Commercial Break: 2003's Fame
- Jordan
- Sep 13, 2024
- 21 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Hey y'all! I've been working hard at bringing you the next installment of "Top Chef and I" starring Andrea Beaman as well as working on the podcast episode for Lisa Parks' "Top Chef and I." As fun as they are worth doing, a lot of work is involved in creating them. I know the final products end up not being long, but trust me, they are looked at and revised down to each individual word. That's just the way I roll, but believe me does it feel good when they are ready to be published.
Now onto what you're here for: something else! When I created this blog, I wanted to give myself the opportunity to talk about what I wanted to talk about instead of pigeonholing myself to one specific thing. It's why I named this blog "How I Pop Culture!" So as I churn out the next things lined-up for "Top Chef and I," I figured I wanted to create a new series for you guys to look at in times like these where I'm still working on forefront products. And with that, I present to you "Commercial Break!"
"Commercial Break" is an entry on a pop culture topic I feel like talking about that I can wrap up in one singular post or a few posts if need be. These topics can stem from any pop culture entity. An old sitcom in the 60's. An experience I've had with a piece of pop culture. A product that's all the rage. With this first entry (or first "commercial break" more so), I will be honing in on 2003's Fame.
Setting Up the Stage
Now, you may be thinking. 2003? Oh, yes. You heard that right. The classic 80's movie about a performing arts academy has had many extended adaptations including a musical and a 2009 remake (which I do remember being a thing back then that was supposedly hot but ended up not being that). Another thing that sprung up in Fame's catalog was a reality show done in 2003 that aired on NBC looking for the next superstar.
Unlike the 2009 remake, I was unaware of this existing until a few years ago. I can't recall when exactly. It might've been right after COVID-19 (2021-ish). My mind is such a memory fighter that it's not even funny, but that's beside the point.
I don't remember how I ended up finding out about it, but I did eventually land on its Wikipedia page. Being the natural curious person since birth, I went ahead and tried to look for video on it. At the time, I could only find a few performances, and I could see why it tanked like it said it did on the Wikipedia page.
In recent months, my mind floated back into thinking about the show, and I tried looking again for more clips. By the grace of God, I saw that someone had uploaded full ass episodes of the show on the Wayback Machine since my initial search. I was thrilled.
Though it only had the first five episodes (with the first one missing the second half of the show), it felt super satisfying to watch. I always like to have more thorough opinions on things, and the only way I could do that is if I see as much content as there is available. And this is where the bulk of this Commercial Break comes in.
I like to find concrete ways to talk about things and to talk stuff in-depth. All the episodes are not available to watch at the time of this post. However, the episodes that are there are of the auditions and most of the semi-finals. That, combing with information I found on the other shows and those other clips from the previous searching I'd done, have led me to be able to concretely talk about the show's contestants without being inconsiderate because of external factors beyond my control.
Hosted by *NSYNC's Joey Fatone and based off the Italian show Amici, Fame was trying to find the next superstar who could sing, dance, and have star presence. Auditions were held in multiple cities (where the likes of Courtney Reed among others applied), and after multiple cuts, the pool was narrowed down to 24 semi-finalists (where the likes of Courtney Reed were not present) who were split into four groups and did both a solo performance and a group dance number. They were judged by music manager Johnny Wright, Wilson Phillips' Carnie Wilson, and DJ JoJo Wright.
Host Joey Fatone and the judges (Johnny Wright, Carnie Wilson, JoJo Wright)
After the semi-finals, 12 remained. From then on, they'd continue performing with their eligibility to stay based on public voting that could be influenced by the judges akin to American Idol. During that time, a "spoiler" was added. The "spoiler" was an added contestant who could be in the final episode if they were deemed good enough by the public.
The final episode involved 4 contestants, and from there, a winner was crowned. Debbie Allen, who starred in the original film and has been a part of the Fame franchise in general, played a part during the entire process as an audition judge, a mentor, and just an overall presence (often co-commentating with Joey).
Alright, enough setting up! Let's get to the contestants!
Contestants
Gerry Adams
Gerry Adams auditioned in New York and was mainly shown dancing over anything else (and talking about how he was all dirty and hungry and tired and shit). During the semi's group number at the end of the first episode, he does an impressive handstand while using the microphone to introduce himself.
Being placed in the first group, he sings Michael Jackson's "Rock With You," and the judges digged him. After performing in his group's dance number, he moves on to the next round and performs Luther Vandross' "Never Too Much" to not as stellar critiques and ends up getting eliminated in the following episode (though he does return with a shaved head when he and the other eliminated finalists appear later on to support those remaining in the competition).
Alexis Adler
Coming from the Miami auditions (where she oddly looked like she wasn't at the final deliberations based on the footage. I couldn't really spot her in the group, and her name/number wasn't mentioned, but I could just be super delirious), 16-year-old Alexis Adler broke up with her then boyfriend not too long before she did her highly risqué performance of "Big Spender" from Sweet Charity in group 3 (done in black panty shorts and containing a move where she turns around and pops her head in between her legs because the 16-year-old in the new millennium was completely comfortable of doing that sort of stuff to an audience of not 16-year-olds. The cameras opted to air her from the back toward the audience, but I mean...)
After the group's dance number, she ends up not being picked to move on to the finals. She states in her exit interview that she thought she did good but knows that God has a plan for her otherwise. Presumably, it didn't require her to bend over like she did in her performance. Fingers crossed. I will say though that something good that came out of doing that performance in my opinion was that it gave her ex-boyfriend a lesson. "Look at what you missed out on, boy"-type energy.
Danny Alvarez
Another Miami auditionee, Danny Alvarez was most noticeably seen during his trial of trying to make it dancing with Debbie because of the location they were in.
Placed within the first group of semis, he performed "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder to decent reviews, but he ends up not getting picked for the finals once he concludes both his solo spot and his performance in the group dance number.
Allyson Arena
A flexible redhead auditioning in New York with her equally, if not more red-headed, twin sister Jennifer, Allyson ends up as the one making it through to the semi-finals and is placed in group 3. She reveals that she went to the school the original Fame was shot at and talks about her overcoming negative comments about her performance abilities when she was younger. Singing "Cabaret" from the musical of the same name, she gets noted for being a triple threat but also as someone more on the Broadway spectrum than anything else.
After the group's dance number, she passes on to the finals and makes it through a couple more episodes before being cut right before the final episode. She tended to high-kick a lot on the show (like, a lot). She even did a darn high-kick off during a group number (and somehow hilariously ended up losing).
So many times on the right (our left) as well
Shannon Bex
Shannon Bex, who would go on to be part of the popular girl group Danity Kane a few years later (through the TV show Making the Band which Johnny also happened to be on) and pivot toward the successful children's book streaming service Vooks post-music, started her Fame journey at the Los Angeles auditions. Once she passed, she ends up in group 1 of the semis and is the first person overall to showcase her skills to the public. Singing "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer, she gets rave reviews from the judges and ends up being selected to the finals after doing that performance and her group dance performance.
She sings a plethora of songs during the rest of her duration on the show including Aretha Franklin's "Respect," LeeAnn Rimes' "Can't Fight the Moonlight," and Christina Aguilera's "Fighter" (all while trying to juggle her engagement and slut shaming internet commenters at the same time). She ends up making it to the final episode, but loses the show at second place. Fun Fact: Her Danity Kane groupmate, Aundrea Fimbres, was in the audience for one of the tapings. (She was presented as one of Brandon O'Neal's friends.) Presuming she was there for that entire taping, it sure makes it a small world.
Alex Boyd
The so-called heartthrob of the lot, Alex Boyd started his journey at the New York audition before landing in the first group for the semis and performing "Just Friends (Sunny)" by Musiq Soulchild. Smoothly making it through the finals after both that performance and the group dance number, he does a few more performances in later episodes before being cut two episodes away from the final episode (much to the shock of many).
On a sad note, since the time between Fame and the date of this blog post, Alex passed away in 2014 from a motorcycle accident. At the time, he was in the limbo-esque process of trying to release a debut album, so it is sad to know that it did not come to fruition with him present to live through it.
Ryan Chotto
A pint-sized guy, Ryan Chotto was 18-years-old when he did the show. He auditioned in New York and was put in the second group for the semis where he performed "Dancing in the Street" by Martha and the Vandellas. He certainly was a cute little fella who was vulnerable to feeling signs of insecurity. (Translation: He cried.)
Ultimately, he didn't make the finals after he did both his solo act and group dance number. He did, however, have his legs spread so damn wide so many times.
If the price of Fame means spreading your legs like that, then I don't wanna be a part of it
Tyce Diorio
Yes. THAT Tyce Diorio. He was put in as the show's "spoiler" contestant where his dancing was seen as very good but his singing seen as not good. Though he had the chance to blast through the final episode, the public did not give him enough support, and he was sent packing.
Ya'know, when I first read the name from the article back in 2021-ish, I had thought this person was some big, toned black guy that was really coordinated and flexible for whatever reason (bald Gerry Adams-esque). Without much to go off in terms of video at the time, I just presumed this person was never heard from again. It wasn't until I went back at the page later on in life that the name registered in my head, and I went "WTF." Pretty crazy realization, I must say.
Sean Dolan
Unlike most of the contestants from Fame, Sean Dolan was not featured during the auditions and was instead formally introduced to the public during the first episode's group number when everyone chanted their names. An interview he did later on gave some insight on his audition (revealing that he was at the Los Angeles auditions and was really there as a tag along for a female friend not thinking he'd actually make it).
Sean at the Los Angeles auditions
Placed in the final group of semis, Sean goes out on a limb and sings Justin Timberlake's "Señorita." Johnny relays a comment from one of the girls in the audience over what'll happen if she unzips his tan leather pants, but the performance overall is seen as alright with a particular focus on some of the notes being shaky. After the group dance number, Sean ends up not being selected to move onto the finals but is completely content with the decision. Many moons later, he would state how that experience was a turning point in him wanting to be on the business side of things after he saw production calling all the shots (leading him to be involved as CEO of an advertising company and also going internet viral from a comedic act he did where he exposed a superintendent.) I will say, among his tight spins and kicks he'd pull out, he was fairly good during partnering sections (lifting people up with ease).
Christine Evangelista
If you're a fan of The Walking Dead franchise, you might recognize Christine Evangelista as Sherry (the wife of Austin Amelio's character Dwight). Outside of that, you might recognize her in the lead role of The Arrangement opposite Josh Henderson (who also happened to be rooted in reality TV). Outside of that, you might recognize her as Linda Evangelista's first cousin.
But back to the inside of Fame where she was a 16-year-old girl who could ninja kick like nobody's business. She auditioned in New York and was placed in the third group during semis. For song selection, she went with "All That Jazz" from Chicago (dialogue interlude included), and unlike Alexis Adler, Christine was given a more appropriate outfit for her age. Thank goodness.
She performed to the best of her abilities but was criticized harder from JoJo than the other judges (comparing her performance, in baseball terms, as a single than a home run). Christine fought back and said she'd listen to his critiques once he cut his fairly grown out hair. After her dance group number, she wasn't picked for the finals and gets all teenage upset over it. Much like Sean, the experience played a pivotal role in her eventual career, so there is some upside to it. If her and JoJo ever come at it again though, she might wanna watch out because JoJo's K-Pop experience means fans which means stans which means another apocalypse for her to go through.
Todd Evans
Auditioning from the New York tryouts, Todd Evans states how he's tried to achieve fame for quite some time and opens up about how the Mickey Mouse Club was his starting point in learning how to sing and dance. Within the second group, he sings Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed," and the judges collectively find his performance skills to mismatch his singing abilities. Essentially, he was "overjoyed" in doing his performance (if you get where I'm getting at).
During the group dance number, he busts out a stretched organ-playing movement when he gets the chance to do a solo that came across fairly Rocky Horror-esque. His overall efforts during the night are not fulfilled competition-wise though as he does not move on, but he does find positivity in the ordeal in his exit interview when he considered working with Debbie as an amazing experience.
Given his occupation being "party motivator" and him doing cruise party ordeals later on in life, I can clearly see where the judges are coming. His performances (especially the group dance number) came off rather hokey (making it difficult to get a sense of sincerity despite hitting the parts on time). Even his outfit had a campy look to it. I will say though that, in contrast, he had a more recording artist appeal to me in the large group number involving all the semi-finalists (particularly the first time they did it as they did it multiple times).
Serena Henry
Serena had done little gigs on stuff like Reading Rainbow, but that doesn't matter for this contest. Now, winning multiple times on Apollo and touring with Gladys Knight. That's worth noting. (That...and confronting an intimated Ryan Chotto.)
Trying out in Los Angeles and being placed in the second group of the semis, she sings "I'm Every Woman" by Chaka Khan to rave reviews. She shows off some clean, crisp moves during the dance group number after and ends up advancing to the finals. As the season progressed, she continues to pass rounds and ends up going to the final episode before losing just shy of winning in 4th place.
Judy Ho
Before Dr. Drewing through life or banking so hard on The Price Is Right, the then 23-year-old Judy Ho (sans doctor) tried out for the NBC reality show for a chance to be that girl. With her occupation listed as "medical research assistant," she went to the Los Angeles auditions and made it to semis as one of the 24 chosen. She was then placed in the first group and sung "Got To Be Real" by Cheryl Lynn. An overall consensus of nerves were what was felt about her performance. Carnie ends up sinking down to the table when she and Debbie dispute. Following the group dance number, she ends up not being selected to the finals.
From whatever remnants I've seen of the public's discussion on the show, people had pretty solid hopes on her. I don't know if her being spotlighted singing at one point during the otherwise ravenous auditions is what led to this, but I wouldn't be shocked. On the show, she notes that her dancing skills were something she'd needed to work on, and yet, people didn't seem to notice issues with her dance abilities. I guess it wasn't meant to be. One because of the path she's gone to since then. The other because the show got straight axed after one season. (More on that later.)
Justin Jacoby
I mentioned that Fame was looking for the next superstar who could sing, but they extended it to rappers as well. Justin Jacoby (Micky Munday aka one of the 17 trillion people seen on the Love & Hip Hop franchise) ended up being the only rapper to make it to the semis (trying out in Los Angeles and being placed in the third group). He does an original rap titled "Just a Dream" (which for whatever reason had a chorus structure that sounded similar to Angie Martinez's "If I Could Go" to me) to nice results and manages to make it through his group's dance number despite having to constantly hoist his pants up with what felt like every 16-count. Passing through the finals, he makes it through a few more episodes before being cut.
A young Micky Munday back when he went by his real name on Fame
Harlemm Lee
The winner of the show, science-glasses wearer Harlemm Lee auditioned in Los Angeles and was placed in the last group for the semis. Singing Janet Jackson's "Control," the judges dug it, and after going through all the motions with the competition in general, he ends up winning it over Shannon Bex. He gets a recording contract, training at a performing arts academy, a cash prize, hotel stay, and signage at a talent agency. A role on Broadway was even slammed in the mix.
He's also 35-years-old. Not that it matters cause there wasn't an age limit...except it was stated that he was 27-years-old when he got on the show. The cover-up, stemming from fear of ageism, is a can of worms in itself, and this is without considering him previously being a signed recording artist in the 80's under the moniker "Gerry Woo." How the fuck people managed to find that out given the career's obscurity (in the 2000's nonetheless) is beyond me.
Raymond Lee
Unrelated to Harlemm but with equally nerdy science glasses as him, Raymond Lee auditioned in Chicago and was placed in the third group for the semis. He admits that his family didn't know he auditioned for the show (thinking that he instead went out for an interview for an internship).
Wanting to break out of the stereotypes of Asians being more than academics, he impresses the crowd with his performance of The Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" and passes through to the finals after completing the group dance number. After performing a few more times, he gets cut a couple of episodes short from the final episode.
Lauren Hildebrandt
Auditioning in Los Angeles, Lauren performed in the last group of semis to "Hit Me With a Hot Note and Watch Me Bounce" from the musical Sophisticated Ladies. Carnie spotted some nerves, but the judges as a whole thought it was strong. She moves to the finals following the group dance number to perform "Last Dance" by Donna Summer, and while the judges didn't think it was bad, they didn't think it was a stand-out performance. With the odds stacked against, they end up toppling at her as she gets eliminated the following show.
Michelle Livigne
Someone who also appeared on Making the Band after Fame (though not on the same time as Shannon), Michelle Livigne auditioned in Miami and was placed in the second group for semis. The judges found her performance of "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles to be too mature for her, and though she showed off more variety in the dance group number, she ultimately did not make the cut for the finals. During her rehearsal package, she talks about her academics, and I care to mention it here because they ended up being a main focal issue for her on Making the Band where she had to decide if she should drop out of that show or continue forth when juggling the two was deemed too much for her. (She ended up doing the former.)
Moy
Auditioning in Miami and being placed in the last group for semis, Moy performs to Beyoncé's "Work It Out" and is given great response. After her dance group number, Moy makes it through to the finals and does a variety of songs after including "Black Cat" by Janet Jackson, "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green, and an atrocious (and I do mean atrocious) performance of Toni Braxton's "Un-Break My Heart." Right before the final episode, she gets eliminated.
There was something familiar about her that I could put my finger on when I kept looking at the opening group number years back. I was convinced she was this person I saw on this show called Popstars, donning a similar look and residence, but I also felt that I could be jumping the gun and be looking at two different people who just happen to have similar aspirations and appearances. Turns out, I was right all along. "Moy" is a stage name for Petagay Rowe: the same one that I'd seen on Popstars. No wonder why many of her performances on Fame had dance breaks (with fire musical production from the band by the way). When she was on Popstars, she would be one of the more livelier dancers during the rounds.
Brandon O'Neal
Much like Sean Dolan, Brandon O'Neal wasn't formally highlighted during the auditions (though the filler footage suggests he auditioned in Los Angeles). It wasn't until the semi's group number where his name was revealed (right after he skips counts to do a high split in the air that made his chant sound unfinished).
Performing "I Wish" by Stevie Wonder in the second group with a dance break that felt equally as long as the singing itself, the judges found star potential in him and gave credit at his skills for his age. Following the dance number from the group, he passes to the finals to do more performances (including beating Allyson in a high-kick off during a group number) before being cut on the final episode at 3rd place.
Jamisen Tiangco
In the second group of the semis and auditioning in Miami, Jamisen Tiangco reveals how a producer once told her that she would never work in the industry again after things fell through with their work partnership before adoringly waving back at the camera. Performing Toni Braxton's "You're Makin' Me High" made JoJo admit her love for her in marriage (though he also said he wanted to kiss Raymond in the following episode).
Despite falling at the end of the following group dance number, Jamisen advances to the finals and performs some more before being cut a few episodes shy of the final episode.
Back when very limited footage of the show was available for me to watch, I had initially gotten a rock vibe from her with a rebellious attitude. After seeing more footage of her, she was actually pretty endearing as a person. I liked when she giggled at herself for wearing pink in an interview just as she was talking about how she quit ballet because they were forced to wear pink.
Mackenzie Thomas
Pre-Cirque du Soleil or even Grease: You're the One That I Want!, Chicago auditionee Mackenzie Thomas went for "Don't Rain on My Parade" from Funny Girl for the semis after being put in the first group. Though she excels at the singing, there were concerns over her dancing abilities, at the very least, being as in-line with her singing. (At least she admits beforehand in her package that she hadn't danced since the ninth grade.) JoJo also comments about falling in love with her (as if he hasn't expressed similar things to other contestants. To be fair though, this was said first given that it was the first episode).
Though she did get an additional chance to show off her dance skills during the group dance number, she ultimately was not chosen to go to the finals.
Mackenzie at the auditions and in rehearsals
Dion Watson
Auditioning in Los Angeles and performing in the third group of semis, Dion Watson sung James Brown's "I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing" with it a kick-tacular routine to go with it. The judges all thought his dancing was superb but felt that the singing was not up-to-par with the dancing (with Johnny particularly noting the song choice not being the best one to show off his abilities). Though performing equally as well in the group dance number, he does not get selected to go to the finals.
Johannes Williams
Though I had said that Justin Jacoby was the only rapper of the group, Johannes Williams would kinda fall into that line as well. He auditioned in Los Angeles, and his beatboxing skills were something highlighted on the show. These skills were also used during his performance of LL Cool J's "Rock the Bells" during the semis as a member of the fourth group.
Alongside the beatboxing were a variety of dance moves and the rap itself that seemed to not match LL's rap. Whether or not that was by choice is unknown, but he did seem to flub a line when he verbally says he forgot it during one of the sets. Even still, he apparently had a worse performance during rehearsals, and some of the judges felt that the one he did for the show ended up very well in comparison to the one in rehearsals. Despite this, after doing the following dance group number, he does not move on to the finals.
Carolyn Zeppa
Last but not least, the incredibly tall and lanky Carolyn Zeppa auditioned in New York and was placed in the fourth group during the semis. She performed "I Gotcha" from Fossie with a dance bar, and though she maneuvered through the dance routine without messing up, some of the judges felt her singing wasn't as powerful as they thought it was going to be. Carolyn admits that it wasn't her best performance, and it read on her face during critiques so fucking hard I swear.
Years after the show, she dove into the The Ailey School but had also dove into criminology and equestrianism. Funny enough, like Judy, she had been involved with Dr. Drew in some way (though given the two had a bond before all of that from the show, it's more so a balance of enlightenment).
Holy Fuck We Made It to the End of That Section. Now What?
Well, it was pretty clear that the Idol-copycat show wasn't gonna work. I tried to put my finger on it for a minute and had a hard time pin-pointing at a specific spot. The singing performances not really being stellar. Debbie having working relationships of some the contestants prior. The judges not really being that dynamic in critiquing the contestants. They were all potential reasons, but none of them really had that gab of being the absolute reason it tanked (in my eyes at least).
After dawning on it some more, I came to a realization that might work better. Rather than it being any particular part of the show, I feel that it was the concept of the show itself that trickled the show into tanking.
The show sought out for a triple threat. Someone who could do it all. It was reflective of the franchise itself. And while it was possible that people could be triple threats (which were more like double threats with personality because acting wasn't one of the requirements for the show), the time allotted wasn't enough to develop their craft. It was a summer program literally trying to ride the coattail of American Idol. (The season 2 finale straight up ended a week before Fame premiered.) Sure, season 1 of American Idol was also a summer program, but its focus was purely on singing. Adding more elements into the mix led to a homogeneous structure of Broadway tunes and popular Billboard songs where singing and dancing could naturally flow. The presence of the two alone alongside other group numbers with similar elements just made it difficult for someone to improve on one thing because they're too busy trying to keep everything else up. Even when performances were more focused on the singing, they still had those group numbers to do. It was just too large of an act to juggle for what it was trying to accomplish.
It's no wonder the prize fell through for Harlemm. Marketing someone in both lanes as a Broadway star and a recording artist is a tough feat, and this is without taking his race into consideration (which only made it harder). With his album taking longer to complete, it left him out to be on Broadway. Subsequently, his album flopped and many of the prizes he was promised were revoked when his story was deemed not compelling enough for them to put the work in making him a star. It's all code for risk not being worth the reward because I felt his story was compelling. Had it been someone else, maybe it would've been smoother, but that's just one less hurdle to go through.
Triple threats do happen, but they don't happen overnight. It takes years to be seen as a threat to began with, more to be seen as multi-talented, and more to be equally respected within those fields. 2003's Fame couldn't take 15 minutes and turn it into 15 years. It's just how it went.
Damn, that was long, but hopefully you enjoyed this commercial break! These won't be a routine thing, but if I feel that there's a dry spell out there and I can think of something to talk about and wrap up nicely, then I'll go for it. Now, back to the duties at-hand!
Comments