The Best Years
Encyclopedia
The Best Years is a Canadian teen drama series set in Boston
, Massachusetts
. The series was created by producer and writer of Degrassi: The Next Generation
, Aaron Martin. The first season was produced by Global Television Network
, and was shown on Global in Canada and The N in the United States.
When The N produced a second season for the U.S., E! picked up the rights to air it in Canada. Season 2 was made specifically for the U.S on The N, and aired the entire season before Canada picked it up after cancellation, again.
), who receives a scholarship to attend the fictional Ivy League
, Charles University, despite bouncing between foster homes for ten years.
addiction, child molestation, and suicide
. The second season picked up eight months after season one with many characters absent and replaced with new characters and focused romantic entanglements.
in Guelph, Ontario, as well as the University of Toronto
, and interior scenes of the campus were re-created at the Toronto Film Studios.
has released the entire series on DVD in Region 1.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. The series was created by producer and writer of Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
, Aaron Martin. The first season was produced by Global Television Network
Global Television Network
Global Television Network is an English language privately owned television network in Canada, owned by Calgary-based Shaw Communications, as part of its Shaw Media division...
, and was shown on Global in Canada and The N in the United States.
When The N produced a second season for the U.S., E! picked up the rights to air it in Canada. Season 2 was made specifically for the U.S on The N, and aired the entire season before Canada picked it up after cancellation, again.
Synopsis
The show revolves around Samantha Best (Charity SheaCharity Shea
Charity Shea is an American actress. She is best known for her role as troubled teenager Samantha Best in The Best Years. She has starred in films including Alpha Dog with Justin Timberlake and Bruce Willis...
), who receives a scholarship to attend the fictional Ivy League
Ivy League
The Ivy League is an athletic conference comprising eight private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The conference name is also commonly used to refer to those eight schools as a group...
, Charles University, despite bouncing between foster homes for ten years.
Storylines
The storyline follows Samantha Best, who grew up in foster care, and her fellow classmates as they attend the university. The first season included episodes involving cocaineCocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
addiction, child molestation, and suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
. The second season picked up eight months after season one with many characters absent and replaced with new characters and focused romantic entanglements.
Ratings
According to Mediaweek, ratings the show debuted with 323,250 total viewers on Friday, June 29 at 8:30 p.m. ET, which more than doubled the time period average.Production notes
The show's theme song is titled "Infinite Possibility" and was written and performed by Mark Wiebe, also known as Markattack or Sinewave. Outdoor scenes from the show were filmed on the campus of the University of GuelphUniversity of Guelph
The University of Guelph, also known as U of G, is a comprehensive public research university in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1964 after the amalgamation of Ontario Agricultural College, the Macdonald Institute, and the Ontario Veterinary College...
in Guelph, Ontario, as well as the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, and interior scenes of the campus were re-created at the Toronto Film Studios.
DVD releases
Entertainment OneEntertainment One
Entertainment One Ltd is a leading international entertainment business operating in the United States, Canada, the UK, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia and New Zealand...
has released the entire series on DVD in Region 1.
| DVD Name | Ep # | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| The Complete First Season | 13 | March 10, 2009 |
| The Complete Second Season | 8 | June 15, 2010 |
External links
- The Best Years - Official Site
- The Best Years at TheN.com
- Interview with series creator Aaron Martin at YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....