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Fame - Season 1 [1980]
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RRP: £34.99
Our Price: £5.49 (subject to change)
Great for the kids
Review date: 2008-01-22 Rating: 10 out of 10
What with all the talent shows on the TV at the moment with quite talentless bores on I thought I would get this for the kids so they could see what a proper "song and dance" show was all about. They loved it - and I loved the nostalgia.
Recommended
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Reviews
Enjoyable nostalgia
Review date: 2007-12-07 Rating: 6 out of 10
Fame was a fun series and a phenomenon at the time, although now it does show its age a bit. The series itself is entertaining, but there are absolutely no extras, which is a great shame - surely they could have tracked down a few of the cast members for some retrospective interviews or something?
And one minor problem - why on earth did they make Leroy sing so much? He was a great dancer, but a horrible singer!
Loved this series - don't forget the bonus disc !
Review date: 2007-08-19 Rating: 8 out of 10
I loved this series (and still love it now). Surprised at how many websites (including Amazon) say this is a 4 disc set. Mine has 5 !! The fifth disc is a CD, "Ultimate Fame", with 19 tracks:
1. Fame
2. Out here on my own
3. Starmaker
4. Hi-Fidelity
5. Desdemona
6. I can do anything better than you can
7. I still believe in me
8. Life is a Celebration
9. It's Gonna be a Long Night
10. Be my music
11. Mannequin
12. Dancing Endlessly
13. Let's play a love scene
14. Dancin' on the sidewalk
15. Think of Meryl Streep
16. Bring on Tomorrow
17. Friday Night (Live)
18. Murphy Blues
19. False Alarm
I don't know if there are two versions of this box out there (one without this CD extra disc) but it is definitely worth seeking out.
Fame- Season 1
Review date: 2007-06-24 Rating: 10 out of 10
"Fame" the TV series based on the 1980 Alan Parker film was a smash hit in the 80s,particularly in the UK,its fans helping to bring it back from its axing after two series.
Viewers tuned in,each week to watch the "School of The Arts" drama and dance students of New York,deal with a show problem or a personal one,usually ending in a big production at the end of the episode.
Lee Curreri recreated his film role as Bruno Martelli,the musical genius playing away on his synthesiser while his cabby father tries to pay for all the expensive equipment.
After having only a tiny part in the "Fame" movie,Debbie Allen had a very large role as dance teacher Lydia,the feisty but caring dance teacher,Miss Allen also the dancing boss,behind the scenes too.
The late Albert Hague was great as Professor Shrofosky and his scenes with Bruno were some of the special ones in the show.
The real star of the TV series as in the film,was the late,great Gene Anthony Ray as Leroy Johnson,the street kid with a fantastic dancing ability,whose problems with his other school work,caused him to be at loggerheads with English teacher,Miss Sherwood,a very strong performance from Carol Mayo Jenkins.
Valerie Landsburg was very funny and endearing as the plump Doris,always fighting the weight problem but very funny too,one of the highlights of season 1 is Miss Landsberg belting out "High Fidelity" in a music shop,the song becoming a big hit in the UK,as indeed,did the whole "Kids From Fame" album,leading to several "Fame"tours in Europe but usually without Miss Landsberg.
Strangely Montgommery,gay in the movie,was suddenly straight in the TV series,actor P.R.Paul not really making much of an impression and he didn't return in the 2nd season.
Erica Gimpel took the very important role of Coco(played by Irene Cara in the movie)and although her singing isn't a patch on Irene Cara's,her acting held up and she caught Coco's hunger for fame ,to a tea,indeed Erica Gimpel is still performing away,to this day.
Lori Singer is "goody two shoes" Julie,the one we meet in the pilot,one of the best episodes is when Julie falls in love with a temp teacher,who turns out to be a rat and Julie sings "It's Gonna Be a Long Night",a lovely song but Lori Singer isn't the greatest of singers but it all works somehow.
Carlo Imperato is wisecracking Danny and he is a very likeable character and one episode,deals with his awkwardness with his father and Danny's drug problem,very well written and acted.
So get your leg warmers on and sit and enjoy this great show!
Better than I remembered
Review date: 2007-05-25 Rating: 10 out of 10
The last time I watched Fame, I was about 8 years old. I was a bit nervous 20 years on that it would be rubbish. But it is absolutely brilliant. The singing and dancing are of course really well done, but what I hadn't really remembered was the lovely storylines in each episode. They highlight some really interesting issues and deal with them in a non-patronising way.
What I need to know now is.... when is series 2 out?
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
P.R. Paul
Valerie Landsburg
Debbie Allen
Lee Curreri
Erica Gimpel
Recording label: MGM Entertainment
Manufacturer: MGM Entertainment
EAN: 5035822380110
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 4
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2006-08-14
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Theatrical release date: 1980
Language: English (Original Language)