Friday, December 11

Fame! I'm gonna watch it forever.

Being of the generation I am of, I have seen the Alan Parker movie Fame many times, watched the TV series as it originally aired (yes, all seasons), and saw the new feature film on opening day. The original movie is the best, hands down, but for me the TV show that ran all through the eighties has the most sentimental value. So when I was at the library a couple of weeks ago and saw that they had the complete first season on DVD, I grabbed it! I've been watching it and let me tell you. Like most TV shows from my childhood and adolescence, the memory of watching it doesn't quiiiiite match up with what I see when re-watching it.

For one, okay, the TV Coco can't sing. I mean it's not like listening to American Idol auditions or anything, and I like her acting, but she is no Irene Cara when it comes to the pipes. Also, TV Doris looks about nine years past high school, but maybe she's there so that TV Bruno (who is also Original Bruno) doesn't look old all by himself. But, it's all about Original/TV Leroy aka Gene Anthony Ray (may he rest in peace), always my favorite. And Debbie Allen is still fabulous, both dancing and acting. Child, you do not want Ms. Grant mad at you! Some of the musical numbers aren't half bad, like when the kids put on Othello despite the teacher strike, and even Danny dances.

All things considered, it's still awesome. Watching it again reminds me what I loved about it: The school and the sets and the clothes the students wear all look really real. They always seemed to me like normal kids (other than the fact that they were so old) in a grubby school like mine, hanging in the band room like I did, surrounded by water-stained soundproofing tiles, and of course wearing leg warmers. I loved Leroy and his relationships with Ms. Grant and Sherwood. I loved the music, even when it was bad, because I loved the idea of performing, and busting out into song at any moment to express the angst of growing up. In fact, in junior high I was known to jump up on the cafeteria table and start belting "Hard Knock Life" from Annie. That may be a post for another day.

I have tried to get into Glee. I have. But I'll take Fame any day of the week. I now have all the seasons in my Netflix queue, and can't wait for Janet Jackson and Nia Peeples to make their appearances in later seasons.

Jammin' in the lunch room!

7 comments:

Alyson Noel said...

Wow, what a slew of memories that just stirred up! I LOVED Fame--LOVED Leroy--and, back in my flight attendant days, once served Debbie Allen on the airplane--I was sooo excited to see her!

Sara Z. said...

You've got to check out the DVDs sometimes when you need a dose of nostalgia. I have such vivid memories of watching certain eps!

Brooke Reviews said...

Wow, so funny because I'm at this moment watching Fame Season 1 :D Love it!

Wendy Toliver said...

I remember singing the theme song of "Fame" in Elem. school choir! Think "Glee" style of a performance. Priceless!

Gerb said...

Oh, I loved Debbie Allen! (Still do.) I used to watch Fame on TV every week, too. Haven't seen the new movie and I'm not sure I will because I'm content with the memories.

Sara Hantz said...

I totally LOVED Fame, you've made me want to get the DVDs out. I did have the movie on video but we don't have a player any more.

Melissa Walker said...

I remember little of FAME, but I do definitely remember being enamored of LEROY! (RIP).