Got Big Dreams?

I was very excited to find out that my favorite tv show of my youth has released the first season on DVD. The disappointing part: the libraries didn't have any copies. Once I decided it was worth spending money to rent (a rarity for me) I found that none of the nearby national rental chains had copies. I knew who would have it though. Scarecrow Video - which is not in my neighborhood in case you were wondering why I didn't try there first. They have everything. It's just a matter of whether or not someone else has rented it. Not only that, but unlike the chains, I can rent the entire season at once at a discounted rate instead of disc by disc (and with no discount).

One thing I was concerned about was that I would not enjoy this show as an adult. There are other tv shows and movies that I loved when I was a kid that I have re-watched as an adult and couldn't believe I was ever entertained by them.
Fame was a sacred show to me, so influential in my childhood. I didn't want to find out that it really wasn't all that I had hyped it up to be. I was relieved to find out that I enjoy it just as much as an adult.

The funny thing is, I could remember all the character's names, even their majors, but I didn't remember any of the plot lines.



I had the Kids From Fame record. I listened to it all the time. Luckily my dad had dubbed it to tape so I was able to listen to it long after the record player died (that's a 'turn table' to you youngins). I can still sing along to every single song. It's interesting to find out what the context of the songs were. I'd kind of like to have the album on CD (maybe I should drop that hint closer to a gift-giving time).

Watching the episodes naturally led to, 'wonder where they are now?' I hit the IMDB. This is when I discovered some sad news:

Gene Anthony Ray
1962- 2003

He was such a big part of Fame - and one of the reasons for its success.
A long time ago Quinn and I went to see the basketball movie Eddie when it was in theaters. The only thing I remember from the entire movie was the brief cameo by Ray. As soon as he appeared on screen, Quinn and I turned excitedly to each other. I can't remember what we exclaimed but it was probably,"Leroy!" (if we actually formed any words at all).