What is the Competition *really* about?

Fame Forum

I'm beginning to have a theory about what's really going on with the Fame competition.

There is a Broadway show called Fame: The Musical in the planning stages. I'm starting to believe that the whole idea behind sprinkling semi-professionals and professionals in with the amateurs is an effort to find cast members and a ready-made audience for the new Broadway Fame show.

Clearly, someone with as much experience as Tyce could audition for Fame: The Musical and get a role. But I think the producers are probably thinking, hey, why not have him dance for a few weeks on national TV in order to build up a fanbase following?

Also, having experienced semi-pros such as Serena and Shannon compete on TV helps them build up a fanbase before they, too, will probably be offered featured roles in Fame: The Musical.

The winner of Fame will likely get a featured star turn in the Broadway show, but there will also be places in the show for the other finalists. I wouldn't be surprised if Garry, Jamisen, and Raymond show up with small roles in Fame: The Musical.

Well, that's my theory...

Sold!

Thank you! I'm glad someone agrees with the theory

Diorio is not really a competitor on Fame the TV show. I believe he's already in the cast of Fame: The Musical and he's being brought to take a few star turns on Fame: The TV show in order to drum up interest and build an audience for the Broadway show.

Wow, yeah, that all sounds very logical! I can't believe how quickly things have changed. I really thought this would be a fair competition in the beginning. The more I read and learned the more disappointed I got. I can't believe some of the professional impact that's already there, stupid little me really believed it would be an amateur competition, to bring out some "new" talent. I guess from now on it's just "lean back, watch and try to enjoy anyways". I have thought for a while that it's fixed, but I guess there's not really much doubt anymore now.

I've stated this before, but I want to bring it up again:
Good luck to the few really talented AMATEURS. who had the guts to compete against all the (semi) pros. Heads up to you guys, that you even got that far!
Hopefully the tv exposure is going to help you in your future career. Fame is only the beginning...

Special shout outs to Jamisen Tiangco!
"Baby, remember that name!"

Yeah, it's kind of interesting to see how the competition is turning into a somewhat professional one. I wish the finalists loads of luck!!!

FYI...Fame the Musical was created in 1998 and already has its Broadway run. I saw it in London last year. They're getting ready to relaunch it in NYC...but it's definitely not new...there's even a soundtrack that was made in the late 90's for the musical version.

Personally, I would see Fosse 100x before seeing Fame the Musical again...painful.

I can personally vouch for the fact that your theory is 150% untrue. He is there because he was really chosen from the video tapes. He is not in any way shape or form previously involved in the Broadway show. Famester, its TV. DOn't take it so seriously.
Suzanne

I haven't been pursuaded which one to fully support yet. I have already ruled out Harlemm because he has no problems lying. (no, I don't care to hear any one's self-righteous slurs against me.... I believe it's wrong EVEN in the TV industry)

I have definately ruled out Justin.

I'm going to give Tyce an opportunity to show his stuff, ONLY because this is a game. If Tyce actually submitted a video, and if the judges selected his video fairly, and not pre-planned, then it is not his fault the producers changed the show midstream.

If any of you were talented enough to send in a video, you would have done it too. And you would hope the rest of us would consider you. It's part of the show, for whatever reasons the producers decided to do it this way.

If he's good, and if he treats the others with respect and doesn't trash them or cut-throat them, He'll have my vote. Like I said before, I look at more than talent in a person. I look at how they represent the industry.

If Tyce is an honest man, I hope he kicks Harlemm's hiney in competition. Most say let the best talented person win, but I say, let the most talented with the best character win. I'd be curious to learn what Tyce is like off-stage and away from the cameras. Is he a man of integrity, or just talent?

The producers threw a fast ball, and we don't have a choice. We can choose to change the channel, or give him a chance. I'm going to give him a chance because I'm hoping he's original. I recorded Fame last week because I wasn't home to watch it. I fast forwarded through everyone's performances because they were boring. Been there, seen that. I just wanted to see who got voted off.

Tyce, if you read this, please be honest with us. And kick butt!

Kukabeara- very well put!
All I can say is that in any conversations I've had with Tyce since he's been selected, all he talks about is how talented everyone ELSE is and how grateful he is to be given this opportunity.
Thanks for keeping an open mind.

Well, Tyce is certainly a professional dancer but the TV viewers haven't heard his singing voice yet.

Who knows? He might be an excellent, polished dancer with no singing talent.

Very true Famester! If nothing else, we'll all have something new to talk about Wednesday, that's for sure.

I've been unfair to Tyce ever since I learned about the spoiler coming on board. We are all critisizing the contestants we feel have had experience and shouldn't be there. If everyone looked at how long I was in business, they may say I don't deserve a break on Donald Trump's new show (no I didn't apply for it), but they would have to look at the success factor. Did I get any breaks during that time I was in business, or am I still waiting for my break that will make me successful?

We look at Tyce being on a magazine, or on a Web page, or a Broadway show, but we don't look at how much he got paid, how long did he work, what struggles he's going through, or anything like that. He must not be famous or we would have heard about him.

As for success, unless we want to ask him nosey questions about his finances (which is none of our business) we have no idea how he is successful. As for dance experience, if it takes owning a dance studio and teaching until someone notices you, so be it.

I worked as an employee for other businesses until I learned the trade myself and could start my own business. Tyce worked in a studio until he could get noticed beyond what he has been doing for the past 15 years.

I suspect the same has been happening for Harlemm, Moy and Brandon. Each one waiting to be noticed.

If people judged me by the many years I was in my industry, they would say I don't need a break, but they wouldn't see the tears, sweat, and struggles during those years. They wouldn't see how a break was never given to me, and that would be an unfair judgement.

If it takes another five years for Tyce or the others to get noticed, are we all going to tell them they have had five more extra years experience and don't deserve to be on Fame, AI, Star Search or any other talent show? We're the ones being unfair because the producers didn't run the show the way we wanted them to.

It is true that I would be dissapointed to learn later that this whole thing was staged, but we don't know that for sure now.

KUK - what do you do?

I am actually way curious to see Tyce perform tonight! He was definitely brought in to create drama and rates, so I assume he must be pretty good... I'm sure some of the (semi)pros up there will be "sweating" a little more now, when they thought, they might already have won this. As I've said, I'm going to view the show with different eyes from now on, not anymore as the actual competition they claimed this to be, than rather like one of those evening soaps/dramas... those can be interesting too, let's see what they do next to ensure the ratings, maybe eliminate one of the high faves soon???

Tyce sent in a video, but if he's that well known in the NY dance world, Debbie Allen knows him. She should have had no voice in choosing him. This whole "spoiler" thing was a mistake. It just muddies the waters and prevents a clean contest. I have the feeling the whole show was slapped together in the wake of American Idol and nobody really thought it through. Also, the fact that they're choosing a winner with four left probably indicates that NBC wants an early end to it.

JUSTIN IS THE BEST!!!!!!