Screens: Comedy Central
For fans of either the Degrassi franchise or of Canada in general, one of the most memorable and beloved sketches of Kroll Show's first season was Wheels Ontario, the story of Mike, a new kid at a high school where all the other students happen to use wheelchairs. This was, of course, the (il)logical extension to Degrassi's Wheelchair Jimmy plotline of earlier this century, and the (il)logical extension of Degrassi's guiding principles: tolerance, diversity, politeness.
Reportedly, the reason Wheels didn't show up in more than one episode was that it was shot late in the schedule and producers hadn't anticipated the great response it would get in time to make more than one installment but since Degrassi fans are both legion and crazy invested, that will reportedly be rectified this season. The degree to which Kroll Show is investing in Wheels Ontario is evident in the latest episode: not only do we get a full Wheels storyline (Mike pops his "Don Cherry"...or does he?!), but there's an opening framing device in the form of a Canadian talent-search competition show (Show Us Your Songs, Toronto); a guest shot from Lauren Collins, a.k.a. Degrassi's Paige Michalchuk; and much more about Bryan La Croix, who plays Mike, including the début of the video for his new single. In respect for each element, we'll grade each segment's Canadianosity separately. (Also in respect for our separatist brothers and sisters in Québec.)
Show Us Your Songs, Toronto: Mary Belle Edwards has barely gotten through the first four lines of "Land Of The Silver Birch" before the supremely supportive members of the judging panel have leapt to their feet. Gene Creemers soberly apologizes to her First Nations drummer for all the indignities his ancestors suffered, and then Mary Belle learns that she's won a guest spot on Wheels Ontario (which in this universe may be the only scripted show on Canadian National Television).
Just how Canadian is this?
Wheels Ontario: When Mike contemplates losing his virginity to Collette, the Prime Minister of Student Parliament, he invites her to a maple-tree-tapping event...but not before visiting Nurse Teacher to get his free government safe sex kit, including a dental dam in case he wants to "perform some cunnilingus," and a butt plug he can use "for someone's exit." Meanwhile, a ten-months-pregnant Tunes is challenged when she goes into labour and her Canadian-Lamaze coach is nowhere to be found!
Just how Canadian is this?
NTR 2 Win: Bryan La Croix attempts to develop his brand beyond his role on Wheels Ontario by striking out as a solo pop artist! (This one particularly struck home with me because for the first several months of Justin Bieber's ascendancy, I was pretty sure he was this kid from Degrassi.) "NTR 2 Win" is a fun pop song for sure, but if you listen closely to the lyrics, you may find there's a hidden message....
Just how Canadian is this?