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[via press release]

Degrassi Tackles The Issue of Teens and Oral Sex in the Hour-Long Summer premiere of The N’s Hit Drama Friday, July 1, 8:00 – 9:00 PM (ET)

New Degrassi Episodes Set to Premiere Every Friday Night

Exclusive Degrassi Parent Discussion Guide About Oral Sex and STD’s Available at http://discussions.the-n.com

New York, NY, June 8, 2005 – The N, the nightime network for teens, will kick off five new July episodes of its provocative teen drama, Degrassi: The Next Generation, with a special hour-long episode that tackles the issue of teens and oral sex, on Friday, July 1 from 8:00pm – 9:00pm ET. Degrassi airs regulary Friday nights at 8:00pm (ET) and 10:00pm (ET) on The N.

Currently in its fourth season, Degrassi, is a fictional, dramatic series that tackles tough issues in a realistic way. This summer, Degrassi devolves into topic including, STDs, mental illness, self-esteem, long-distance relationships and cheating. Degrassi introduces a new generation of kids 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), Ashley (Melissa McIntyre), 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.

In the summer premiere “Secret,” everyone has been walking on eggshells around Emma, ever since the school shooting tragedy. She’s had it with people feeling sorry for her, and turns to bad-boy Jay as an escape. Emma starts sneaking out at night to hang out with Jay and his fast crowd at the “ravine.” Just because Jay is dating Alex doesn’t mean Emma can’t hook up with him. But every action has a consequence, and Emma is totally unprepared for hers.

Ashley is doing everything she can to try to help Craig come to terms with his bipolar disorder. She only means well, when she sends Craig to attend a teen therapy group — but fails to reveal to him that it is the same group Ellie attends. Meanwhile, Jimmy feels more than ready to be released from the hospital, but a construction delay in prepping his home for his return keeps him in rehab. Jimmy knows just the thing to boost his mood — sneaking out to a Kid Elrick concert. It’s just too bad that his motley crew, Marco and Craig, are the ones helping him break out.

Parent Discussion guides are available for Degrassi: The Next Generation on http://discussons.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.

Additional new July episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation include:
“Eye of the Tiger” – 7/6 at 8:00pm and 10:00pm ET – All of Degrassi prepares for a triumphant return. All but one, that is. Meanwhile, Someone feels that his best friend is spending too much “face time” with his sister.

“Queen of Hearts” – 7/15 at 8pm and 10pm ET – A card shark discovers that going solo isn’t as much fun as it’s cracked up to be. Meanwhile, somebody wonders if there are more secrets to her secret affair than she’s aware of.

“Love Will Tear us Apart” – 7/22 at 8pm and 10pm ET – When a secret relationship survive going public, or will the two lovebirds be forced to go their separate ways? Meanwhile, girl power makes its mark on the neighbourhood.

“Moonlight Desires” – 7/29 at 8pm and 10pm ET – A school rep’s plan to polish Degrassi’s image goes off track when something personal is revealed. Meanwhile, someone puts in extra time at school…for revenge.

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 http://www.epitomepictures.com/.

The N, the nighttime network for tweens and teens, is a programming arm of MTV Networks and is currently available in 43 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 http://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.