Note: The N, the American home of Degrassi, doesn’t always show the same episodes in the same order as CTV. So while it is the seventh season on both sides of the St. Lawrence River, it may not always be that way.

The WGA may be striking, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be new shows to watch anywhere. It just means that viewers in the US may have to strike out in new directions — a web-only series like Mr. Robinson’s Driving School on MSNBC may satisfy your itch for quirky, sketch-driven comedy while those of you looking for a teen drama to take the place of “Gossip Girl” when it eventually stops airing new episodes may satisfy that craving with “Degrassi: The Next Generation”.

As much as I’d like to scold you for watching “Gossip Girl” (I confess, I watch it sometimes, though not for long, as those poor HaraGossip girls just make me sad), I’d rather take this opportunity to catch you up on what’s been going on in season 7 of Degrassi.

Season 6 saw the murder of Degrassi student J.T. Yorke at the hands of a Lakehurst boy, a tragic consequence of the tension that had been simmering between Degrassi and its crosstown rival. Students at both schools barely had any time to mourn before a fire destroyed Lakehurst’s schoolbulding, forcing the student bodies to merge and share Degrassi’s facilities. Degrassi isn’t in a mood to play the welcoming host, and Lakehurst isn’t being polite — fights break out whenever students get too close, and teachers are too busy trying to run the school to keep their students from killing each other.

While Degrassi cheerleader Manny works on a bi-partisan committee to increase the peace, Toby doesn’t hesitate to call out the Lakehurst crowd for their contribution to J.T.’s demise. Spinner takes the same tack, using the fear and frustration from a recent testicular cancer diagnosis to battle with anyone and anything that gets in his way. Thank goodness Lakehurst student Jane is there to talk him down from the ledge and help him focus on fighting his illness, and not his fellow students.

Elsewhere, good girl Darcy is reeling. She’s finally coming to terms with the fact that she was raped after being drugged at a party she was forbidden to attend. Boyfriend Peter and school counselor Ms. Sauve are doing what they can, but the only person who knows Darcy was raped is Peter. And now media teacher Mr. Simpson, an unlikely confidant and ally, who promises not to tell anybody else about Darcy’s stark revelation. I’m guessing that his choice to keep mum is going to make for poor consequences for him and for Darcy, but I’m not going to give that away just yet.

And over at University — we’re now in the second year for some recent Degrassi alumni — Marco is finally ready to move on after boyfriend Dylan took off to play professional hockey in Switzerland. Paige’s new fashionista job was the last straw in her relationship with Miss Alex. Ellie is still dating her “plays 23 but looks 33″ editor Jesse. I’m hoping the college portion of the show gets juicier, though I don’t know if dorm life can quite compete with the pressure cooker of high school.

I sense the violence may give way to a fairly palpable resentment, as Lakehurt’s mega-biatch Holly J. (sister to phantom Degrassi student Heather Sinclair) continues to assert her presence. Her misinterpretation of a shared racial (though not exactly racist) joke between Manny and Damian nearly derailed the unification process, and I don’t think she’s quite done yet. It will be interesting to see what other new relationships may form — I’m excited about Jane and Spinner, though the eventual breakup of second year seniors Ashley and Jimmy over a difference of opinion in their musical future is less happily
anticipated.

And yes, I know this is all confusing. Why should you care about a bunch of Canadian teenagers and their drama? It’s entertaining, it feels as authentic as a scripted show can feel, and it’s an import I am happy to promote in the spirit of Canadian-US relations.

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Jessica Stroup, soon to gain attention on the CW’s hotly anticipated “90210,” tells us the production has been “unlike anything” she’s experienced before. “They’re keeping it so secret,” says the actress, whose credits range from a recurring role on “Reaper” to the big screen “The Hills Have Eyes II.”  Stroup, who plays teenage YouTube show star Erin Silver — just Silver to her friends — on the new show, says that at first mention of a contemporary “90210″ spinoff, “I kind of shrugged it off, like, ‘Really? That’s amazing, if it’s done with the right people.’

I auditioned for the Annie role” — that went to Shenae Grimes of “Degrassi: The Next Generation.” “I was told they were going a different way, but I got the option to try out for Silver, which went through multiple changes.”

That was especially as the show changed hands, from creator and former “Veronica Mars” producer Rob Thomas, who stepped down due to other commitments — “I have the utmost respect for him” — to Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah of “What About Brian” and “Freaks & Geeks” fame. The duo subsequently rethought the “90210″ pilot. “Gabe and Jeff are absolute geniuses,” Jessica enthuses. “They listen to what you have to say as far as input into the character. When they got hold of the reins, they changed mine a lot. I’m thrilled with her.” Adds Stroup of the Sept. 2-debuting “90210,” “They wanted to be sure they were being loyal to the old fans while creating a show the new generation was going to tap into.”

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: If anyone thinks Americans don’t stand up and express their concerns, host of “Trading Spaces” Paige Davis, who was fired from the show and later brought back, can attest that there are some passionate people out there. At least when it comes to their viewing preferences. “People love their TV. I wish people would write as many letters and get so upset about different things in government instead of when their host is gone from their favorite show,” says Davis about the tremendous amount of support she got after being ousted from the show. “To have that kind of support helped me get through that. People would say, ‘Oh, I don’t watch the show anymore because you’re gone.’ I don’t even know if that is true, but it makes you feel good.”

CATCHING UP: Robby Benson is busy with post-production on his latest directorial project, the movie “Billy: The Early Years,” which tells the story of the youthful career of evangelist Billy Graham, and is expected to hit some 300-plus theaters Oct. 10, in celebration of Rev. Graham’s 90th birthday. Arnie Hammer — grandson of late oil tycoon Armand Hammer — plays Graham. Benson and wife Karla recently performed his “Open Heart” play with music in Iowa, having already done an off-Broadway stint with the show inspired by the actor/director/author/musician and NYU professor’s treacherous history of heart problems and surgeries.

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