Fame Academy 3

Does anyone know if the BBC are planning to make a third series of Fame Academy, I heard a rumour that the show was to be axed - just wondering if anyone else had heard anything...

Plus, who is YOUR favourite? - I personally prefer Kim, but I think it's great that Reggie and Ade are really getting into the spirit of Comic Relief!!!!!

I seem to remember it already having been "axed" a while ago! You never really know with BBC programmes these days...

There was a rumour that there would be a third series this year, but personally I doubt it, seeing as the BBC are just embarking on an anti-"copy-cat" programming crusade. Fame Academy, unfortunately, probably fits into that category.

But I wouldn't be surprised if Comic Relief does Fame Academy came back for the next Comic Relief, after all, it generates a lot of interest in Red Nose Day, as well as a load of money for it. I also think that the Celebrity version is a more original show (maybe not an original idea, but there's no Celebrity Pop Idol, is there?), and personally I'd like to see it back for another run next year - 2 years is quite a hefty gap otherwise.

Nothing has been confirmed yet, but i hardly think they would go to the trouble of finding a new academy, if they were only planning a celebrity special. Plus CBBC's Jake Humphery did say that there would be a Celebrity special followed by a third series later in the year. I think the BBC did the right thing, giving the series a break last year, before the format gets stale too quickly. I also think that Fame Academy 3 would do well as long as it is not schedueled against Pop Idol. Maybee a programme like the X Factor would be a weaker contender.

That's a point. I do think it's a good show - I prefer it to the X Factor/Pop Idol type offerings. Hopefully there will be a third series. I agree that there shouldn't be too much of this type of programming on the BBC - but I don't think it's fair to say that there shouldn't be any. There needs to be a balance.

Nothing confirmed. On the one hand the BBC get slated for making "reality shows" - but on the other hand they can't justify the new academy for just the Celebrity series.

I'd like to see a third series myself - though reverting to the more original format of series 1 - but only if it aired either this Spring or next Winter. Airing it in the Autumn head to head with The X Factor wouldn't do it any favours.

Is it me or didn't Tessa Jowell, the wonderful cow say this type of programming would end. "The BBC Should no-longer chase ratings for the shake of chasing ratings"
So if we do get another series of Lame Academy what should we expect, cruel Academy? or perhaps we'll just have to usual cack like last time which lasts for about 2 weeks after winning and has one absolutly revloting record. now let me think were that ideas come from......ITV.......Pop Idol.
Please, please, please, Im aware the license fee is a double edged sword but please im feed up to the back teeth with Richard "Hand gesture behind Claudia whilst he thinks he out of shot" Parks and the rest on Lame Academy.
Matrix

It's not the same as Pop Idol though is it.

Another key point is that there is a Fame Academy Bursery (chaired by Sir Paul McCartney), that has raised over £2m for musical equipment/lessons for loads of people...that's from the phone votes from series 1 and 2.

Having said all that, I would be very surprised if it did return for anything other than another celebrity special for the next red nose day (using Strictly Come Dancing as the cash cow for children in need each year)....it's almost a tainted product because of a false belief that it is derivative from Pop Idol. The format actually predates Popstars/Idol etc. and in my opinion is a lot more entertaining.

I would have agreed that in its original format it was not the same as Pop Idol however I think in its present form,with a move away from life in the academy to focus on the live singing, has taken away its USP -the Big Brother Element. I mean they even use the same singing coaches as Pop Idol series one and like Pop Idol the only chance you get to see the singing lessons is in the VTs.

You say the format pre-dates popstars - when did it first air and in which country?

I don't like watching all the highlights from what happened in the academy. I prefer listening and watching to the performance and hearing the judges verdict (and seeing Richard call Paddy a w**ker).

[quote="North East"]

"Star Academy"- I believe it started in Spain....BBC's Fame Academy did start after Popstars on ITV though.

I thought the original idea was French. The French have academy's like that.

I think the original idea was Dutch, not French.....