Fame (1980s)

Fame the TV series is a far cry from Fame the movie, which offered a gritty, honest
portrayal of what it was like for teens growing up in New York City in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Whereas the film captured the raw emotions of teens who were grappling with heavy issues -- including homosexuality and teen pregnancy -- the small-screen version is much tamer, focusing on the positive aspects of the characters' lives and reserving serious topics for occasional "issue" episodes. It also fails to replicate the film's vibrancy when it comes to the musical performances, which are typically lip-synched or played over a montage. But the series was undeniably entertaining -- and popular -- for its time, earning eight Emmy Awards and two Golden Globes.

For today's kids, Fame will seem seriously dated -- from the legwarmers the students wear to class to the mimeograph used in the central office to make copies. But that isn't to say they won't like it. The best thing about it, by far, is the fact that parents don't have to worry about iffy content and can actually feel good about their teens -- and even some older tweens -- watching. And that kind of makes it feel kind of modern.