Fame ran on NBC in the summer of 2003. The show was essentially NBC's attempt to ape the success of mega-hit American Idol, right down to their selection of judges (former pop star Carnie Wilson/Paula Abdul; Johnny Wright/Randy Jackson the veteran music producer; JoJo Wright/Simon Cowell the judge who says things to stir people up), but kept the Fame theme music (with a new vocal) as well as producer Debbie Allen. Former boy band member Joey Fatone was the official host of the show, but Allen also made frequent appearances. The National Broadcasting Company or NBC is an American radio and television broadcasting company based in New York Citys Rockefeller Center. ... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A promotional poster for the fourth season of American Idol, in International Plaza Mall in Tampa. ... Carnie Wilson (born April 29, 1968) is the first daughter of American 60s pop icon Brian Wilson and his first wife Marilyn. ... Paula Abdul while hosting American Idol. ... Randy Jackson (born June 23, 1956 Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is an American musician and record producer, now most known for being a judge on the television show American Idol. ... Simon Philip Cowell (born October 7, 1959 in Brighton, England) is a British A&R (artist and repertoire) executive for BMG Records, but is probably best known as a judge on Pop Idol and American Idol television programs. ... Debbie Allen (born Deborrah Kaye Allen on January 16, 1950 in Houston, Texas) is an American actress, choreographer, film director, television producer and a member of the Presidents Committee on the Arts and Humanities. ... Joseph Anthony Fatone Jr. ...

In the initial rounds, the producers and judges chose which performers would stay or go, with the final dozen or so performances surviving based on the recommendations of the judges as well as phone votes from fans. Unlike American Idol, where one viewer could call up to thousands of times in a 2-hour window, Fame limited the amount of votes per phone.

Although the Fame premiere did well in the ratings, much criticism was heaped upon the program for a number of reasons. Unlike Idol, where the producers had absolutely no connection to any performers before the auditions, Allen personally knew and had worked with a number of those who made it to the final rounds. In the middle of the season, the show announced they would bring in a "spoiler", a new finalist who could make it to the last round if the public enjoyed his or her work. They asked viewers to send in audition tapes by July 1. On July 2, they announced the winner - Tyce Keith Dorio. Dorio was introduced to fans as a dance instructor, but his actual credits included being a former backup dancer for *NSYNC (Joey Fatone's boy band) and dancing in an Academy Awards piece choreographed by Debbie Allen. Dorio was eliminated a week later, but many remained skeptical of the casting methods. *NSYNC is a five-part pop music vocal group, specifically a boy band, formed in Orlando, Florida, USA. The group members are James Lance Bass (Lance), Joshua Scott Chasez (JC), Joseph Anthony Fatone Jr. ... Although he never won an Oscar for any of his movie performances, the comedian Bob Hope received two honorary Oscars for his contributions to cinema. ...

Unlike American Idol, which focused on singing, or Star Search, which divided talent up into several categories, Fame sought a "triple threat", someone who could dance, sing, and have star quality. In the eyes of many viewers, most of the finalists had shockingly poor singing abilities, and so much emphasis was placed on dance numbers that their voices never improved. Viewer reaction quickly gave way to apathy and the ratings fell considerably. Star Search was a television show from 1983 to 1995 hosted by Ed McMahon. ...

The final two performers were Shannon Bex and Harlemm Lee. Lee himself was not without controversy, as he had lied about his age (he was 36, past the age limit) and his short-lived 80's musical career as Gerry Woo. However, he dazzled viewers with his campy performances of such songs as Yolanda Adams' Get Here, and they deemed him the true "triple threat". Lee's prizes included a record deal, a starring role in the off-Broadway play Fame on 42nd Street, and a free year-long hotel stay. Lee's record, Introducing Harlemm Lee was barely promoted and quickly flopped, he did not appear in the play (the producers cited a scheduling conflict), and by summer 2004 he told fans if not for unemployment checks and the free hotel stay, he would have been penniless and homeless. In spite of the shabby treatment, Lee said he had no hard feelings. Yolanda Adams (born in 1964) is an African-American singer, one of the most popular gospel music artists of the contemporary period. ... Off-Broadway refers to plays or musicals performed in New York City in smaller theatres than Broadway, but larger than Off-Off-Broadway, productions. ... 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Fame links
• Recaps/reviews - more can be found in their archives section
• Harlemm Lee's homepage
• Directory > Entertainment > Television Shows > Reality Television > Talent Shows > Fame > Shannen Bex
• Directory > Entertainment > Television Shows > Reality Television > Talent Shows > Fame > Harlemm Lee