the show something you asked for?
It did come as a surprise to me that my character was getting killed off the show. But at the time [early 2006], I was contemplating going to University and leaving the show, so it kind of came together nicely. My last episode was shot in August, and knowing that I wasn’t coming back made it easier for me to decide to go to university.

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You asked for it, theTVaddict delivered! (Yes, frankly I’m as surprised as anyone). But that said, theTVaddict.com will be interviewing DEGRASSI’S RYAN COOLEY this evening at 4PM (eastern standard time). So post away with all your JT Yorke/Ryan Cooley questions and I’ll do my absolute best to get them answered for you.

[Update] theTVaddict just finished his interview with Ryan Cooley. Check back early next week, either Tuesday or Wednesday for the completed interview! Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to write a question!

[Update 2] The interview is now posted, click here to check it out!

[SPOILER ALERT!] So it finally happened. After months of speculation and rumours floating around the net, DEGRASSI finally lost one if its own — JT Yorke, you’ll be sadly missed. While I wasn’t surprised as to who died (thanks to CTV for pretty much giving it away in their promo last week), it was quite shocking as to how JT died. His stabbing was quick, random and didn’t seem to have much purpose — except to say violence is bad (well duh). I find it hard to believe, that even under the influence, some young punk from Lakeview (or was it Lakehead) would randomly stab JT for no apparent reason.That said, the episode was well done overall and provided for some fun DEGRASSI watching. In keeping with this theme of randomness, a few random comments if I may:Why were Ellie and Marco at a high school party? When University students hang out at their old high school it’s not cool, just sad.Why was everybody so emotional at the funeral? If I recall, outside of Tobes, sorry Toby, JT didn’t have that many friends.The award for bad acting theatre goes to Toby. Did you notice that whenever Toby was about to cry, the camera cut away. Someone needs a few more classes at the Armstrong Acting Studio.Why does anyone listen to Manny’s advice? Isn’t this the girl who in recent years has stolen Craig, had an abortion, ended up on Peter’s video camera topless, well you get the idea…Finally, as we’ve learned from FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, it’s never cool to hook up with your best friend’s girlfriend — even if your best friend is dead. Shame on you Toby.

Right off the bat, Jamie Johnston wants DEGRASSI fans to know a few things: He’s not, as many viewers wrongly assume, dating on-screen love interest Miriam McDonald (Emma), nor is he anything like his on-screen persona, Peter Stone.

“Playing Peter has been great for me as an actor, because he’s so different from any other character I’ve played,” says Johnston. “If people don’t like him, then I’m doing my job.” The talented young actor need have no fear in that department: Since first strolling down Degrassi’s hallways last season, Peter has quickly earned the rep as the guy we love to hate.

Of course, while Peter gets to have all the so-called fun, his portrayer sometimes has to face the consequences. “I once had a fan shout at me, ‘You’re a scum bag!’” he shares, adding with a smile, “I’m pretty sure she meant Peter…” Most of the time, however, encounters are a tad less interactive. “Yes, I get strange looks on the subway sometimes, but that may have nothing to do with them recognizing me,” the modest young man says. “I once had a fan ask me to sign a pair of my boxers,” he then admits before offering assurances that he declined the request.

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