[Jack_]

...and no, not the Celebrity version. The original was better. After reading about it a couple of days ago, it reminded me of just how good it was.

It had 24/7 Live coverage, Highlight shows, the 'students' were encouraged to write their own songs and music, were given musical education [vocal coaching, songwriting lessons, fitness/dance classes, workshops with professionals]. The format was also pretty tense, with there being a 'Bottom Three', the Judges saving one, and the other students saving the other. It was similar to Big Brother in the sense that they were completely cut off from the outside world, and were filmed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Here's an extract from the Wikipedia article:

Fame Academy claimed to emphasise the creative talent of the contestants, (called "students" on the show) who were encouraged to write their own songs and music as well as developing their singing technique and performing skills. Inside the Academy for a period of ten weeks, the students were given a complete musical education. This included individual vocal coaching, songwriting lessons, personal development, fitness/dancing classes, and workshops with professionals. The students stayed at Witanhurst, an historic Georgian-style mansion in Highgate that was specially redressed for the series. They were provided with dormitory-style living accommodation, communal meals and recreation areas.

The programme was filmed as a reality TV show in the Big Brother format, with the students being completely cut off from the outside world, and not allowed to leave the "Academy" without supervision. The contestants were televised constantly through a vast network of cameras that were monitored 24 hours a day. Viewers of the streaming programmes were able to watch almost everything going on behind the scenes. Singing lessons, dance classes, rehearsals and costume fittings were all filmed, as well as the daily life of the contestants from waking up to going to sleep. This also included mealtimes, relaxation periods and "private" moments. The social interaction between the students, and the growing tensions as their numbers dwindled, added to the interest of the show week by week and highlights of the live streaming, heavily edited, were also shown as part of the CBBC and BBC Three spin-off programmes and on the weekly showdown.

I loved the show at the time, but never realised just how good it was. I'd love them to bring it back.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fame_Academy

Series 1:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fame_Ac...%28series_1%29

Series 2:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fame_Ac...%28series_2%29