Good news for the Fame remake nobody really thinks is necessary: The high school’s faculty will include Bebe Neuwirth (dance), Kelsey Grammer (orchestra), Megan Mullally (voice), and Broadway actor Charles S. Dutton (acting) in the 2009 film. Debbie Allen, who played the hardass ballet teacher in 1980 (and in the ensuing TV series), will be the school’s principal. That’s quite the principle part! Teachers didn’t play a huge role in the original film, but since the remake’s high schoolers will be played by relative unknowns, it can certainly benefit from some bigger names. For extra intrigue, the producers may wish to change the movie’s title to The Faculty 2: Singing the Body Electric.
Does this casting news make you more or less excited for the Fame remake? Full disclosure: I just became 1000% more jazzed myself after a cursory look at IMDB, because I noticed that So You Think You Can Dance alum Kherington Payne will be playing "Alice." [Cue Cat Deeley voice] "It’s…Kherrrrrrrrrrrrrringtonnnnnnn." She’s gonna learn how to fly!
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I can’t say that Kelsey Grammar does anything for me these days. The others are good choices, though, since they’re all Broadway vets.
I didn’t even know about this movie … but Bebe Neuwirth and Megan Mullally is just too darn perfect!
Bebe dancing makes me happy!!! The rest are fine but I will be there to watch Bebe dance on the big screen.
It doesn’t make me excited at all. Mind you, I’m not an American. Americans seemed to get “excited” over the most stupid and unexciting things.
well you are taking 3 actors for 3 very classic sitcoms, this better be wittier than a season of Gilmore Girls, why waste such comic talent!
Bebe Neuwirth rocks. You poor people from the provinces only know her from TV, but here in New York we’ve seen her on stage. She can give any So you think you can dance alum a run for their money.
Why?
Up until now I could’ve cared less about this project, but putting Kherington in the cast just guaranteed I’ll buy a ticket. I always thought she got the shaft on SYTYCD, so it’ll be interesting what she does with an acting career. Plus I like Kelsey Grammer (although not enough to see that freakin’ American Carol movie – yuck).
I am cautiously optimistic with the faculty casting…
And say what you will, but I did like Kuh-herington.
Bebe Neuwirth? Hell yeah! Kelsey Grammer? [crickets] Megan Mullally? Hell yeah! Charles Dutton? Hell yeah! Debbie Allen? Oh hell yeah! Kherington? Hell yeah! They’re off to a good start! Maybe this movie will be worth seeing.
The students in the first movie were all unknowns, as were the teachers. Although I like a lot of these people I refuse to see this movie. Why oh why are they redoing this movie.
Lilith & Frasier Reunion! Whoo-hoo!
I just…I mean…well…I WANT to be excited, but I just loved the old movie and series so much. Its going to be hard not to compare. I am going to be thinking about Bruno and Doris and Ms. Sherwood, and trying not to be cynical.
Lame, lame, lame and completely unnecessary. How lazy have Hollywood executives become? It’s positively shameful that there are so many remakes lately.
I love Bebe Neuwirth. She’s just the best. And a possible Frasier/Lilith interaction–bonus!
I always thought that Kherington was destined for Hollywood. Even if she wasn’t the best dancer on SYTYCD (nowhere near), the camera *loved* her. I think she’ll do well. Now let’s just get more of the SYTYCD kids in the cast!
The Fame remake should be a sequel not a remake. Basically it should be an updated version similar to that of Degrassi or B.H. 90210 without the old songs. BTW: there was a rumor that the 1985 classic Real Genius was going to be made into a sequel too with Val Kilmer reprising Chris Knight.
Well, the judges kept telling Kherington all season how beautiful she was, and I believe it was mentioned at least once that she should try acting, so I guess she took their advice: If you don’t win SYTYCD, try your hand at acting.
If this is a movie, why not stock it with movie stars instead of TV people? Or is it going to be a TV show?
Lillith?… and Fraiser? I think It must be my lucky day
Fame…meh. Bebe Neuwirth? YAAAAYYYY!
No. No no no nonoononononono.
NO.
I’m more excited about the movie since the teachers/principal were announced. One because Debbie Allen is in it but maybe even more than that because Bebe Neuwirth is in it and Bebe appeared in one episode of the TV series Fame as a dance teacher.
I was a fan of the original FAME movie and the TV series which followed. I am also familiar with the actors and actresses which will be in the new production. from other TV series. I am hoping that they will find a way to blend the original with the new with guest appareances and also that there will be some new original plots. I also loved the theme from the original Fame movie and series.
Over the moon that Megan Mullally is the singing teacher, this is my new favorite movie!!!