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Fame
"You've got big dreams? You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying in sweat."
Overview
An American television series originally produced between 1982 and 1987. The show is based on the 1980 motion picture of the same name. With a mixture of drama and music, it followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Although fictional, it was based heavily on the actual Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York. Most interior scenes were filmed in Hollywood, California, and in all seasons but the third, several exterior scenes were shot on location in New York City. The popularity of the series, particularly in the UK, led to several hit records and live concert tours by the cast. Despite its success, very few of the actors maintained high-profile careers after the series was cancelled. A number of the cast members were seen again briefly in Bring Back...Fame, a reunion special made for British television in 2008.
Status
Ended
Created By
Christopher Gore
Network
NBC, Syndication
Seasons & Episodes
Season 4
Episodes
Indian Summer
Doris and Danny console each other over sour flings; Love holds surprise for both Sherwood and Leroy; Holly sets her sights on an older man.
Czech Mate
Christopher falls hard for a visiting Czech student; Leroy tries to avoid a new admirer; Doris runs for student-body president.
Spontaneous Combustion
Staff and students fight back after Sherwood is accidentally injured by kids dancing in the hallway, and the board of education responds by issuing a directive placing a ban on all singing and dancing in non-designated areas.
I Never Danced For My Father
Leroy's long-lost father shows up at the School of the Arts, and receives a chilly reception from his son. Meanwhile, Danny deals with father issues of his own as he tries to convince his father that his aspirations to become a comedian aren’t futile.
The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll
Comprised of excerpts from the second U.S. concert by "The Kids from Fame" paying tribute to the history of Rock 'N' Roll.
Blizzard
A blizzard traps the staff and students in the school, provoking various problems, including a broken furnace and a prowler.
The Monster That Devoured Las Vegas
An opening-night hex threatens Cassidy's directorial debut when Morloch inadvertently breaks a show-business dictum.
The Return of Doctor Scorpio
Trevor Kane, a School of the Arts Alumnus and acting has-been, returns to the school to make an appearance in a play that Doris is directing in the hopes of revitalizing his career.
The Ballad of Ray Claxton
A TV news feature on the school brings Nicole to the attention of a prisoner, and her to his talent as a songwriter.
Nothing Personal
Christopher writes a less-than-rave review of Cleo's debut as a lead dancer; Nicole and Jesse look for romance in the personal ads.
The Rivalry
Lydia has a dancing showdown with Holly's mother, who thinks Lydia and Holly lack the drive to succeed in show business.
Dreams
After it comes to light that Jesse is an illegal alien, the staff and students at the School of the Arts band together and fight to keep him from being deported.
Tomorrow's Children
Sherwood fights student apathy when Morloch institutes an ROTC program at the school and cancels a show to benefit the nuclear-freeze movement.
The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll II
This episode contains excerpts from the second half of the concert.
Take My Wife... Please
Drama teacher Trevor Kane discovers his ex-wife is the object of Chris' affections; Holly and Nicole try to help Cleo catch Leroy's attention.
Parent's Week
Parents' Week causes problems for Nicole, who has a difficult time dealing with the pressure her parents are putting on her; Meanwhile, Danny's parents decide to get divorced.
Danny De Bergerac
Danny falls for Nicole while trying to smooth things between her and Jesse; Morloch gets a second chance with his college sweetheart.
Teamwork
Chris gets a break while performing with Danny then deserts his partner and finds competition from Leroy; Nicole and Holly room together.
Coco Returns
A famous, retired director directs Coco in her first performance since returning to the School of the Arts to get a diploma.
Wishes
Sherwood temporarily becomes vice-principal while Morloch attends a conference; Doris has a dream date; and Leroy, three months behind on his rent, shoots for $10,000 on a game show.
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
After being mugged, Doris puts on a brave front around her family or friends, but secretly struggles with nightmares and flashbacks; Dwight tries to control his emotions for Holly.
Reflections
Holly's despair over her parents' marriage causes her to become anorexic; Doris decides on a Hawaiian theme for the school's Prom.
Who Am I, Really?
Nicole's biological mother returns and tries to involve herself in her daughter's life; voiceless Morloch enlists Chris' aid to make a speech.
The Ol' Ball Game
Danny faces the problem of organizing his fellow students into a winning team after accepting a softball challenge issued by an old rival.
School is Out
As Summer vacation approaches, Jesse, Cleo and Nicole reminisce after Cleo reveals that she will not be returning to the School of the Arts in the fall.
Top Cast
Debbie Allen
Lydia Grant
Gene Anthony Ray
Leroy Johnson
Carlo Imperato
Danny Amatullo
Nia Peeples
Nicole Chapman
Jesse Borrego
Jesse Velasquez
Billy Hufsey
Christopher Donlon
Ann Nelson
Mrs. Berg
Carrie Hamilton
Reggie Higgins
Eric Pierpoint
Paul Seeger
Albert Hague
Benjamin Shorofsky
Michael Cerveris
Ian Ware
Loretta Chandler
Dusty Tyler
