Top 10 Most Ridiculous Degrassi Moments

Let’s hope that Aubrey Drake Graham didn’t help write this atrocious rap behind the scenes. The boys of Downtown Sasquatch struggle to craft a song that would show up Ashley’s group in a battle of the bands. Considering the end of her relationship with Craig, the stakes feel particularly high for him. So Jimmy and Spinner think up this number – but we wish they hadn’t. From its lack of flow to the misogynistic lyrics, it’s truly a mind-bogglingly bad rap. Thankfully, neither Marco nor Craig are into it – their shocked expressions sum up how we feel about the whole thing. At the last minute, the four boys end up performing something different, and it’s a good thing!

Friends, if your goals include getting a girlfriend and breaking a world record, maybe don’t try to set one involving pogo sticks. Just ask Wesley why this is a bad idea. After realizing he hasn’t accomplished any of his dreams, he decides that the way to impress everyone is to set a world record for the most pogo stick jumps in one day. He doesn’t succeed, but he does manage to get a date. As viewers, we can’t help but find the entire premise of this story a little ridiculous. There had to be a better, less cringey way for Wesley to build his self-esteem.

It’s hard not to feel bad for Clare in these episodes. Her ex-boyfriend is living with her and her dad won’t let her move in because he’s playing house with his girlfriend. So when a nice woman at the bookstore tells her that she and her partner house struggling youth, Clare moves in with them. Yet there’s an absurd twist. The lady and her boyfriend are dealin’ grass! The pair, who prefer to be called “herbalists,” run an empire that their runaway housemates help with. It’s all completely unbelievable, and honestly, really unnecessary. Of course, the authorities get involved and Clare moves back home, but we never really unpack what happened. Yet just like that, we never hear from the herbalists again.

Craig had a rough childhood and he struggles with bipolar disorder. But that doesn’t excuse the horrible way he treats his girlfriend Manny. After becoming a “rockstar,” he starts experimenting with an illicit substance, and things get out of hand. He notably forces Manny to have dinner with Ellie, who’s also in love with him. We understand that he’s going through a difficult time, but Manny very clearly stated that she didn’t want to go to the event. And when it goes badly, his version of comforting or reassuring her sounds more condescending than anything else! Things go even further off the rails from there, and let’s just say we were facepalming the whole time.

When Ashley and Toby’s parents go out of town, they end up throwing a crazy bash. Always one to mix things up, J.T. brings a single mind-altering pill. Being the sole responsible party guest, Sean gives him and Toby a placebo and tells Ashley to get rid of the real thing. She ingests it instead, resulting in her hooking up with Sean, being rude to Jimmy and Paige, and generally being a party pooper. We had to rub our eyes to make sure we were seeing all that correctly! Meanwhile, J.T. and Toby hilariously act out, even though they’re sober. The episode feels more like a fever dream than anything else, and frankly unhinged!

Poor Marco; in the course of one episode, he decides that he wants to graduate early so he can live with his boyfriend Dylan. Then, he’s told he can’t give blood due to a blatantly homophobic policy. As if that wasn’t enough, he goes on to learn that his partner is cheating on him. So we honestly understand when he smooches Craig in an attempt to stir up some jealousy in Dylan. The latter’s stunned expression perfectly captures the second-hand embarrassment we feel for Marco. Craig also makes a pretty good – and funny – point. As awkward as the kiss itself was, it gave us one of the funniest moments in “Degrassi” history.

How could we ever forget the episode where Emma accuses Jay of giving her a social disease? In all fairness, Emma is struggling at this point. But hooking up with Jay in a literal van down by the ravine isn’t her finest moment. She’s far from being the only person he’s seeing, much to the dismay of his girlfriend! The ensuing disease outbreak aside, the crème de la crème may be the cheap plastic bracelets Jay gives every girl he seduces. It’s a sleazy move, to put it mildly. Did we mention all of this takes place against a production of “Dracula.” They don’t insinuate that Jay is a vampire, but that would’ve been one heck of a plot twist!

It turns out “Game of Thrones” isn’t the only show to feature twins in an inappropriate relationship. While Declan and Fiona aren’t as over the top as Cersei and Jaime Lannister, their relationship is questionable. It all comes to a head when she has too much to drink and kisses him to make some sort of point during an argument with Holly J. at a party. As New York socialites, their infamous smooch makes it onto Page Six, and even leads to a punny nickname. Thankfully, this plotline was quickly dropped. But really, “Degrassi,” did we need to see this kiss in the first place? We knew that Fiona was a little too attached to Declan. We didn’t need to go this route.

Remember when Manny decided that she didn’t want to be “cute,” she wanted to be “hot”? She achieves this by parading down the hall in a cropped shirt, super low-rise jeans, and a bright blue thong. Naturally, everyone’s jaw drops. Ours too, but it’s because we can’t believe she’d really wear a visible thong to school! Unsurprisingly, the principal calls her out. We get what the idea was here, but that doesn’t make it any less wild! Funnily enough, the infamous look lives on, as Cassie Steele, who played Manny, donned it for a TikTok challenge. She actually crushed it - even her former co-star Drake thought so!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The Suggestive Pictures, Various
The Cheerleaders Learn That Selling Explicit Photos of Themselves Isn’t the Best Idea

Spinner & Emma Get Married, “Degrassi Takes Manhattan” (2010)
They Inexplicably Decide to Stay Together Despite Never Having Dated

Peter’s Substance Use Disorder, “Just Can’t Get Enough”
He Deserves Better Than This Storyline

Jimmy Gets An Artificial Boost, “Basketball Diaries”
There Was Definitely a Less Harmful Way to Improve His Basketball Skills

Sav Finds Out Anya Likes Live Action Role Playing, “Beat It” Parts One & Two
It’s Important to Accept Your Partner’s Hobbies, No Matter How Weird You Think They Are

Archie Simpson really doesn’t get paid enough. Enter Exhibit A: Eli takes a mind-altering substance, showers in the girls’ locker room, and declares himself a superhero. His journey doesn’t stop there, though. He proceeds to run through the school naked carrying a towel as a cape. Somehow, no one is able to stop him, and he embraces Mr. Simpson. Based on his expression, Archie realized he’s vastly underpaid. Eli is going through a rough time at this point though, and Mr. Simpson, being the wonderful human that he is, ultimately offers him guidance. There may be a nice ending, but the moment itself was nothing short of absurdly awkward.