Fame Top Ten Things I Love No 9!

At Number 9 on my count down of things I love about Fame is The Dancing and Gene Anthony Ray.

The dancing on Fame was a fundamental part of the show and that made the show unique as no other drama at the time had the dance and musical numbers. The dance numbers gave the show a feel good hi energy vibe and dancing almost became like a character of it’s own.

Debbie, Gene and the Fame dancers did an excellent job of keeping the dancing alive and creative and keeping the audience interested. It rarely felt like the dancing got in the way of the action and drama. For me only the “Deer Dance” in season 2’s “Words” seemed misplaced.

Gene was such a natural raw talent and so great to watch. He made dancing cool particularly for guys. If tough macho, street wise Leroy could be a dancer then it suddenly became acceptable for teenage boys to join dance and performing arts schools and clubs all around the World.

The dancers were a huge part of the Fame family and although for the most part they were in the background, some of them were given the opportunity to develop characters of their own. It was also a great creative opportunity for the dancers in real life and a number of them namely Marguerite Pomerhn and Michael Rooney became World famous choreographers.

To discuss click the link below to go to the forum:
http://www.atfreeforum.com/kidsfromfamemed/

Doris Schwartz Time And Again Part 2

Here's Part 2 of my new on going Fan Fiction Series titled "Doris Schwartz Time Again" where Doris finds herself back in 1982.

Part two is called "An Echo In Time"

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Doris Schwartz Time And Again Part 1

Today sees the start of my new on going Fan Fiction Series titled "Doris Schwartz Time Again"

Part One of the story is called "All My Past Behind"

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Fame Top Ten Things I Love!

Having listed my top ten pet hates on Fame, this week sees the start of a new count down and this time we're looking at the positive aspects of the show with my top ten things I love about Fame.

So at number 10 on my count down is Comedy.

I love any show that can take me on an emotional journey. Something that can make me laugh as well as make me cry and Fame can do that.

When I talking about the comedy on Fame, it's not so much the out and out ridiculous episodes they came up with in the later years like “Mr Wacky’s World” and the supposed comedy of people having pies thrown in their face. (Oh dear what were MGM thinking when thought Fame should be an actual comedy series?)

Instead it's the sharp scripted clever lines that often came so fast you could miss them, comedy that I love. Sometimes it’s only with repeated viewing that some of these hilarious lines come to light.

Actually when the show was trying hard to be funny for instance when Danny was telling jokes or doing a comedy routine I very rarely found that funny but when a character was being serious they would often through some very funny lines into the script and I love that.

We were lucky on Fame that we had a number of very talented and naturally funny actors and the humour would always come out in their performances.

Lee Curreri has talked about how Albert Hague loved his one liners and how funny he can be and whether it was actually the writers or Albert himself this quality is definitely in Shorofsky and he gets away why some great comments.

Valerie seems like a natural with comedy material too and again whether it stemmed from Valerie or the writers, Doris definitely got some great comedy lines too.

A particular favourite of mine is the banter between the older cast members. In the earlier years there were often some great scenes set in the teachers lounge as the teachers play off one another and often with multiple conversations going on. This for me was particularly good when Ken Swofford came on the show and the little arguments and comments Morloch and the other teachers would exchange were great and often accompanied by some great facial expressions too.

Ann Nelson as Mrs Berg was also wonderful and could always be relied upon to deliver some great comedy moments.

Fame wasn’t a comedy despite what MGM may have thought but it certainly knew how to write some really funny feel good character moments and in my opinion the show was all that much etter for them.

Billy Hufsey Dream Lover

"Dream Lover" is Performed by Billy Hufsey and comes from his live album.

Cynthia Gibb Footloose Italian Tv Performance

Cynthia Gibb Performs "Footloose" on Italian TV.

 

Out On their Own Fan Fiction Part 2 Act 2

Act 2 of part 2 of the "Out On Their Own" Fan fiction story "Doris Never Can Say Goodbye" is now available to read on the fan fiction site.

This is the final part of this first story.

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Carlo Imperato Renegade Hero Italian Tv Performance

Carlo Imperato performs Renegade Hero on Italian TV.

Download  MP3 

With thanks to Brian Mattocks for the footage.

Lee Curreri After They Were Famous

Interview and feature on Lee Curreri from After They were Famous!

 

Thanks To Brian Mattocks for provideing the footage.

Nia Peeples High Time Italian TV Performance

Nia Peeples performing her single "High Time" on Italian TV.

Out On their Own Part 2 Fan Fiction Act 1

The Second part of the my story "Out On their Own" is now available to read of the Fan fiction site, Titled "Doris Never Can Say Goodbye".

This was to be the final part but the story grew a little so now there is 3 parts and this part is Act One of part 2!

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Fame Trivia Light One Candle Uptempo Version DVD Deleted scene

"Light One Candle" appears in the season 2 episode "..Help From My Friends" twice. The more uptempo version the dancers perform to in the rehearsal room has been completely deleted from the season 2 DVD.

DVD scene:

Original Full version:

With thanks to Vincent for highlighting this.

Janet Jackson Blackglama Ad Campaign

Janet Jackson Blackglama Ad Campaign

Fame Trivia Light One Candle Edited DVD scene

More edits on the Season 2 DVD. This time the end performance of "Light One Candle" from the episode "..Help From My Friends" has been edited to remove all the words. Instead we just get the choir humming.

Interestingly the person who wrote the Lyrics, Allan Sherman also wrote the lyrics to "Did I Ever Really Live" which has also been deleted from the Season 2 DVD. Obviously Sherman or who ever owns the copyright to his work didn't allow permission for the lyrics top be used.

Personally I really like what they have done to keep the song but not use the words, although I'm glad I have the original too.

New Version:

Original Vesion:

Carrie Hamilton performing "Take Me or Leave Me" 1986.

Carrie Hamilton performing "Take Me or Leave Me" with Sylvia McCalla
from rent 1986.

Kherington Payne Interview

Kherington Payne Interview.

Fame Guest Star Tuesday Knight Where Are They Now

Vh1 Where are they now for Fame Guest Star Tuesday who was stuck in the pantry with Doris in "The Monster That Devoured Las Vegas"

Debbie Allen Introduces "Twist" at the Alliance Theatre

Debbie Allen Introduces her new production "Twist" at the Alliance Theatre.

Which runs from 1st September to 3rd October 2010.