Lifetime Network has picked up MGM Television’s Fame reboot, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Smash and Gossip Girl alum Josh Safran is attached. Nigel Lythgoe (So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol) is one of the executive producers.
First announced in August 2012, the drama hails from MGM Television and is described as a reimagining of the hit (1980) movie and subsequent NBC TV series. The drama, like the originals, revolves around a group of adults struggling to balance high pressures of life at a performing arts college with the trials and expectations in their personal lives.
The potential series, which is in the early stages of development, will be produced by MGM Television and A+E Studios, which boarded the drama as a co-producer when it landed at Lifetime.
Safran will pen the script and serve as executive producer, alongside Nigel, Chad Gutstein and Charles Segars.
The series, in early development, has been kicking around since 2012.
“In my lifetime, I’ve discovered a great many incredibly talented individuals,” said Nigel, at the time the reboot was initially announced. “Some have achieved stardom. Simultaneously, I’ve seen many dreams shattered, egos destroyed and lives changed forever. The end destination may well be fame and fortune, but the road to stardom is littered with broken hearts. I look forward to stripping away the glitter and glamour and revealing the true mixture of passion, humanity, exhaustion and sacrifice that these richly talented individuals endure on their road to ‘Fame.’”
I wonder, now that the show has landed on Lifetime, Nigel’s goals are the same.
The original Fame series ran for six seasons and 136 episodes. Created by Christopher Gore, it starred Debbie Allen (Lydia), Gene Anthony Ray (Leroy) (RIP), Carlo Imperato (Danny) and Lori Singer (Julie), and even Janet Jackson later in its run.
The series was based on the movie, Fame, which featured the hit title track, sung by Irene Cara.
