Kwame Academy (Celebrity Fame Academy 2003)

Member Name: karenuk

Product:	Celebrity Fame Academy 2003
Date:	10/03/03 (386 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: excellent viewing

Disadvantages: only on for a week

NOTE : This is the review of the TV series not the album. I will ask Katie to move it, once she is back from her break.

CELEBRITY FAME ACADEMY 2003 (TV series)

It wasn’t so long ago, I was riveted to Fame Academy – watching the gorgeous Malachi Cush, the equally gorgeous Sinead Quinn and the rather naughty-but-sexy Ainslie Henderson. That time, David Sneddon won and had a number one single not long after. Sinead and Ainslie have since had top five singles and Malachi’s album is due out this month.

Now, however, we have a new style programme gracing our screens nightly for a week – Celebrity Fame Academy. Similar format, same staff, but with celebs. This time, it’s all for Comic Relief. People phone in to vote for their favourites, which raises money for charity. In the same way as Celebrity Big Brother did last year, this gives us celebs as you have never seen them before, a whole lotta laughs and one damn good piece of telly!

The celebrities taking part are…

JOHN THOMSON – Actor (Cold Feet)
John always come across as cute, cuddly, tremendous fun and generally pretty adorable.
Singing style – Pub/karaoke, not bad at all but doesn’t take himself too seriously.

KWAME KWEI-ARMAH – Actor (Casualty’s paramedic Fin)
Kwame seems very quiet, laid-back and intelligent. Not as outgoing as many of the others though, which is a disadvantage in this sort of show.
Singing style – Pretty damn amazing! Could easily have a career as a singer.

WILL MELLOR – Actor (Recently left Casualty)
Will can come across as being a bit cocky, but when you’re as good looking and talented as he is, I guess it’s no surprise!
Singing style – Another very impressive voice. Could also have a career singing. Oh, he did ;-)

PAUL ROSS – Jonathon’s brother <grin>
Well, any ounce of respect I had for
him before the show has all dissipated now. Following his exit on the first night, he has spent his time bitching about his fellow celebrities. He took it all far too seriously. Get back to domesticity, Paul. Fame doesn’t suit you.
Singing style – Low standard pub/karaoke.

FEARNE COTTON – Kids’ TV presenter
Undoubtedly the ‘crumpet’ of the show, her cutesy blonde image and skimpy clothes failed to compensate for the fact she cannot sing. Voted off second, with only Paul Ross’ arrogance preventing her from going home first.
Singing style – Absent. Thinks she can sing, but can’t. Ouch.

JO BRAND – Comedienne
Her dry wit compensated for her lack of singing ability, which meant she was always pleasant and fun to watch, even when the notes were doing more somersaults than Nadia Comaneci. Voted off third.
Singing style – Often a good performance, but little vocal ability. Fun to watch though.

RUBY WAX – Comedienne and TV presenter
I usually can’t stand Ruby, I find her far too loud, irritating and over the top. However, when she sings that way, it kind of works. She has certainly got huge amounts of energy and puts her all into her performances.
Singing style – Shouty and squeaky, but great charisma and worth watching.

ULRIKA JONSSON – All-round self-publicist and good time girl <grin>
Another one who seems to take this far too seriously. Her singing voice isn’t too bad and is probably the best out of the women, but her attitude is annoying.
Singing style – Pleasant enough, but not great.

DOON McKICHAN – Comedy actress (Smack The Pony)
She has come across really well so far and seems someone you could easily get on with. She seems to have the right idea about the competition too – it’s a bit of fun, try your best but don’t get too serious about it.
Singing s
tyle – Pleasant enough, with a couple of dodgy notes.

As with the original Fame Academy format, the ‘students’ live in the house and have to attend singing lessons, dance classes and eat meals together. The celebs don’t have it quite as tough as the ‘wannabes’ had though, as they are allowed home if they wish – and why not? It’s for charity, after all!

It has been fascinating watching them training and socialising together, but the best bits are undoubtedly the performances. Each night this week, each of the remaining celebrities will sing live on TV. Some are put on probation and have to sing for survival, with the public vote saving one and the other celebs having to vote to save a second.

This is compelling viewing, I hope they do this every year. I am a big fan of reality TV anyway, but this is just great TV and surely no one can say the celebs are being exploited.

The only criticism I would level at the format is that the singing abilities of the celebs are extremely mixed. It might have been a better idea to have either all celebs who are average (or below) in their vocal abilities or a group of nine who can all sing well. After all, if it is based on singing alone, it’s surely a two-horse race between Kwame and Will? But if it is purely on fun, enjoyment and performance, Ruby must be the favourite. Let’s wait and see.

Celebrity Fame Academy is on BBC1 every night this week with the grand final on Friday night. Further coverage on BBC3.

Summary: