Welcome to The Kids From Fame Media Blog

I'm Mark & I've been a Fame fan since the beginning of the TV Series in 1982. This blog is dedicated to the incredibly talented cast of the show who have brought so much comfort and pleasure to my life over the last 40 odd years.

Every week day we post and our Archive can be found on the Kids from Fame Media TV Series Archive Website.
Including Interviews, Episode Information and Videos, Scripts, Merchandise, MP3 Downloads, Reunions, Fan Fiction, Cast and Crew Information.

I hope you have a great time Remembering "Fame"!

To Contact Me Please Send Emails to: mark1814uk@googlemail.com


Any problems downloading Please read:
Instructions To Download MP3s & Videos

Episodes can be watched on the TV Series Archive Website.
and on our Facebook Fame Episode Group.

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Wednesday 31 July 2019

A Thank You To Sue Hinds

 

Eagle eyed fans may have noticed that when Fame U.K. Reunion Mastermind and Producer Sue Hinds went up on stage at the end of the Monday concert, she was presented with a present by Valerie Landsburg. That present was a book detailing Sue's journey from pre teen fan to the leader of the Reunion. The cast and those of us involved in the journey wrote messages for Sue. Here's what mine said: 
   

It’s amazing how when we meet people we never know how they will impact our lives, sometimes without even knowing it...

After being friends on Facebook and in the “Fame” online community I first met Sue in person at the 2015 Reunion in Italy, well that is when I thought I first met her!

The Italian Reunion was an amazing experience which had a huge emotional impact on me. No matter how much I’d dreamed I’d never expected to attend another “Fame” show after the 1983 concert I’d been to, so this was like a miracle to me.

Having arrived on a Friday afternoon, Michael and I went out to explore the little town but at that time everything was closed and there wasn’t a single person to be seen. After a little while we met three women coming towards us and I instantly recognised two of them being Sue and Penny. (Sue’s friend Anne was the third). As they approached Sue stated “I recognise that face”.

We spent the next day and a half, as a small group of mainly British people sharing the wonderful experience of sitting in on rehearsals, attending the concert and the after show party. During the rehearsals Sue took the opportunity to go up on stage and experience being a Kid from Fame and sang and danced along to the finale of the theme song. I was happy to stay in my seat and watch.

 At the end of the events Sue mentioned how we’d had all these chances to get photos with the cast and autographs but had left it until the after show party where we were competing with all the other fans trying to do the same.  Still we hadn’t been thinking logically, just savouring every moment of this amazing journey.

As I travelled home tired and emotional from this wonderful experience of meeting the cast and the other fans I knew that this couldn’t be the end. I didn’t know how or when but I knew that we had to have a similar experience in the U.K. and I also knew that I had to be involved in it.  Although at the time that also seemed pretty impossible.

Flash forward two years and again I found myself in the small Italian town of Salsomaggiore Terme for another Fame Reunion. This time things felt bigger and a couple of events were quickly arranged for the fans to meet up and interact. On the spur of the moment and fuelled by the emotional connection, we felt, a few of us even danced in the streets.

I discovered Sue’s friendship with Valerie Landsburg, which I’d previously not been aware about. I recalled the time in 2001 when I’d met Valerie in London with a small group of fans at Starbucks in Leicester Square. I asked Sue if she’d been there and to my surprise I discovered that not only was she there but she had actually organised it all. Neither of us remembered the other from the event and we hadn’t really spoken. My excuse was that I was concentrating on Valerie as this was my first time meeting a Fame cast member. However it was a truly magical experience and I now realise that I have Sue to thank for creating an experience I would treasure forever. At that time I had no idea that the best was still to come and that Sue would be behind that too!

At the after show party I was already on a high but when Sue told me she was planning a U.K. Reunion the excitement levels went into overload and I let her know that I’d love to be involved. Returning home from this Reunion I was even more hopeful that something would finally happen in the U.K.

A few weeks later Sue and I spent pretty much a whole day messaging back and forth with ideas for a reunion and I realised that she was not only serious about the Reunion but had quietly been working away on this idea and planning it for quite some time. She already had the cast in agreement to be involved.

From there it’s been a yearlong nonstop emotional rollercoaster of a ride. At times totally exhilarating and at times totally draining but through it all Sue has remained strong and determined, taking each hurdle in her stride.

So here we are on the other side of the road. OMG words fail me now.... but tears are flowing...  

We owe a huge thanks to Sue who has Dared to Dream and made the Impossible become a reality. Not only making my dreams come true, again, but also the dreams of hundreds of U.K. Fame fans.

We are eternally grateful.

Thank you and keep on Daring to Dream,

Much Love,

Mark x

Fame Calendar August 2019



Fame Calendar August 2019

View on Website

Tuesday 30 July 2019

The Carvern Club

On Tuesday 8th May the Reunion was over and as a special thank you to the cast, the band, LMA and those that contributed to the Reunion, Sue Hinds organised a special meal followed by a trip to the Cavern.
 

With the hard work behind us everyone was able to let their hair down after a hectic couple of weeks.


In a private room Tom Urie, Kecco and Paolo from the band took to the stage.


The cast and some of the other guests took to the stage to jam.


It was an amazing to watch all these talented singers and musicians just get up and break out into songs with no planning and rehearsal. A Wonderful end to an adventure of a lifetime!


Tom Urie performs Help from My Friends with the Fame Cast. Thanks to Tom for the video.



Boogie Wonderland with thanks to Sue Hinds

Monday 29 July 2019

Fame U.K. Reunion Group Photos

 
The final official part of the Reunion were the fan photos with the whole Reunion cast.
 

A unique opportunity for people to get that wonderful lasting reminder of the reunion and being with all the cast together.


The photos took place after the concerts.


Mine took place after the Monday show and we could all end the Reunion on a wonderful high.


Fame Family Experience - Goodbye Meal


On Monday 6th May 2019 at 12.30pm Fans met for the final time at The Holiday Inn for the Goodbye 3 course meal.


I for one was shattered after a very busy few days but the fans energy seemed endless. Fuelled by the events of the previous day and the promise of another concert yet to come.


Time was tight as the Coffee/Tea and cake event had run over a little and we had the concert to get to across the city for. However, the meal was delicious and the company was great.

 

After eating our meal, which sadly a few people were unable to attend, including Loretta who was then scheduled for rehearsals our wonderful host Tom Urie drew the raffle which we'd been selling tickets for the day before.


The memorabilia Prizes included David Greenlee's original Fame baseball cap and the Debbie Allen cardboard cut out. Tom was very funny as drew the prizes.


One thing that struck me and really helped to raise my spirits as well as a few tears were the beautiful words of thank you that so many expressed.

 
 Many of us became pretty emotional as the event drew to a close.


So many had made great new friendships, that will last a lifetime. 


 So many were thankful for the opportunities to get up close and personal with the cast.

After lots of hugs, soon it was all over and people were on their way to the concert.

Thursday 25 July 2019

Tuesday 23 July 2019

Fame U.K. Reunion After Show Party


After the Concert on Sunday 5th May 2019 the VIP ticket holders made their way to he  James Street Hotel for the after Show party with the cast.


I'd been up at 5.00am that day and had only had a couple of hours sleep. After all  the excitement and stress of  The Events day followed by the concert I was actually ready for bed.


I went back to my flat to shower and change. Then made our way to the hotel still feeling tired.


The venue was buzzing as people were waiting excitedly for the cast to return.


When the cast arrived large groups of people swarmed round them for photos and autographs.


Tom Urie was working hard that day. After the full day hosting the Events day at the Convention he was then the DJ for the party too.


When he started playing a few "Fame" songs people got really excited and there was much singing and dancing. 

 
By 2.00am things started to wind down. The cast had already left as they still had a big day ahead of them on the Monday. We helped Tom pack up our stuff and finally got to bed after 3.00am.

Monday 22 July 2019

Finale Speeches - Fame U.K. Reunion Monday 6th May 2019


As the Final concert came to an end on Monday 6th May 2019 it was announced who had the highest bid for the Gold Album disc that Valerie Landsburg had donated to the Reunion.




Also Sue Hinds was called up on to the stage to be thanked. She was given a book that had been compiled of her journey from pre teen fan writing to Valerie to becoming producer and driving force behind the Reunion.

I'm not one for the limelight and chose not to go up on stage. It was all way too emotional for me.

 
 
With Thanks to Tom Urie for sharing the video.