Degrassi: The Next Generation (season 6) - Reception

Reception

Season six was watched by fewer Canadian viewers than season five, which achieved an average of 767,000 viewers, and had one episode watched by a million viewers. The first twelve episodes of season six only averaged 500,000 viewers; the first episode after the winter break, broadcast on March 28, 2007, was watched by a season high of 645,000 viewers. The season finale was watched by 520,000 viewers, and the season eventually averaged 522,000 viewers.

Years after compromising its integrity for a shot at the more superficial US market, Degrassi: The Next Generation makes a welcome return to form with a season finale that trades, not in the high school stereotypes it has lately relied upon, but on a tempestuous same-sex romance that mines real emotions with poignant dramatic effect.

The sixth season received mixed reviews from the media. Laura Betker of the Winnipeg Sun said, "Wrapping up plot lines so quickly creates a bit of disappointment for audiences. Typically, season finales end with exciting cliffhangers to entice fan interest. Degrassi’s finale really had no loose ends. There is no pending excitement for fans and the two-part finale became a disappointment. The episodes felt more like a series finale rather than just a season ending." In his end of year review, Joel Rubnoff of the Waterloo Region Record said Degrassi: The Next Generation was one of the best shows of 2007, adding, "The greatest teen show on the planet rediscovers its mojo with a same sex romance between control freak Paige and teen rebel Alexa. The year's most compelling—and bittersweet—love story." AfterEllen.com, a website which focuses on the portrayal of lesbian and bisexual women in the media, and owned by MTV Networks' Logo cable television network reported on the portrayal of two Degrassi: The Next Generation lesbian characters. "Paige and Alex's relationship, developed over three seasons, has become one of the best portrayals of a lesbian teen relationship we've seen on American television," said Sarah Warn, the website's Editor in Chief, before giving the series an "A" Grade for the portrayal of class issues, character development, sexual orientation, dialogue, the relationship and lesbian sex.

The season received nominations for eight different awards, and won two. At the Directors Guild of Canada Awards, the episode "Can't Hardly Wait" was nominated in the category for "Outstanding Achievement in a Television Series - Family", and Stephen Stanley was nominated in the "Outstanding Achievement in Production Design - Television Series" category for "What's it Feel Like To Be a Ghost? Part Two". At the Gemini Awards, Shenae Grimes won the category for "Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series" for her portrayal of Darcy Edwards in the episode "Eyes Without a Face Part Two". Degrassi: The Next Generation received three other Gemini Award nominations, for "Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series", "Best Original Music Score for a Dramatic Series", and "Best Sound in a Dramatic Series". In the US, the series won its second Teen Choice Award for "Choice Summer TV Show", and Marc Donato was nominated for "Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series Recurring Young Actor" at the Young Artist Awards.