[Maggie]

This is in my local paper tonight.

Bee Gee Robin Gibb is going back to music school as a judge on the second series of Fame Academy.
The 53-year-old Manchester born singer was selected to give some credibilty to the BBC show, which hits the screens this month.
A spokesman said; " Robin agreed that because of the songwriting element of the show that we had a chance of finding someone who will be around for a few years and challenge the mould."

Can't wait

[em]

load of news links here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/ent...eacademy.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/ent...eacademy.shtml

http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcas...996528,00.html

http://breaking.examiner.ie/2003/07/14/story106033.html

And this:
Hack Academy
Monkey can see showbiz journalists' worst competitive instincts coming to the fore in the 24-hour press sleepover that begins in the Fame Academy house tomorrow night. Eight hacks will be put through their paces by the Fame Academy coaching staff, with an early morning fitness workout, followed by singing and dancing lessons, before they have to perform a song. The Sun's Sara Nathan may have an unfair advantage as she is rumoured to have stage school training. News of the World hackette Sharon Marshall apparently takes dancing lessons and has been bragging that she can do the splits. The Daily Star's Gareth Morgan has been practising his moves and ditties around the office; while Nicola Methven has been canvassing Daily Mirror colleagues about which song she should mangle. Mail on Sunday TV critic Jaci Stephen - a late Associated replacement for Tara Conlan, who was blackballed by the Daily Mail news desk - has been known to dance on tables after a drink or two, so she should have no problem. Aled Jones from Radio 1, the Sunday Times' Dan Cairns and Mary Evans from the TV Times make up the plucky eight. The cameras will apparently be rolling in the Fame Academy house for the duration of the hacks stay - does Monkey see some potential for blackmail, to prevent those "Lame Academy" headlines rearing their head again?



Well, why not, the majority of criticism last time round was uncalled for. I cant wait!!!

Alot of people saying it starts Saturday July 26th.

[BigSister]

I cant wait either

[James]

David Sneddon is presenting The Saturday Show this Saturday, if you didn't already know.

[BigSister]

On Ceefax on ITV It says that Fame Academy and Pop Idol are going head to head on Saturday 26th July
Its on the entertainment page 130 and you should find it there
But i think thats the only time they will go head to head because Pop idol should be on a saturday and Fame Academy on a Friday unless they decided to switch Fame Academy to a Saturday?

[Amy]

Roll on the return of Fame Academy

[James]

I can't believe that they are going head to head with Pop Idol. They tried to do that last time with Popstars: Rivals and the series suffered because of it.

Popstars got more publicity.

[radiohead]

Fame acadamy versus pop idol wahay! canot wait! (tint of sarcasm) ah well fame acadamy is probably better but i think both of them r a bit rubish! I only have to watch fame acadamy as my girlfriend likes it so this is not good news for me! bugger

[liliacqueen]

no but its good news for me and u will have to sit through itwith me. and i missed most of d last one 4 u anyway

[radiohead]

Oh well, one word... bugger!

[liliacqueen]

thats it now ill make you sit through it and i wont pay u any attention lol only messin

[Stu xxx]

Pop Idol is SOOOOOO much better than Fame Academy x x x I know which one i'll be watching x

[Amy]

This is in The Sun today ...
THE girlfriend of F1 star JENSON BUTTON will be a contestant in BBC1’s Fame Academy.

Pretty LOUISE GRIFFITHS will appear on the first show later this month as one of 25 hopefuls waiting to get in.

Viewers will then be asked to vote the 13 finalists who will go into the TV show’s hothouse in North London to be trained.

Louise was once in a girl band called ORCHID, who originally recorded Sound Of The Underground.

The song was later nicked by GIRLS ALOUD and became their Christmas No1.

An insider at the BBC said: “Louise has a fantastic voice and is desperate to rebuild her pop career.


“She will be one of the first seven contestants singing to get into the Academy. She hopes Fame Academy will be her big chance, especially after Popstars winners Girls Aloud got a No1 with her song.”

Louise and Jenson have been dating nearly three years.

You may have seen the lovely Louise lounging around on yachts with the race ace.

But if she makes it into the Academy she will be put properly through her paces by headteacher RICHARD PARK.

If she wins, she will get a record deal with Polydor and a luxury flat to become the next DAVID SNEDDON — winner of the first series.

Article Here

[BigSister]

But it says that Pop Idol isnt starting for another 2 weeks
But Fame Academy is starting a week on Saturday

[Stu xxx]

to become the next DAVID SNEDDON

Shouldn't that be what the loser gets? x

[peachy]

Fame Academy was really great if, and only if, you watched the live streaming. I am really looking forward to Fame Academy 2 and just hope that it doesn't try to compete with P I. However, I MUCH preferred Fame Academy.

By the way, I can scarcely beleive how little we seem to be hearing about Will Young. Can anybody tell me what he's doing at the moment?

[BigSister]

Speaking of Will he was on GM TV this morning
I missed it though

[liliacqueen]

i will deffornatly be watchin fame acad and not popstars or idol what ever it is called

[Stu xxx]

My hubbie is actually taking things easy at the mo although he is in rehearsal mode for his Exeter performance xxx

[James]

Fame Academy and Pop Idol are going head to head in the ratings.

ITV aren't happy that the BBC haven't moved their show.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds11390.html

[Amy]

So BB has finished BUT!!! FA starts tonight 6:30pm
I wonder how long it will take for the press to rip FA apart like they did with BB

[BusyBee]

I wonder how long it will take for the press to rip FA apart like they did with BB

Probably after tonight's programme.

[Amy]

Just to let you all know the Official website is back up and running Click Here to view

[Amy]

Great show tonight Thought there were a few good singers there tonight can't wait for the 13 to get into the Academy

[dustmite]

I have to agree. Some of them were pretty awful though. I have to admit I do like the "Fame Academy on BBC THREE" program, as it follows through rather nicely with interviews with the judges, professionals in the field, etc...

And, shortly, are going to give sneek previews to the next six to perform.

Watching "Big Brother 4, the X Factor" (tag lines suck...) and Fame Academy at the same time may really drive me insane.

But nm