Coco and Lydia Clear The Air After Both Auditioning For The Same Part - Scene of the Week

 

Coco and Lydia Clear The Air After Both Auditioning For The Same Part.

Fame News August 2026

 

In August Kids From Fame Media posts will be Celebrating:

Episode of the Month: "Alice Doesn't Work Here Anymore" from Season 6 

Song of the Month:  "A Special Place"

Dancer of the Month: Marguerite Pomerhn (Derricks)

Fame Timeline from August 1984

More Scenes of the Week, 

Newspaper Article of the Month, and

Publicity Material of the Month.

Our Interview clips are:

-   Carrie Hamilton Discussing Working With her Mother Carol Burnett on Fame.  

-   William Blinn Discussing Preparing for an Episode of Fame.   

-   Cynthia Gibb Discussing Ann Nelson, &

-   Marguerite Derricks Discussing Working on Fame.   

Cynthia Gibb talking about the challenges of making The Karen Carpenter Story. 

"Once More: The Karen Carpenter Story Reunion" is currently available to watch on Prime Video.

Jesse Borrego recent Interview with NEWS 4 San Antonio.

Fresberg Cartoon – Learning & History for Students, Tribute to Debbie Allen..

Erica Gimpel posted on Social Media last month:

"When we are willing to step out of our comfort zone and expand our lives in ways we’ve never done before, it requires us to look life head-on, step into our lioness nature, and say, “Let’s Go! I’m Ready!”

Excited to share more in the coming weeks."

Sad news. Ir was announced last month that Mike Preston who played Jack Ware in the season 6 episode "Pros and Cons" died on June 8th.

Another A.I. cover this time of "One Dream" from Season 5. 

Fame The Musical is currently at the The Theatre Royal in Plymouth, U.K. until 15th August.

Book Tickets 

Have a great Month,

Mark

Happy Birthday Erica Gimpel

 

Coco Gives Nicole Some Advice - Scene of the Week

 

Coco Gives Nicole Some Advice

Leroy & Coco are the Best Dancers in the School - Scene of the Week

 

Leroy & Coco are the Best Dancers in the School

Fame News May 2026

 

In May Kids From Fame Media posts will be Celebrating:

Episode of the Month: "Signs" from Season 3

Song of the Month:  We're All The Same

Dancer of the Month: Jasmine Guy 

Fame Timeline from May 1980

More Scenes of the Week, 

The Final Fame Annual Stories, 

Newspaper Article of the Month, and

Publicity Material of the Month.

Our Interview clips are:

-  Valerie Landsburg Discussing Directing Signs.

-  Jackie Roth (Signs Guest Star) Discussing Being Deaf.

-  Irene Cara Discussing Her Involvement with The Fame Movie Music, &

-  Jasmine Guy (Fame Dancer) Discussing Working on Fame.

Debbie Allen Broadway World Interview discussing directing August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone.

More Information and Tickets  

Cynthia Gibb talking more about her experience filming "The Karen Carpenter Story". 

The new documentary "Once More: The Karen Carpenter Story Reunion" is available on Amazon featuring Cynthia Gibb discussing the 1989 TV Movie.

Amazon U.S.

Amazon U.K.

Lee Curreri posted that Erica Gimpel turned up to an event he attended last month. 

There is a campaign to honour Gene Anthony Ray and get a Street in Harlem named after him. You can help by adding your name to the Petition.

More Information and to Sign the Petition 

2026 Marks and Harrison commercial featuring Eric Pierpoint.

Have a great Month,

Mark

Coco & Holly Argue over a Song and Michelle Needs To Be Liked - Scene of the Week

 

Coco & Holly Argue over a Song and Michelle Needs To Be Liked.

Coco and Doris share Their Feelings - Scene of the Week

 

Coco and Doris share Their Feelings 

Erica Gimpel Discusses Singing to Coco's Grandmother

 

Erica Gimpel Discusses Singing to Coco's Grandmother

Leroy is Left in Charge of Dance Class - Scene of the Week

 

Leroy is Left in Charge of Dance Class

Fame News February 2026

 

In February Kids From Fame Media posts will be Celebrating:

Episode of the Month: "Home Again" from Season 3

Song of the Month: City Nights

Dancer of the Month: Leanne Gerrish 

Fame Timeline from February 1986

More Scenes of the Week, 

More Fame Annual Stories, 

Newspaper Article of the Month, and

Publicity Material of the Month.

Our Interview clips are:

-  David Greenlee  Discussing "Home Again" & "I Can Sing A Rainbow"

-  Carlo Imperato Discussing Messing around At MGM Studios   

-  Gene Anthony Ray Discussing attending the Real school of the Arts, &

-  Lee Curreri Discussing Albert Hague.

A decision has been taken to no longer post our Social Media posts on X (formerly known as Twitter).  Our page is still there but all posts and followers deleted. There is just a message to highlight we are no longer posting on that Platform. 

You can continue to follow our Social Media posts on Facebook and Instagram.

Reportedly fans had a wonderful at the Carlo Imperato Events in Southport UK on January 2nd and 3rd. Carlo sang, the band sang, fans sang and danced. They had a celebratory meal and there was a Carlo Q&A.

(Photos and video from Fame U.K. Reunion Facebook Page.)

Signed Photos still available 

Opportunities to meet Jesse Borrego next month:

6th March  - Vito's Pizza 803 S. White Road, San Jose from 5.00pm.  

7th March  - Barrio Toys at 100 Atkinson Street, Roseville. 10.00am -12.00pm 

7th March - Legends Comic and Games 1752 Clovis Ave, Clovis 4.00pm to 6.00pm.  

7th March - Chuy's Baja Grill Bakersfield from 8.00pm

8th March - Valencia from 11.00am

8th March - Toys of the Universe, Torrance from 4.30pm   

Debbie Allen gives thanks for her birthday wishes last month.

Erica Gimpel posted last month:

"Congratulations to Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters on your incredible wins for Adolescence at the Golden Globes last night! YES!

 Last Monday, I went to hear Stephen give his career retrospective talk at the SAG Foundation in the Meryl Streep Theater. What struck me most was his immense integrity, deep commitment to the craft, dedication to community-building around projects, and the incredible collaboration he shares with his wife, Hannah. Their series Adolescence is profoundly moving—raw, powerful, and socially relevant. Together, they raise the bar for artistic excellence while also creating a strong and meaningful artistic community around the projects they create and produce.

We shared a lovely moment after the talk when I realized that Fame had inspired Hannah, and that my work back then had played a role in that inspiration. What’s so beautiful about the passage of time and the reciprocal nature of art is that now, they are inspiring me as I move into my next venture with my film.

Thank you both so much.

Onward!

Peace,
Erica ☮"️

Erica Also posted about fighting for justice and said:

"Showed up at my Congresswoman’s office this afternoon demanding regime change— Now!

I’m standing in solidarity with the people of Minnesota and the people across America who are fighting for justice and democracy!

I’m also acknowledging and honoring the lives that have been taken prematurely by this lawless regime.

We have so much work to do.

It’s time to Wake Up and Take Action."

Episode 11 of the Billy Hufsey Podcast is now available on YouTube To Watch.

So very sad to hear that our lovely Fame friend Elaine Prescott died last month. Rest in Peace Elaine, you will always be remembered. x

A number of years ago Elaine wrote this post for Kids From Fame Media:

"Fame" meant a lot to me almost from the start of the first series shown over here in the UK in 1982. It was a show that had a quality of its own and at the time, I couldn't quite work out how a series like that could have so many different, fabulous stories every week, that included music and dancing as well!
I also play the piano, so that was an added connection

My favourite members of the cast at the beginning were Lee and Valerie, although as the years went on, I began to see Erica in a whole different light and was amazed at her endless energy and her lovely singing voice.

On a really personal level, I think my favourite episodes were those that featured Lee a lot (!), but more seriously the two that Jimmy Osmond appeared in as Troy Phillips will always mean a lot to me. As I use a wheelchair myself, I was really pleased that the subject of disabilities of all kinds could be used in such a powerful way in a very popular show.

I had the opportunity to see the "Kids" live when they came to London at Easter 1983 and that was a very special evening to me, as I was seeing all these wonderful people, who made the characters so believable LIVE! Although Carlo came and sat quite near to where I was sitting, I wasn't able to get his autograph.

However, in 1999 when I became in Internet user, I found Pam's web-page and "Yahoo group" and at the time, thought I was the only person who was still really enthusiastic about the show! How wrong I was!!

Through Sue Hinds, who is a member of Pam's "Yahoo Group" I (and a few others) had the chance to meet Valerie when she came to London in April 2001. It was an amazing evening and as Sue picked me up in her car first, then went to get Val and her daughter, I was sitting there, just listening to them chatting and I kept thinking of the scene in "Winners" when Doris made herself ill when she wanted to be like Coco. It was a surreal experience, as I could remember Doris lying on the bed, when Miss Sherwood went to see how she was and offer some advice, yet at the same time thinking, "This fabulous actress is sitting right behind me now!!" My only regret of the meeting was that I was a bit too "starstruck" and hardly spoke to her all evening, but when she was standing behind me for photos, I remember clinging on to her hands for dear life!! It was a very memorable evening and I'll be forever grateful to Sue for giving me that chance to meet Val.
These are my thoughts of a fabulous TV programme that still means as much to me as it did when it was first on the BBC all those years ago, and it will always be special to me."

Lee Curreri Interview with L'Italo Americano from 2015. (With thanks to Ben for sending us the link).

Have a great month,

Mark

Fame Timeline - January 1983

 

1st January 1983

The Kids From Fame appeared Live on Saturday Superstore on BBC1 before catching their coach to take them to Birmingham to perform their final 2 concerts in the U.K. of the Christmas / New Year Tour at the National Exhibition Centre.

The series is first broadcast in Italy with "Metamorphosis".

Also an episode of "Insight" titled "Clearing House" guest starring Olivia Barash was broadcast in the U.S.

2nd January 1983

The Kids From Fame leave the U.K. flying back to Los Angeles from London Heathrow Airport on 2nd January 1983.

4th January 1983

With the Christmas Break and U.K. Tour over the cast returned MGM Studios in Culver City on 4th January 1893 (Lee Curreri's Birthday) to continue filming Season 2 with Episode 18 "Friendship Day". Filming of the episode would continue until 12th January 1983.

5th January 1983

Cynthia Gibb and Christopher Atkins attend the Party to Celebrate "Entertainment Tonight" Coming to WABC-TV at Tavern on the Green in New York City.

Tales of the Golden Monkey episode "Sultan of Swat" guest starring Nia Peeples as Zita  was broadcast  in America.

6th January 1983

Episode 13 of season 2 "Relationships", guest starring Greg Evigan was broadcast in America.

7th January 1983

The series is first broadcast in The Netherlands with "Metamorphosis".

8th January 1983

"Passing Grade" first broadcast in Italy.

10th January 1983

Janet Jackson's single "Come Give Your Love To Me" Released in America.

View Single Information

11th January 1983

Olivia Barash's Birthday

13th January 1983

Episode 14 of season 2 "Star Quality" was broadcast in America.

Episode 17 "Blood Sweat and Circuits" written by Lee Curreri was the next to be filmed with production taking place between 13th January and 21st January 1983. 

14th January 1983

"Passing Grade" first broadcast in The Netherlands.

15th January 1983

"Tomorrow's Farewell" first broadcast in Italy.

16th January 1983

Debbie Allen's Birthday

17th January 1983

Janet Jackson attends the 10th Annual American Music Awards at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. 

 

20th January 1983

Issue 4 of the Official Fame Magazine was published in U.K.     Read Issue

Episode 15 of season 2 "Sunshine Again" was broadcast in America. 

Also The series is first broadcast in Spain with "Metamorphosis".

21st January 1983

Debbie Allen and Morgan Stevens attending "Grand Opening of Santopietro's Restaurant" in Calabasas, California.

Also "Alone in the Crowd" first broadcast in The Netherlands.

22nd January 1983

"Alone in the Crowd" first broadcast in Italy.

Also "To Soar and Never Falter" first broadcast in The Netherlands. 

23rd January 1983

Carmine Caridi's Birthday

24th January 1983

Episode 19 "Not In Kansas Anymore" was filmed from 24th January to 1st February 1983 on the very sound stage where The Wizard of Oz was filmed at MGM. The original scarecrow Ray Bolger would pay a visit to the set during filming.  

27th January 1983

Episode 16 of season 2 "Love Is The Question", guest starring Jimmy Osmond was broadcast in America.

28th January 1983

Janet Jackson's single "Come Give Your Love To Me" Released in the U.K. View Single Information

Also "The Sell Out" first broadcast in The Netherlands.  

29th January 1983

The 40th Annual Golden Globe awards take place celebrating the Film and Television from 1982. Fame wins the award for Best Series Musical or Comedy. and Debbie Allen wins the award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Series. Debbie became the first black woman to win the award in this category.

Also "To Soar and Never Falter" first broadcast in Italy.  

Erica Gimpel Discusses "Childhood's End"

 

Erica Gimpel Discusses "Childhood's End"

Coco Clashes With Her Director - Scene of the Week

Coco Clashes With Her Director 

Daily Star Newspaper 30th December 1982 - Fame's Night Off

 

Fame News January 2026

 

Happy New Year!

In January Kids From Fame Media posts will be Celebrating:

Episode of the Month: "Reflections" from Season 4

Song of the Month: Tomorrow Morning

More Scenes of the Week, 

More Fame Annual Stories, Newspaper Article of the Month, Publicity Material of the Month.

A Fame Timeline from January 1983 and

Dancer of the Month:  Cameron English 

Our Interview clips are:

-  Cynthia Gibb Discussing "Reflections"

-  Valerie Landsburg Discussing Direction "Reflections"   

-  Carol Mayo Jenkins Discussing her Favourite Fame Scene, &

-  Erica Gimpel Discussing Childhood's End.

Wishing everyone attending events with Carlo Imperato in Southport tonight and tomorrow a wonderful time. Kids From Fame Media can't be there so please send us your pictures and videos to post.

Buy Tickets

Debbie Allen in depth interview in Conversation with Pat Harvey from last month.

Last Month on her Birthday Nia Peeples held a live stream and one of the guests she spoke to was Jesse Borrego. Thanks to Larry from Remember Fame on Instagram for posting the video.

Nia also posted a video of pictures taken at the ET Fame Reunion in 2022 saying: "Fame doesn’t last forever. But the love that exists in any given moment does.”

“LOVE Creates like itself and is forever one with what’s created.” ACOL

Upon this may we choose to rest our awareness, setting the course for the rest of our lives."

Erica Gimpel Posted a New Year's message:

"There is a saying:

“How you end the year is how you begin the next.”

Last night, I was inspired to dance and I realized what lives inside me is a joyous spirit.

As I approach this New Year of 2026,  I look forward to welcoming in more fun, freedom of expression, spontaneity and joy!

It felt like 2025 was filled with so many atrocities here in America and around the world. As I witnessed these different events my heart broke… I will continue to chant and take action to bring forth humanity, justice and peace in our world—basic human rights to which I am deeply committed.

However, this year I will not allow these atrocities to rob me of my inherent joy!  So I will do my best to maintain, nurture, support and protect my joy so I can share it with others, hopefully igniting more joy and light in our world. That will be my radical act this coming year: maintaining my joy.

I wish everyone on this planet we share, Peace, Love & Joy!

Happy 2026!

Peace,

Erica☮️"

Michael Cerveris will be performing a solo concert on 5th February 2026 at 54 Below Cabaret Club in New York.

Buy Tickets  & More Information

Olivia Barash posted last month an update on her health and housing situation:

"My apologies for not checking in sooner…

 Pippin and I have been staying in a hotel for nearly one month, now.

We were displaced by the recovery home team… who I trusted to look after me, while disabled from surviving a recent stroke.

I was easily manipulated into paying an inflated rate for my first month,, after moving in… [then we were rendered homeless by the very one who moved me into the home I believed was a blessing,,, not even two weeks later]. I’d also paid for another haphazard move, that left various valuables behind.

This entire fiasco has taken the spirit out of me. No plans of where we go from here.

I’m working toward getting medical clearance if I choose to go into another program.

Presently I do need a co-signer for me to secure a studio in this neighborhood.

Once I have a more permanent address… I can start working with in-home caregivers.

 One last Xmas Wish…

 Much Love,

 Olivia" 

Janet Jackson posted a New Year's message teasing exciting things to come in 2026!

Billy Hufsey posted a New Year Message:

"And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.Life opens up opportunities to you, and you either take them or you stay afraid of taking them. It is better to risk starving to death then surrender. If you give up on your dreams, what's left?To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him. If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. A loving heart is the truest wisdom. Don't wait to do what you want to do, do it know, time is running!!! Go get it!!"

Robert Romanus who played Miltie interviewed on the Da Bois Podcast, discusses a little bit about Fame.

Have a great month,

Mark

Erica Gimpel Discussing Her Perceptions of the U.K.

 

Erica Gimpel Discussing Her Perceptions of the U.K.

Erica Gimpel Discusses Coco

 

Erica Gimpel Discusses Coco

Coco Tell Reardon She Wants The Same Chance To Perform Professionally - Scene of the Week

 Coco Tell Reardon She Wants The Same Chance To Perform Professionally