A Night with the Degrassi: The Next Generation Cast -- Part One

Part Two Coming Next Week: Individual Interviews with Aubrey Graham, Shane Kippel, Cassie Steele and Shenae Grimes

The actors on Degrassi: The Next Generation really are just normal kids. When they entered the MTV green room prior to their TRL taping Wednesday night, Facebook immediately appeared on the computer screen, and the four actors - Aubrey Graham, Shane Kippel, Cassie Steele and Shenae Grimes - goofed around like any other kids their age would.

But they were also extremely professional. As soon as the producer came in to discuss their segments, they were quiet, listening intently. They weren't afraid to ask questions, to make sure they were on their A game when it actually came to shooting their TRL segments. I was impressed to say the least.

It got even better when I was able to sit down with these four talented actors and discuss their influential show, Degrassi: The Next Generation. I thought I'd stump them when I asked if there were any other storylines they'd like to tackle that they haven't yet touched on. Degrassiis known for its true-to-life look at teen issues, and has almost dealt with every topic under the sun. But as soon as I asked the question, Cassie Steele, who plays Manny, shot right back with an answer. "We don't really hit on cigarettes... smoking cigarettes is terrible. It gives you cancer." Steele elaborated that she likes how Degrassi has been doing storylines dealing with gambling, and she thinks they should do more of it, but smoking cigarettes is an issue that hasn't been confronted honestly in some time, and it needs to be featured.

In response to what other storylines they'd like to see, to lighten up the mood a bit, Aubrey Graham, whose character Jimmy is in a wheelchair, joked, "I'd like to walk."

As mentioned before, that's what was great about the Degrassi cast. They could so easily switch on and off between work mode and fun mode. They knew when they had to get down and dirty with business, and they knew when it was okay to let loose. While prepping for TRL, they figured out who would say what, as to not be hesitant on air. But during a "live in the green room" shot, they all rocked out some hilarious dance moves, while laughter burst out of them.

After the cast did their TRL performance, which was filled with enormous energy (it was so apparent they put 100% into it), I sat down with Shenae Grimes (Darcy) and Shane Kippel (Spinner) to discuss more details of the show. The two couldn't have been more charming.

Shane Kippel has been on Degrassi: The Next Generation since its inception (it's now in its 7^th season - although the full Degrassi series has been on air since the 80's). The show, which usually focuses on high school students, has now been splitting its time between the high school kids and those who used to be in high school but have since graduated. Kippel, whose character Spinner hasn't moved on to college yet, said, "It's the one time graduating late is great!" since it gives him more air time, as Shenae Grimes clarified that the show will be split 35%-65%, focusing more on the high school students. Kippel added that he's had an "unbelievable time" working on the show, and he'd love to stay until his "character is outdated."

Kippel and Grimes also agreed that the show can keep going - they won't run out of storylines. "It's teenagers. New things happen all the time... Teens in the '70s are different than teens today," Grimes said. She added that the writers are extremely clued in to the latest trends and lingo. Kippel explained that with the internet and media, there will always be new storylines for them to unravel.

Speaking of teen issues, the Degrassiactors have managed to avoid the scandals that plague so many child stars. Grimes quickly said, "It's so silly," with Kippel piping in, "It's so simple!" Grimes continued, saying that acting is her job, and at the end of the day she goes home, where her family and friends keep her grounded. She added that sometimes it's hard on trips like these [coming to New York from Canada] where they're in limos and people are screaming their names, but she said, "Then I go home and I'm taking the subway."

Kippel agreed. "I think it's the people who become consumed with it. It's so easy to keep a level head." He said they do get treated like royalty at some places, but he doesn't get that back home. And though originally Kippel enjoyed that star treatment, it quickly grew old. "Now I welcome coming back to quiet," he said. Both Kippel and Grimes commented that if you're acting just to become famous, you're in the wrong job.

Most people would think the hardest part of staying grounded would be the thousands of screaming fans, especially for the male actors. Kippel, however, said that having a girlfriend "makes it easier. There's always someone who can bring you back to earth." He pointed out, "I do have to reassure her [his girlfriend] more than I might if I wasn't famous, but she knows I wouldn't do anything." Again, Kippel reiterated that staying away from scandal is "the easiest thing in the world." Talk about some kids who have their heads on their shoulders, right?

Onscreen, season seven deals with some pretty intense trouble, commencing with Grimes' character Darcy being confronted with a myriad of calamities. Kippel also hinted that his character Spinner will be facing a personal crisis, providing him with some of his most difficult acting work to date.

Degrassi: The Next Generationis not only a show that teens love because it relates to them, but it's a show that parents should love for their teens to watch. It deals with teen issues as realistically as possible. There is no sugar coating. They tell it like it is. And the actors playing the Degrassi kids are grounded and down to earth, providing fantastic role models for the viewers and fans.

Be sure to tune in to the Degrassi: The Next Generationsseason seven premiere this Friday at 8 p.m. on The N.

Next Week:Check back with Confessions of a TV Maven for my one-on-one interviews with the Degrassicast.