Series description:

The Fame TV show was a musical drama series that aired on NBC for its first two seasons and in syndication for another four seasons. It was about the faculty and the students at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. It didn't matter whether they desired a career as a singer, dancer, comedian, or composer. All of the teens were at a time in their lives where they dreamt of fame in their chosen art! Their frustration through the realization that fame would not come easily was the main focus of the series. The energy that most of them put into their dreams was amazing! Fame appealed to both the young, full of ambition, and the old who could watch and remember a time when everything seemed possible!

Fame TV Show Cast:

Debbie Allen .............. Lydia Grant
Gene Anthony Ray .......... Leroy Johnson
Carlo Imperato ............ Danny Amatullo
Albert Hague .............. Mr. Benjamin Shorofsky
Ann Nelson ................ Mrs. Gertrude Berg
Carol Mayo Jenkins ........ Elizabeth Sherwood (1982-1986)
Billy Hufsey .............. Christopher Donlon (1983-1987)
Valerie Landsburg ......... Doris Rene Schwartz (1982-1985)
Bronwyn Thomas ............ Michelle (1982-1985)
Cynthia Gibb .............. Holly Laird (1983-1986)
Jesse Borrego ............. Jesse V. Valesquez (1984-1987)
Nia Peeples ............... Nicole Chapman (1984-1987)
Lee Curreri ............... Bruno Martelli (1982-1984)
Morgan Stevens ............ David Reardon (1982-1984)
Ken Swofford .............. Quentin Morloch (1983-1985)
Loretta Chandler .......... Dusty Tyler (1985-1987)
Graham Jarvis ............. Mr. Bob Dyrenforth (1985-1987)
Dick Miller ............... Mr. Lou Mackie (1985-1987)
Lori Singer ............... Julie Miller (1982-1983)
Erica Gimpel .............. Coco Hernandez (1982-1983)
Dave Shelley .............. Caruso (1983-1984)
Janet Jackson ............. Cleo Hewitt (1984-1985)
Page Hannah ............... Kate Riley (1985-1986)
Olivia Barash ............. Maxie (1986-1987)
Michael Cerveris .......... Ian Ware (1986-1987) 
Eric Pierpoint ............ Jack (1986-1987) 
Carrie Hamilton ........... Reggie Higgins (1986-1987) 
Elisa Heinsohn ............ Jillian Beckett (1986-1987) 
P.R. Paul ................. Montgomery MacNeil (1982)

Fame Broadcast History:

Seasons 1 and 2: Thursday evenings on NBC from 8:00 to 9:00 PM
Seasons 3-6: Various nights and times with original episodes in syndication

Fame TV Show Trivia:

Several of the Fame TV show cast members had also appeared in the Fame movie that inspired the series. Among them were Debbie Allen, Gene Anthony Ray, Albert Hague, and Lee Curreri.

The movie was actually filmed in New York City but the TV show was mostly shot in Los Angeles, California.

Many of the actors on the Fame TV show and the songs they sang became so popular that several of the cast members were able to book concerts in Britain. Those concert appearances were filmed and made into a TV special that aired in the U.S. in 1983! It was titled, "The Kids From Fame".

NBC cancelled Fame after the second season because ratings were bad. It was up against stiff competition with "Magnum P.I." in its time slot on CBS. The critics loved Fame. It won 5 Emmys and several other awards while on CBS, and the producers knew it had potential so they continued filming new episodes for syndication and the series went on to air for 4 more years!

Many people believe that Irene Cara sang the theme song for the Fame TV show, but that is not true. Irene played the part of Coco Hernandez in the theatrical movie and also sang the title tune. It also became a big hit for her on the pop charts! On the TV show, however, Erica Gimpel played the role of Coco and she sang the theme song. If you've never seen the Fame TV show, you might remember Erica from her role as Angel Brown on "Profiler" or as Semiramis on the miniseries, "North and South".

Fame TV Show Opening Narrative:

(Debbie Allen's voice as Lydia Grant)

"You got big dreams? You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying ... in sweat."

Theme Song Lyrics:

Title: "Fame"

Written By: Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford

Performed By: "Erica Gimpel"

Fame!
I'm gonna live forever.
I'm gonna learn how to fly, High!
I feel it coming together,
People will see me and cry

Fame!
I'm going to make it to heaven,
Light up the sky like a flame, Fame!
I'm gonna live forever,
Baby remember my name,
Remember, Remember, Remember, Remember, Remember, Remember.

Fame!
I'm gonna live forever,
Baby remember my name,
Remember, Remember, Remember, Remember, Remember, Remember.

Episodes List With Original Air Dates

Theatrical Movie that Inspired the Series:

Fame (5/16/1980)

The First Season

Metamorphosis (1/7/1982) - Recently having moved from the midwest, Julie attempts to fit with the students from the big city. Songs: "Take Me" and "Fame" sung by Erica Gimpel
Passing Grade (1/14/1982) - Coco performs for Lydia's former boyfriend to audition for a part. Lydia also auditions. Danny takes a job as a waiter in order to meet his hero, Johnny Carson. Songs: "The Show Must Go On" (Erica Gimpel) and "I Still Believe In Me" (Debbie Allen and Erica Gimpel)
Tomorrow's Farewell (1/21/1982) - The students are interviewed about their lives at the prestigious school. Lydia proves that her dancers don't need to take phys ed by challenging the football team to compete in a dance workout. Leroy is caught with his lowlife brother's gun. He has to choose whether to take the blame or "rat on" his brother. Song: "I Can Do Anything Better Than You Can" by the entire main cast!
Alone in a Crowd (1/28/1982)
To Soar and Never Falter (2/4/1982)
The Sell Out (2/11/1982)
The Strike (2/18/1982)
Street Kid (2/25/1982)
But Seriously, Folks (3/4/1982)
Come One, Come All (3/11/1982)
The Crazies (3/18/1982)
Expose (3/25/1982)
A Musical Bridge (4/1/1982)
A Big Finish (4/15/1982)
Reunions (4/29/1982)
A Special Place (5/6/1982)

The Second Season

And the Winner Is... (9/30/1982)
Your Own Song (10/7/1982)
Feelings (10/14/1982)
Class Act (10/21/1982)
Teachers (10/28/1982)
Beginnings (11/4/1982)
Solo Song (11/11/1982)
Winners (11/18/1982)
Words (11/25/1982)
Blood, Sweat and Circuits (12/2/1982)
Homecoming (12/9/1982)
A Tough Act to Follow (12/16/1982)
Relationships (1/6/1983)
Star Quality (1/13/1983)
Sunshine Again (1/20/1983)
Love is the Question (1/27/1983)
Childhood's End (2/10/1983)
Friendship Day (2/17/1983)
Not in Kansas Anymore (2/24/1983)
The Kids From Fame Live (3/3/1983)
...Help From My Friends (3/10/1983)
Ending on a High Note (3/31/1983)
U.N. Week (4/7/1983)

The Third Season

Gonna Learn How to Fly - Part 1 (10/15/1983)
Gonna Learn How to Fly - Part 2 (10/22/1983)
Hail to the Chief (10/29/1983)
The Kids From Fame in Israel (11/5/1983)
Knockout (11/12/1983)
Rules (11/19/1983)
Consequences (11/26/1983)
Break Dance (12/10/1983)
Secrets (1/7/1984)
Fame> Looks at Music '83 (1/28/1984)
Appearances (2/4/1984)
Bottle of Blues (2/11/1984)
Lisa's Song (2/18/1984)
A Way of Winning (2/26/1984)
Stages (3/4/1984)
Sheer Will (3/18/1984)
Catch a Falling Star (3/25/1984)
A Friend in Need (4/1/1984)
The Deal (4/29/1984)
Home Again (5/6/1984)
Signs (5/13/1984)
Heritage (5/20/1984)
The Homefront (5/27/1984)
Equals (6/10/1984)

The Fourth Season

Indian Summer (9/29/1984)
Czech Mate (10/6/1984)
Spontaneous Combustion (10/13/1984)
I Never Danced For My Father (10/20/1984)
The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll (10/27/1984)
Blizzard (11/3/1984)
The Monster That Devoured Las Vegas (11/10/1984)
The Return of Doctor Scorpio (11/17/1984)
The Ballad of Ray Claxton (11/24/1984)
Nothing Personal (12/1/1984)
The Rivalry (12/15/1984)
Dreams (1/5/1985)
Tomorrow's Children (1/12/1985)
The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll II (1/26/1985)
Take My Wife, Please (2/2/1985)
Parent's Week (2/9/1985)
Danny De Bergerac (2/16/1985)
Teamwork (2/23/1985)
Coco Returns (3/2/1985)
Wishes (3/30/1985)
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? (4/6/1985)
Reflections (5/4/1985)
Who Am I, Really? (5/11/1985)
The Ol' Ball Game (5/18/1985)
School is Out (5/25/1985)

The Fifth Season

A Place to Belong (10/12/1985)
Leroy and the Kid (10/19/1985)
Bronco Bob Rides Again (10/26/1985)
Selling Out (11/2/1985)
White Light (11/9/1985)
Savage Streets (11/16/1985)
His Majesty Donlon (11/23/1985)
Broadway Danny Amatullo (11/30/1985)
Ebenezer Morloch (12/13/1985)
Choices (1/4/1986)
The First Time (1/11/1986)
A River to Cross (2/1/1986)
Such Good Friends (2/8/1986)
Holmes Sweet Holmes (2/15/1986)
Double Exposure (2/22/1986)
The Inheritance (3/1/1986)
The Comedian (3/22/1986)
Stage Fright (3/29/1986)
Self-Defense (4/5/1986)
W.S.O.A. (4/26/1986)
Contacts (5/3/1986)
To Tilt At Windmills (5/10/1986)
Losin' It (5/17/1986)
The Incident (5/24/1986)

The Sixth Season

Back to Something New (10/6/1986)
The Last Dance (10/13/1986)
New Faces (10/20/1986)
Judgement Day (10/27/1986)
All Talking, All Singing, All Dancing (11/3/1986)
Hold That Baby (11/10/1986)
A Different Drummer (11/17/1986)
Mr. Wacky's World (11/24/1986)
All I Want for Christmas (12/8/1986)
Fame and Fortune (12/29/1986)
Go Softly Into Morning (1/5/1987)
Love Kittens Go to High School (1/26/1987)
The Crimson Blade (2/2/1987)
The Big Contract (2/9/1987)
Pros and Cons (2/16/1987)
Stradi-various (2/23/1987)
That Was the Weekend That Was (3/16/1987)
Ian's Girl (3/23/1987)
The Lounge Singer Who Knew Too Much (4/20/1987)
Reggie and Rose (4/27/1987)
Of Cabbages and Kings (5/4/1987)
Alice Doesn't Work Here Anymore (5/11/1987)
Baby, Remember My Name (5/18/1987)