Fame, The Finale: Now Go to Work!

Well, folks, it’s finally here - the last episode of Fame. I wish I could say I am excited about tonight’s show, but I cannot. I don’t suppose too many people really are. After ten weeks, I am no more enthralled than I was at the beginning – perhaps even less so, to be honest. However, a finale is a finale, and at the end of it, one person should be named the winner of all those prizes, which are actually quite impressive when you stop to think about it. I’ll try not to take away any of the glory from whoever should be declared the winner tonight by continuing this nasty negative attitude!

All that being said, I am sitting in my favorite chair, prepared to enjoy the last episode and revel in the fact that it is the last time I have to write about it.

The show opens with Moy telling us that she had a feeling she was going to be eliminated and poor Allyson saying that she is going back to New York to wait tables. Our spoiler, well, he did the best he could. Just wasn’t good enough, eh, Tyce?

Joey and Debbie welcome us to the finale of Fame. Her hair is short again - kind of Tina Turnerish. “Tonight is the night,” she teases. Let’s get this show on the road. Joey introduces the finalists – Serena Henry, Harlemm Lee, Brandon O’Neal and Shannon Bex. They are certainly exuberant! Then we meet our panel of industry experts for the last time.

As a “special treat” tonight, the producers have brought back all twelve of the original contestants and they are going to do “We’ve Come to Work” one more time. What - no Tyce? I love it. This was one of my favorite numbers in the entire series. I am watching Brandon closely (I didn’t before). He can really, really dance. Garry Adams is bald (maybe he figures it works for Harlemm), and we are also treated to Sting7’s fave, Justin “Skittles” Jacoby, one more time. There’s my boy Alex. It’s just like a family reunion! Yeah – they came to work! No introductions tonight; just the song and the dancing. Great job. Am I starting to sound enthused? Sorry. Must maintain my continuing level of objectivity!

Now it’s time to check out tonight’s first solo performer – Serena Henry. She’s feeling relaxed, but she is anxious to find out what is going to happen. We get a neat film clip of Serena as a baby and a little girl. She’s been performing forever. She talks about her time with Gladys Knight and what a great experience it was. She was really stressed out during boot camp and we see her break down during one of the rehearsals! She tells us that she climbed that mountain and jumped over the hurdles to get to where she is. Mom says she’s a winner no matter what. I agree.

Tonight, Serena is singing “America the Beautiful,” and she brings some church up in here. Wonderful! Serena has the pipes as well as the looks and win or lose, someone will pick her up. This is without question her best performance of the entire series. You sing it, girl! I’m feelin’ it!

Our next finalist, Harlemm Lee, is introduced. The audience sure loves him. Debbie says since he’s been one of the favorites all along, how will he feel if he doesn’t go all the way? He says he already feels like he’s come all the way. In his clip, he relates how he bought the whole deal that he needed a nine-to-five job and became an office assistant. He continued to audition, though, because his dream has always been to be a pop star. When he auditioned, he lied about his age because he didn’t think that he would have a chance if he told the truth. We actually see him tell that nasty lie! Anyway, he waited patiently after the audition and when several days went by without a call he was pretty discouraged. Finally he got the call and was elated. He also worked hard in boot camp and now, all he can think about is going to China and selling a million records.

He has chosen “Tomorrow” from Annie. Hmmmmmmm. He is just so awesome, though. The song is slower than he usually works, but as usual, he nails it. “Yeah!” I shout. He builds it up and truly “makes it his own.” I don’t normally say that, but that’s the only way I can describe what he does with this. It is not even recognizable from the original (which annoys me beyond words). Whatever happens tonight, I don’t think Harlemm has anything to worry about. He’s proven that he deserves to be recognized, and I doubt that he will have to go back to his desk job again, ever.

Two more solo performances to go (and it is only 8:15). How are they going to fill this hour? We break for commercial.

“Welcome back,” says Joey. “We are just moments away from revealing America’s final vote!” They bring out Brandon. Debbie asks him if he is ready for fame and he says he doesn’t think he is! The clips are adorable. He grew up in Tennessee and seemed destined to play basketball, but he says that he always wanted to perform. We see him singing in church and then his father tells us that they knew at an early age that Brandon had a knack for performing. He begged his mom to go to the audition for Fame. He has had to work harder than the others since he is required to go to school as well as rehearse and thinks that he gave America what the triple-threat should be.

He is singing “When a Man Loves a Woman” tonight. Interesting choice. He is much looser than normal and puts some serious emotion into this. His voice is so smooth. Honey, you’ve got it! He slides off the stage!

Joey and Debbie chat about the triple threat. This is a chance to ease into a piece about Wilhelmina Modeling. The winner gets a contract with them, as we all know, and all the contestants have an opportunity to talk to a representative of the agency about how they might be marketed. They get some photos done and a little individual attention. Shannon is told that she would be marketed with more emphasis on “family values,” while there would be more emphasis on Brandon’s performing skill. Serena wants to be marketed as herself, and since she is a cosmetic “junkie,” this is most likely the direction the agency would take with her. As for Harlemm, since he is proud of his heritage, the agency would try to capitalize on that. Very reasonable expectations.