Blog | interviews

Gotta love an on-the-set vid that begins with Stacey Farber (aka Ellie) saying "I'm going to puke all over everybody." Who knew being an actor required such an iron stomach and bladder?

We've got lots more peeks behind the scenes at Degrassi in today's playlist... such as a day of goofing off on Degrassi's roof, the cast watching Lakehurst kids descend on "their" school, more from Aubrey Graham, Mike Lobel, Jake Epstein... and fights and drama! Well, fake fights and fake drama. Click here for today's whole list!

If your goal is to further deepen your understanding of the inner workings of Degrassi, we have indispensable tools to aid in your quest: On the Set videos. Want to be a fly on the wall the day the cast found out that JT would die, and see him wrap his last Degrassi scene ever? No sweat; here you go:

And there's more where that came from... today's Degrassi: On the Set playlist includes some on-set banter between Sean and Emma, backstage jitters at the most insane Degrassi event we ever held, and much more! Check it out!

Before he was Drake, he was Degrassi's Jimmy. And right after he put the finishing touches on the Comeback Season mixtape, he gave us one of his trademark super-candid interviews about... everything. Uh, his days of wearing Lady Speed Stick, why he's not interested in a "yes man", and the REAL reason he never answers his phone.

Aubs, we miss you to death, and we remain prouder than peacocks of your ongoing world domination. Couldn't happen to a better guy.

I love re-listening to this old podcast interview with Adamo because he talks about what good roommates he and Lauren Collins (Paige) would make, and here in the future we happen to know that they ended up living together for a long time. Maybe they still do? I'll tweet them and ask.

Also there are too many good pics of Adamo; I kind of went overboard. Sorrry!

Remember when we called up Shenae Grimes and asked her about the scene where Peter grabs her buttock? If not, you're in for a treat.

Those episodes will be re-airing this Saturday as the Degrassi Every Episode Ever marathon continues!

Sometimes I forget how evil Jay was when he first showed up on Degrassi, but Mike Lobel (who played him) has never been evil ever. If you've ever wondered what it's like to hop on the phone with him and have a lickle chit chat, this podcast call we did with him back in the day is pretty indicative:

More classic podcast interviews coming all week... check back!

While Every Degrassi Ever keeps dominating your weekends, we dug into our Classic Degrassi Goodies barrel and pulled out... golden oldie podcast interviews! Back in the day, we'd call Degrassi stars like Lauren Collins up, and she'd tell us stories about blackouts at insane promo shoots. Like so:

This is the first of five classic podcast interviews we'll be posting all week; keep checking back! (Sorry they're in video format, long story... but I chucked up a bunch of gorgeous Paige pics to make up for the static "video.")

Manny fans, check out this Cassie Steele IM-terview from 2005, plus a few vintage pics of li'l Manuella.

The-Mary: hi cassie!
-Cassie-: hey! how r ya?
The-Mary: i'm good... how are you? how is it on the set today?
-Cassie-: fun...kinda sad cuz it's our last day shooting this episode.
-Cassie-: then we get a pretty big break
The-Mary: oh awesome... was this one a good manny episode?
-Cassie-: more so a great emma ep. but manny is definitely in there.
The-Mary: awesome. so i saw that your CD is called "How much for happy" which is the best title ever... what's the story behind that phrase?
-Cassie-: well, anything u want to interpret it as i guess
-Cassie-: how society/ media tells us and advertises what things can make us feel what
-Cassie-: if u buy this bag it makes u happy...if u buy this brand it makes u better then someone else
-Cassie-: but most of all i think its just a cry for help... when you're in that time where u feel happiness is so far and u'll give anything to have it
The-Mary: wow. for real. what makes you happy for real in your real life?
-Cassie-: self satisfaction. at the end of the day to know i did a good job, to see peoples faces in the audience when i'm preforming. to surprise people and do the unexpected. to be unique...friends.
-Cassie-: my social life. i'm such a people pleaser, i guess that's why i'm in the entertainment business.
The-Mary: right, that's a good set-up for you. what are your friends like... have you known them since before degrassi?
-Cassie-: no. i'm the youngest, so i started filming and tutoring on set when i was in grade 7. it was really hard for me and my friends in elementary to adjust to the time that i was away and when i came back. i went to 2 high schools and now i'm home-schooled. i have a really hard time keeping friends. it's hard to find people that won't desert you when ur away for that long
-Cassie-: it's unfair to me and them. i can't expect people to come whenever i call when i'm away for 2 months
-Cassie-: but every summer break i always end up finding someone along the grapevine to party with
The-Mary: yeah... so who do you end up staying closest to?
-Cassie-: not really anyone..
-Cassie-: a lot of my friends i hung out with this summer just went to university
-Cassie-: so i guess i'll see them next summer if they're here
The-Mary: are you close with your family? i met your dad that one time in LA, he seemed SO rad
-Cassie-: yeah i'm really close with my dad
-Cassie-: but sometimes i don't see them
-Cassie-: because me and my mom work during the day and my sister's at school and after a day of work my mom comes home and i go out with friends
-Cassie-: but we always hang out on weekends
The-Mary: so it seems like you could really identify with that period manny went through, which i wanted to talk about anyway... i thought it was SO powerful to see Manny who was so bubbly and had clearly felt so powerful and kind of in control... when she kind of gets smacked down by life...
The-Mary: i thought she seemed so much wiser for it all, like she can See Through people now... do you feel that way about her?
The-Mary: Like she gives DEVASTATING withering looks these days... like that one she gave Spinner after everyone found out about what he'd done..
-Cassie-: yeah like she's kind of jaded
-Cassie-: they haven't really looked into that with other scripts, but i sooo agree. they should show the more serious, cynical real side of her that i know, and everyone knows is there (i have to go in a sec)
The-Mary: i hope we get to dig in to it... ok, i probably should let you go but: any quick music recommendations?
-Cassie-: hm...i'm into 80s stuff mostly
-Cassie-: and indie bands
-Cassie-: jack johnson just had a concert
-Cassie-: that was pretty chylln
-Cassie-: so 0o0o0o its been really fun talking with u and i hope u enjoi the new season
The-Mary: yes, thanks for talking! i know it's hectic over there.
-Cassie-: stay foxy(K)
The-Mary: you TOO hot stuff
-Cassie-: bu-bye!

Let your eyes travel back in time to read a 2006 IM-terview with Jamie Johnston, and check out some pics of Peter from back in the day.

-Jamie-: hi
The-Mary: hey! so ok: digging in: i just read your Alloy playlist, and it is awesome.
-Jamie-: yeaaah heehe
The-Mary: let's talk about the mars volta.
-Jamie-: yes, lets!
The-Mary: ok. so, people seem to have really firm reactions to them, either love or hate. did you love them the first time you heard them? is that just "your noise"?
-Jamie-: yeah, i was on a plane from france and my friend said she "had" to give me the cd so i listened to it while she was listening to my mp3s, and right away it reminded me of these nightmares i used to have, but once i got over that, it was really cool. all their songs go perfectly into the next song. like when i'm listening to an album and it's on shuffle, at the end of the song i sing the lyrics for the next song you know?
The-Mary: totally. it's weird how some things just hit the right frequency in your head... the way people "recognize" something in a band when they first hear them. you play guitar, right?
-Jamie-: yeah
The-Mary: how long have you been playing?
-Jamie-: i started when i was like 10 or something, but my teacher moved away so i haven't had a lesson in a few years.
The-Mary: bah, lessons. who needs 'em. :) ok, so, degrassi
The-Mary: does anyone ever give you grief about what peter did to manny?
-Jamie-: this one girl at my school STILL does and it's been months. i think she just does it as a joke now, but i pretend to be offended anyways
The-Mary: hahahaha. that girl just likes you. sayin'.
-Jamie-: thanks lol
The-Mary: what's your take on peter? is he a bad guy, misunderstood, just made a mistake? i always kinda liked that he really showed remorse for it..
-Jamie-: it's fun playing a 'bad boy' - but peter isn't completely bad. there are too many sides of everyone to narrow a character down to just 'bad', 'good', or whatever...
The-Mary: yeah, every character on there has made one huge embarrassing mistake or another, they're all human...
The-Mary: have you ever let a girl come between you and a friend?
-Jamie-: no, it almost happened once, but i thought everything out logically and it wouldn't have been worth it
The-Mary: damn, that's some strong thinking. how long ago was that?
-Jamie-: this year. actually, this school year, so last year lol
The-Mary: nice work. do you have a gf now? some girl on alloy named kayla said she's your girlfriend.
-Jamie-: lol kayla is not my girlfriend. a real girlfriend wouldn't post like that on the internet
The-Mary: that's what i was thinking, what girl wouldn't get dumped immediately for doing that?
The-Mary: so, is it important that a girl be able to tell you on the plane from france "you have to hear this band?" is that a good quality in a lady?
-Jamie-: nooooo, because they might be like 'listen to this cd, its Spice Girls rarities!' lol
The-Mary: HAHAH
The-Mary: what's the biggest ass you've ever made out of yourself in the name of love?
-Jamie-: being myself. that's a pretty big ass, trust me lol
The-Mary: aw, i doubt it
-Jamie-: i have a large repertoire of bad jokes. from my dad.
The-Mary: awwwww yeah. the right ones will find it charming.
-Jamie-: i hope :|
The-Mary: ok, thank you for talking today!
-Jamie-: no problem. it was nice chatting with you
-Jamie-: its 10 to one, sandwich time!
The-Mary: enjoy!

To prepare for another weekend full of Degrassi, here's a 2005 IM-terview Mary did with Jake Epstein (Craig) -- and some classic Craig pics.

-Jake-: Hi Mary!!
The-Mary: JAKE
-Jake-: Mary!!! How are you?
The-Mary: I am now awesome.
-Jake-: aww
The-Mary: So, what have you been DOING all this busy time?
-Jake-: I've been filming, and prom-ing.
The-Mary: How was prom!?
-Jake-: It was pretty awesome. I went with a really good friend of mine, and we partied the whole night. I had to work on set the next day though...
The-Mary: Oh man. Early call? That's cruel and inhuman.
-Jake-: I agree. It wasn't too too early, but let's just say my acting wasn't ........amazing.
The-Mary: Heh. So any big plans for the summer?
-Jake-: Well, I'm going to be shooting most of the time. Which will be fun. My big sis is moving back to Toronto, so we're thinking of traveling, and just lotso rocknroll and parties.
The-Mary: Rock and roll. Do you burn easily, Jake Epstein? Or are you more of a tanner?
-Jake-: ............my people are from the desert......so yeah I burn!
The-Mary: Wait, if they're from the desert, shouldn't they tan??
-Jake-: ..........yeah......I might tan too one day...one day.
The-Mary: One day when you're not shooting. So what's the last rock show you went to?
-Jake-: Last show I went to was Hawksley Workman.....he's amazing....but just last week I went to see a couple friends of mine at this club downtown T-dot.....they're called Golden Ticket, and they're funky. What was the last show you went to?
The-Mary: Me, the Hold Steady. Who are awesome and who you should check out, though they're not everyone's cup of tea. They have a classic rock sound and great storytelling.
-Jake-: I'd love to hear some of their music....maybe you can send it over.....we can exchange music?
The-Mary: YES, gladly. So when you go to a show, do you stand at the front or the back?
-Jake-: Depends what mood I'm in. I went to the Red Hot Chili Peppers last year, and I waited 8 hours to see them front row in the mosh pit. But other times the pit can be rough, so I like to chill and listen to the music.
The-Mary: Word. At least you can see from the back, being somewhat tall.
-Jake-: I am somewhat tall. This is true. I'm also somewhat trim....?
The-Mary: What songs would you put on a mix CD for a girl that you would never put on one for a boy?
-Jake-: ..........definitely some Hawksley- "safe and sound"......some Coldplay "green eyes" and maybe some Jack Johnson.
The-Mary: So, ok, before I lose you I have to ask some Degrassi questions!
-Jake-: Alright, degras away.
The-Mary: Without giving anything away, since the US-ers haven't seen it yet... we know Craig has a moment with [TOP SECRET]... how do you feel about that? Was it tough to perform?
-Jake-: It was strange, but we were professional. I approached from a professional actor's perspective............does that make any sense?
The-Mary: Completely.
The-Mary: Did you injure yourself at all in the manic Craig shoots? Like that hotel room scene looked kinda harsh on the ol' joints...
-Jake-: Yeah, it was pretty wild.....I actually broke a lamp during the scene and electrocuted my hand.....but I was so into it I just kept going. It was a really intense couple weeks of filming.
The-Mary: I bet.
-Jake-: Alright Mary, I was just told I have 2 minutes before I have to go back to set to film.....
The-Mary: OK one more quickie... I know this was a while ago, but when they made those "Craig in flames" T-shirts for the girls to wear, was it weird seeing your face all burny all over the place?
-Jake-: Yeah it was totally weird! But really funny.....my friends all got hold of those Tees and wore them for about a month.
The-Mary: Ha! Awesome. OK, go back to work, make awesome Degrassis.
The-Mary: Tell everyone they're the best. Including yourself.
-Jake-: Always. Thanks for the talk. It was fun!
The-Mary: Take care and thanks tons!