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Fame (1982 TV series)
Encyclopedia
Fame is an American
television series originally produced between 1982 and 1987. The show was based on the 1980 motion picture of the same name. Using a mixture of drama and music, it followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Although fictional, it was based heavily on the actual Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
in New York. Most interior scenes were filmed in Hollywood, California. In all seasons except the 3rd, the show filmed several exterior scenes on location in New York City
.
The popularity of the series, particularly in the UK, led to several hit records and live concert tours by the cast. Despite its success, very few of the actors maintained high-profile careers after the series was cancelled. A number of the cast members were seen again briefly in Bring Back...Fame, a reunion special made for UK television in 2008.
and was initially broadcast on the NBC
television network in the US on January 7, 1982. Despite glowing reviews from critics, ratings were less than impressive, and NBC cancelled it after only two seasons. However, by special arrangement with LBS Communications, MGM revived the series for first-run syndication in the fall of 1983, where it continued for four more seasons, with the last first-run episode airing in the US on May 18, 1987.
Some seasons of the show were produced by the BBC
in the United Kingdom
, RAI
in Italy
and Channel 7
in Australia
, where later seasons of the show were more popular than in the domestic market, and in order to continue production, they financed the later seasons.
Following its cancellation, two versions of the series were syndicated in reruns: the original hour-long episodes, which usually contained a primary plot, a sub plot and two or more musical numbers; and a second version, stripped of the musical numbers and the sub plot and reduced to 30 minutes in length.
The show's theme song
was a pop hit for singer Irene Cara
, having been featured in the motion picture. A re-recorded version of the theme, using similar instrumentation to the 1980 track, was used in the TV series and sung by co-star Erica Gimpel
, who played Coco Hernandez.
Although Gimpel left the series midway through the third season (after the show moved from NBC to first-run syndication in 1983), her opening vocals were still heard on the show for two more seasons. An updated version of the song, featuring a modern, synthesized hard-rock flavor, was introduced in the fall of 1985 and performed by new cast member Loretta Chandler (Dusty). This version ran for the final two seasons of Fame.
"I Still Believe In Me", from an episode of the series entitled "Passing Grade", was nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Original Song. It was performed by Erica Gimpel
and Debbie Allen
and co-written by Gary Portnoy
who would go on to co-write and sing the Theme from Cheers (Where Everybody Knows Your Name)
. In the UK, two singles credited to The Kids from "Fame"
, "Hi-Fidelity" and "Starmaker", reached the top ten.
There were four cast members from the original movie that appeared in the television series. Lee Curreri
portrayed the character Bruno Martelli, an introverted musical genius.
The second cast member was Gene Anthony Ray
who portrayed Leroy Johnson, a tough hood from the projects with a natural talent for dance who muscles his way into an audition and wins. In the film, Leroy is also illiterate, but this was not addressed in the television series.
The third film castmember was Albert Hague
who played teacher Benjamin Shorofsky, a European music teacher who constantly battled with Bruno Martelli over music styles. Last was Debbie Allen
who played dance instructor Lydia Grant. Although Allen only appeared briefly in the movie, her character was expanded in the series and she also became the show's original choreographer, in addition to directing several episodes and co-producing one season.
There were also several characters carried over from the movie, played by different actors. The character of Coco Hernandez appeared on the show, played by Erica Gimpel
and not Irene Cara
. Actor P.R. Paul
played Montgomery McNeil in the series while ER actor Paul McCrane
portrayed him in the film. Montgomery was no longer gay. The character Doris Schwartz, played by Valerie Landsburg, was in the series while the character of Doris Finsecker appeared in the film version and was portrayed by Maureen Teefy
.
The character of Ralph Garcy metamorphosed into the character of Danny Amatullo for the TV version.
Since 2011, reruns of Fame air in the United States on the arts-focused cable network Ovation.
and choreographer Debbie Allen
, who had a small role in the motion picture but played a major character in the television version, also won several awards.
released the first season of Fame on DVD in Region 1 on November 1, 2005. This is now out of print as the home video rights are now owned by 20th Century Fox
.
20th Century Fox
(under license from (MGM
) released the complete first and second seasons of Fame on DVD in Region 1 and Region 2 on September 15, 2009. http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Fame-Seasons-1-and-2/12033
TV in the UK screened a 90-minute special titled Bring Back...
Fame, which sought out and reunited some of the original cast members of the television series.
Presented by Justin Lee Collins
, and apparently filmed the previous summer, the show followed the presenter around the United States as he tracked down actors from the series and then staged a reunion. The programme showed Collins appearing to surprise the former cast members in locations including restaurants, a recording studio, a gym, LAX airport and a cinema, before interviewing them and persuading them to take part in the reunion.
The actors featured in the programme were Debbie Allen, Carol Mayo Jenkins, Lee Curreri, Erica Gimpel, Valerie Landsburg and Carlo Imperato.
Also interviewed were Irene Cara, who did not appear in the TV series but sang the theme song and played Coco in the original motion picture, and the mother of the late Gene Anthony Ray. It was not stated whether other actors from the series had also been approached but had declined to take part. Excerpts from the TV series were shown throughout the programme. The final scenes of the programme showed the six principal actors and a number of backing dancers taking part in a recreation of the title sequence of the TV programme.
The programme was made for and broadcast on Channel 4, despite Fame having originally been shown in the UK on the BBC
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television series originally produced between 1982 and 1987. The show was based on the 1980 motion picture of the same name. Using a mixture of drama and music, it followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Although fictional, it was based heavily on the actual Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts is a high school specializing in teaching visual arts and performing arts, located near Lincoln Center and the Juilliard School in the Lincoln Center district of Manhattan, on Amsterdam Avenue...
in New York. Most interior scenes were filmed in Hollywood, California. In all seasons except the 3rd, the show filmed several exterior scenes on location in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
The popularity of the series, particularly in the UK, led to several hit records and live concert tours by the cast. Despite its success, very few of the actors maintained high-profile careers after the series was cancelled. A number of the cast members were seen again briefly in Bring Back...Fame, a reunion special made for UK television in 2008.
Details
The show was produced by MGM TelevisionMGM Television
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television is an American television production/distribution launched in 1955 and a subsidiary of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc....
and was initially broadcast on the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
television network in the US on January 7, 1982. Despite glowing reviews from critics, ratings were less than impressive, and NBC cancelled it after only two seasons. However, by special arrangement with LBS Communications, MGM revived the series for first-run syndication in the fall of 1983, where it continued for four more seasons, with the last first-run episode airing in the US on May 18, 1987.
Some seasons of the show were produced by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, RAI
RAI
RAI — Radiotelevisione italiana S.p.A. known until 1954 as Radio Audizioni Italiane, is the Italian state owned public service broadcaster controlled by the Ministry of Economic Development. Rai is the biggest television company in Italy...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and Channel 7
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, where later seasons of the show were more popular than in the domestic market, and in order to continue production, they financed the later seasons.
Following its cancellation, two versions of the series were syndicated in reruns: the original hour-long episodes, which usually contained a primary plot, a sub plot and two or more musical numbers; and a second version, stripped of the musical numbers and the sub plot and reduced to 30 minutes in length.
The show's theme song
Fame (Irene Cara song)
"Fame" is a pop song, written by Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford that was released in 1980, and achieved chart success as the theme song to the Fame film and TV series. The song was performed by Irene Cara, who played the role of Coco Hernandez in the original movie...
was a pop hit for singer Irene Cara
Irene Cara
Irene Cara is an American singer and actress. Cara won an Academy Award in 1984 in the category of Best Original Song for co-writing "Flashdance... What a Feeling." She is also known for her recording of the song "Fame", and she also starred in the 1980 film Fame.She married Hollywood stuntman...
, having been featured in the motion picture. A re-recorded version of the theme, using similar instrumentation to the 1980 track, was used in the TV series and sung by co-star Erica Gimpel
Erica Gimpel
Erica Fawn Gimpel , American television actress. She is best known for her roles on television shows Fame as Coco Hernandez and on Profiler as Angel Brown. She is also known for her major recurring roles on the television shows ER as Adele Newman and on Veronica Mars as Alicia Fennel...
, who played Coco Hernandez.
Although Gimpel left the series midway through the third season (after the show moved from NBC to first-run syndication in 1983), her opening vocals were still heard on the show for two more seasons. An updated version of the song, featuring a modern, synthesized hard-rock flavor, was introduced in the fall of 1985 and performed by new cast member Loretta Chandler (Dusty). This version ran for the final two seasons of Fame.
"I Still Believe In Me", from an episode of the series entitled "Passing Grade", was nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Original Song. It was performed by Erica Gimpel
Erica Gimpel
Erica Fawn Gimpel , American television actress. She is best known for her roles on television shows Fame as Coco Hernandez and on Profiler as Angel Brown. She is also known for her major recurring roles on the television shows ER as Adele Newman and on Veronica Mars as Alicia Fennel...
and Debbie Allen
Debbie Allen
Deborrah Kaye “Debbie” Allen is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities...
and co-written by Gary Portnoy
Gary Portnoy
Gary Portnoy is a singer/ songwriter from New York, best known for co-writing and singing the theme songs to two U.S. television sitcoms:*Cheers Theme: "Where Everybody Knows Your Name"*Punky Brewster Theme: "Every Time I Turn Around"...
who would go on to co-write and sing the Theme from Cheers (Where Everybody Knows Your Name)
Theme from Cheers (Where Everybody Knows Your Name)
"Where Everybody Knows Your Name" is the theme song from the 1980s television sitcom Cheers. The song was written by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo and performed by Portnoy...
. In the UK, two singles credited to The Kids from "Fame"
The Kids from "Fame"
The Kids from "Fame" was the group name of several cast members from the US TV series Fame who had a number of hit singles and albums at the height of the show's success in the UK. This success culminated in tours of the UK where they performed live in concert...
, "Hi-Fidelity" and "Starmaker", reached the top ten.
There were four cast members from the original movie that appeared in the television series. Lee Curreri
Lee Curreri
Lee Curreri is an American actor and musician. He was born in The Bronx, New York.He played piano with In vitro musical group, and the Iona College Singers....
portrayed the character Bruno Martelli, an introverted musical genius.
The second cast member was Gene Anthony Ray
Gene Anthony Ray
Gene Anthony Ray was an American actor, dancer, and choreographer. He was best known for his portrayal of dancer Leroy Johnson in both the 1980 film Fame and the 1982–1987 Fame television series based upon the film.-Early life and career:Born in Harlem, New York, Ray grew up in the...
who portrayed Leroy Johnson, a tough hood from the projects with a natural talent for dance who muscles his way into an audition and wins. In the film, Leroy is also illiterate, but this was not addressed in the television series.
The third film castmember was Albert Hague
Albert Hague
Albert Hague was a German-born songwriter, composer, and actor.-Early life:Hague was born as Albert Marcuse to a Jewish family in Berlin, Germany. His father, Harry Marcuse, was a psychiatrist and a musical prodigy, and his mother, Mimi , a chess champion...
who played teacher Benjamin Shorofsky, a European music teacher who constantly battled with Bruno Martelli over music styles. Last was Debbie Allen
Debbie Allen
Deborrah Kaye “Debbie” Allen is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities...
who played dance instructor Lydia Grant. Although Allen only appeared briefly in the movie, her character was expanded in the series and she also became the show's original choreographer, in addition to directing several episodes and co-producing one season.
There were also several characters carried over from the movie, played by different actors. The character of Coco Hernandez appeared on the show, played by Erica Gimpel
Erica Gimpel
Erica Fawn Gimpel , American television actress. She is best known for her roles on television shows Fame as Coco Hernandez and on Profiler as Angel Brown. She is also known for her major recurring roles on the television shows ER as Adele Newman and on Veronica Mars as Alicia Fennel...
and not Irene Cara
Irene Cara
Irene Cara is an American singer and actress. Cara won an Academy Award in 1984 in the category of Best Original Song for co-writing "Flashdance... What a Feeling." She is also known for her recording of the song "Fame", and she also starred in the 1980 film Fame.She married Hollywood stuntman...
. Actor P.R. Paul
P.R. Paul
Paul Ray Rosenbaum , known by the stage name P. R. Paul, is an American actor who is best known for playing the role of Montgomery McNeil on the TV series Fame.-External links:...
played Montgomery McNeil in the series while ER actor Paul McCrane
Paul McCrane
Paul David McCrane is an American film, television and theatre actor, as well as an occasional television director. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Montgomery MacNeil in the 1980 film Fame and Dr. Robert Romano on the NBC medical drama television series ER.-Early life:McCrane was...
portrayed him in the film. Montgomery was no longer gay. The character Doris Schwartz, played by Valerie Landsburg, was in the series while the character of Doris Finsecker appeared in the film version and was portrayed by Maureen Teefy
Maureen Teefy
Maureen Jane Teefy is an American actress. Her films include Fame , Grease 2 and Supergirl .-Life and career:...
.
The character of Ralph Garcy metamorphosed into the character of Danny Amatullo for the TV version.
Since 2011, reruns of Fame air in the United States on the arts-focused cable network Ovation.
Awards
The series won a number of Emmy awards and in 1983 and 1984 was voted the Golden Globe Awards: Television, Best Series, Musical/Comedy. Actress, directorTelevision director
A television director directs the activities involved in making a television program and is part of a television crew.-Duties:The duties of a television director vary depending on whether the production is live or recorded to video tape or video server .In both types of productions, the...
and choreographer Debbie Allen
Debbie Allen
Deborrah Kaye “Debbie” Allen is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities...
, who had a small role in the motion picture but played a major character in the television version, also won several awards.
Faculty
- Debbie AllenDebbie AllenDeborrah Kaye “Debbie” Allen is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities...
as Lydia Grant - Albert HagueAlbert HagueAlbert Hague was a German-born songwriter, composer, and actor.-Early life:Hague was born as Albert Marcuse to a Jewish family in Berlin, Germany. His father, Harry Marcuse, was a psychiatrist and a musical prodigy, and his mother, Mimi , a chess champion...
as Benjamin Shorofsky - Carol Mayo JenkinsCarol Mayo JenkinsCarol Mayo Jenkins is an American actress who is most famous for having played Elizabeth Sherwood in seasons 1-5 of the T.V. series Fame...
as Elizabeth Sherwood (seasons 1-5) - Ann M. Nelson as Mrs. Gertrude Berg (Seasons 1-6)
- Ken Swofford as Quentin Morloch (Seasons 3- 5.09)
- Graham JarvisGraham JarvisGraham Jarvis was a Canadian character actor in US films and TV from the 1960s.Born in Toronto, Jarvis attended Williams College before moving to New York to pursue a career in theater...
as Principal Bob Dyrenforth (Seasons 5.10- 6) - Morgan StevensMorgan StevensMorgan Stevens is an American actor, primarily seen on television.He appeared as Paul Northridge in one episode of The Waltons and in three reunion movies. In A Wedding on Walton's Mountain, his character married the character of Erin Walton...
as David Reardon (season 2, recurring seasons 3 & 4) - Eric PierpointEric PierpointEric Pierpoint is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his role as George Francisco on Fox Network's Alien Nation. He has appeared on all of the Star Trek spin-offs. He played five characters in the four series from 1993 to 2005.He is the son of retired CBS news correspondent Robert...
as Paul Seeger (Season 6.03) - Michael Thoma as Greg Crandall (Season 1)
Students
- Gene Anthony RayGene Anthony RayGene Anthony Ray was an American actor, dancer, and choreographer. He was best known for his portrayal of dancer Leroy Johnson in both the 1980 film Fame and the 1982–1987 Fame television series based upon the film.-Early life and career:Born in Harlem, New York, Ray grew up in the...
as Leroy Johnson - Carlo ImperatoCarlo ImperatoCarlo Imperato is an American actor, best known for his role as School of Performing Arts student Danny Amatullo in the 1982 Fame TV series.-Early life:...
as Danny Amatullo (Seasons 1-6) - Billy HufseyBilly HufseyBilly Hufsey is an American actor and singer.-Career:Billy Hufsey emerged as a minor television singing sensation in the mid-1980s, playing the role of Christopher Donlon on the syndicated drama Fame. He went on to play the role of another singing hopeful, Emilio Ramirez, on the daytime drama Days...
as Christopher Donlon (seasons 3-6) - Valerie Landsburg-McVayValerie LandsburgValerie Landsburg is an American actress, television and film director, screenwriter, and singer-songwriter. She is best known for her role as Doris Schwartz in the 1982 series Fame, interpreting, for television, the role that Maureen Teefy had originated in the film. She was also the lead singer...
as Doris Schwartz (seasons 1-4) - Jesse BorregoJesse BorregoJesse Borrego is an American actor. Better knownfor playing Cruz Candelaria in Blood in, Blood out and later guest starring as George King in Dexter. Borrego, a Mexican American, was born in San Antonio, Texas. He considered going into the US Air Force to become a pilot...
as Jesse Velasquez (seasons 4-6) - Lee CurreriLee CurreriLee Curreri is an American actor and musician. He was born in The Bronx, New York.He played piano with In vitro musical group, and the Iona College Singers....
as Bruno Martelli (seasons 1-3) - Cynthia GibbCynthia GibbCynthia Gibb is an American actress and former model who has starred in film and on television. She is 5'-2" tall.-Biography:...
as Holly Laird (seasons 3-5) - Nia Peeples GeorgeNia PeeplesVirenia Gwendolyn "Nia" Peeples is an American R&B and dance music singer and actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Nicole Chapman on Fame...
as Nicole Chapman (seasons 4-6) - Erica GimpelErica GimpelErica Fawn Gimpel , American television actress. She is best known for her roles on television shows Fame as Coco Hernandez and on Profiler as Angel Brown. She is also known for her major recurring roles on the television shows ER as Adele Newman and on Veronica Mars as Alicia Fennel...
as Coco Hernandez (seasons 1-3,recurring Seasons 4-6) - Loretta Chandler as Dusty Tyler (seasons 5-6)
- Lori SingerLori SingerLori Singer is an American actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Ariel Moore, the female lead in the 1984 feature film Footloose, and as Julie Miller in the television series Fame.-Film and television career:...
as Julie Miller (seasons 1-2) - Carrie HamiltonCarrie HamiltonCarrie Louise Hamilton was an American actress, singer, and playwright. She was the daughter of comedienne/actress Carol Burnett and producer Joe Hamilton.-Life:...
as Reggie Higgins (seasons 5-6) - Janet JacksonJanet JacksonJanet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
as Cleo Hewitt (season 4) - Michael CerverisMichael CerverisMichael Cerveris is an American singer, guitarist and actor. He has performed in many stage musicals and plays, including in several Stephen Sondheim musicals: Assassins, Sweeney Todd, Road Show, and Passion...
as Ian Ware (season 6) - Elisa HeinsohnElisa HeinsohnElisa Heinsohn is an actress who starred as Jillian Beckett in the sixth season of the television series version of Fame. She was Meg Giry in the original Broadway cast of The Phantom of the Opera in 1988....
as Jillian Beckett (season 6) - P.R. PaulP.R. PaulPaul Ray Rosenbaum , known by the stage name P. R. Paul, is an American actor who is best known for playing the role of Montgomery McNeil on the TV series Fame.-External links:...
as Montgomery MacNeil (season 1, final episode of season 6) - Page HannahPage HannahPage Hannah is an American television and film actress. She is married to Lou Adler and the couple have four sons, Manny, Ike, Pablo, and Oscar. She is the sister of actress Daryl Hannah...
as Kate Riley (seasons 5) - Olivia BarashOlivia BarashOlivia Barash is an American actress. She has appeared in many films, including the cult film Repo Man, as well as television series in her career, including Little House on the Prairie, Charlie's Angels, Soap, Fame, and St. Elsewhere...
as Maxie Sharp (season 6)
Additional characters
- Dick MillerDick MillerRichard "Dick" Miller is an American character actor who has appeared in over 100 films, particularly those produced by Roger Corman, and later in films of directors who started their careers with Corman, including James Cameron and Joe Dante, with the distinction of appearing in every film made...
as Lou Mackie (season 6, recurring previously on seasons 4 & 5) - Stephanie E. Williams as Stephanie Harrison (season 2)
Recurring characters
- Carmine CaridiCarmine CaridiCarmine Caridi is an American television and film actor. He has appeared in a wide variety of roles over the past 30 years. He lives in West Hollywood.- Career :...
as Angelo Martelli (seasons 1–2) - Michael DeLorenzoMichael DeLorenzoMichael DeLorenzo is an American actor, director and musician. He is best known for his portrayal of NYPD Detective Eddie Torres on the Fox Thursday night television series New York Undercover which was aired from 1994-1998....
as Michael (seasons 1–3) - Denny DillonDenny DillonDenise "Denny" Dillon is an American comedian and former cast member of Saturday Night Live. At 4'11" , Dillon is the shortest cast member in the show's history...
as Corky (season 6) - David GreenleeDavid GreenleeDavid Greenlee is an American voice actor and actor best known for his portrayal of the nerdy hall monitor Dwight in the 1982 television series Fame from season 2 through to season 5 .-Anime Roles:...
as Dwight Mendenhall (seasons 2–5) - Robert RomanusRobert RomanusRobert Romanus , also billed as Bob Romanus, is an American actor and musician who has starred in film and television. He is best remembered for his role in the 1982 comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High as the ticket scalper Mike Damone, and as Natalie Green's boyfriend Snake on The Facts of Life...
as Miltie Horowitz (seasons 5–6) - Carolyn J. Silas as Laura Mackie (season 6)
- Sam SlovickSam SlovickSam Slovick is an American actor, musician, and writer.As an actor, he appeared in the movies Red Dawn and Home for the Holidays and the TV series Fame....
as Cassidy (season 4) - Bronwyn Thomas as Michelle (season 1–4)
- Caryn WardCaryn WardCaryn Ward is an American actress, dancer and choreographer. She is perhaps best known for her recurring role as Erica Harrison on the sitcom The Game.-Early life and career:...
as Tina Johnson (seasons 5–6)
DVD releases
Sony Pictures Home EntertainmentSony Pictures Home Entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the home video distribution arm of Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation. It was established in November 1979 as Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment, releasing 20 titles: The Anderson Tapes, Bell, Book and Candle, Born Free, Breakout,...
released the first season of Fame on DVD in Region 1 on November 1, 2005. This is now out of print as the home video rights are now owned by 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the home video distribution arm of the 20th Century Fox film studio. It was established in 1976 as Magnetic Video Corporation, and later as 20th Century Fox Video, CBS/Fox Video and FoxVideo, Inc....
.
20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the home video distribution arm of the 20th Century Fox film studio. It was established in 1976 as Magnetic Video Corporation, and later as 20th Century Fox Video, CBS/Fox Video and FoxVideo, Inc....
(under license from (MGM
MGM Home Entertainment
MGM Home Entertainment is the home video and DVD arm of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.-History:The home video division of MGM started in 1979 as MGM Home Video, releasing all the movies and TV shows by MGM. In 1980, MGM joined forces with CBS Video Enterprises, the home video division of the CBS television...
) released the complete first and second seasons of Fame on DVD in Region 1 and Region 2 on September 15, 2009. http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Fame-Seasons-1-and-2/12033
| DVD Name | Ep # | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| The Complete First Season (Out of Print) | 16 | November 1, 2005 |
| Seasons 1 & 2 | 38 | September 15, 2009 |
Bring Back...Fame
On 27 December 2008, Channel 4Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
TV in the UK screened a 90-minute special titled Bring Back...
Bring Back...
Bring Back... is a British television series comprising one-off shows where Justin Lee Collins tries to locate people from music, TV or film backgrounds to reunite them for a one-off performance or get-together...
Fame, which sought out and reunited some of the original cast members of the television series.
Presented by Justin Lee Collins
Justin Lee Collins
Justin Lee Collins, commonly known as JLC, is an award-winning English comedian and television presenter.A Bristolian, he's well known for his strong West Country accent, shaggy appearance and colourful shirts....
, and apparently filmed the previous summer, the show followed the presenter around the United States as he tracked down actors from the series and then staged a reunion. The programme showed Collins appearing to surprise the former cast members in locations including restaurants, a recording studio, a gym, LAX airport and a cinema, before interviewing them and persuading them to take part in the reunion.
The actors featured in the programme were Debbie Allen, Carol Mayo Jenkins, Lee Curreri, Erica Gimpel, Valerie Landsburg and Carlo Imperato.
Also interviewed were Irene Cara, who did not appear in the TV series but sang the theme song and played Coco in the original motion picture, and the mother of the late Gene Anthony Ray. It was not stated whether other actors from the series had also been approached but had declined to take part. Excerpts from the TV series were shown throughout the programme. The final scenes of the programme showed the six principal actors and a number of backing dancers taking part in a recreation of the title sequence of the TV programme.
The programme was made for and broadcast on Channel 4, despite Fame having originally been shown in the UK on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
.
See also
- The Kids from "Fame"The Kids from "Fame"The Kids from "Fame" was the group name of several cast members from the US TV series Fame who had a number of hit singles and albums at the height of the show's success in the UK. This success culminated in tours of the UK where they performed live in concert...
- an article on the recording group. - Un Paso Adelante (TV series)Un Paso Adelante (TV series)Un Paso Adelante was a Spanish TV drama similar to the American 1980’s TV series Fame. It was originally broadcast on Spanish channel Antena 3 from 2002 to 2005...
(SpanishSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
series based on "Fame") - Inside Fame on Television: A Behind the Scenes History Interviews with the principal creators of the series.
External links
- Unofficial Fame episode guide http://sites.google.com/site/fametvseriesepisodeguide/
- Unofficial Fame Fan Forum http://www.atfreeforum.com/kidsfromfamemed/
- Unofficial Fame & Cast Member Website Directory http://sites.google.com/site/famemoviesandtvseriesdirectory/