Problems
There were personal tensions between several contestants during the series, and producers exacerbated these tensions by showing footage of this whenever possible during the brief highlights packages on the live shows. Arguments also regularly broke out between the Fame Academy teachers during the live showdowns. David and Carrie Grant frequently disagreed with Richard Park, although Robin Gibb maintained a neutral stance, and gained respect for his evenhandedness towards all the contestants throughout the series. Regular arguments also broke out between Richard Park and the presenter Patrick Kielty. Opinions are still divided among viewers about whether these arguments were genuine or deliberately staged for ratings.
The final was considered to be highly controversial by many viewers. The majority of celebrity guests present, including Lenny Henry and Jonathan Ross, were highly enthusiastic in their support for Alex, with little corresponding support being shown for the other contestants. An unscripted outburst in favour of Alex by guest singer Daniel Bedingfield was compounded by his inappropriate level of personal interest in the young and openly gay female contestant, who showed obvious embarrassment.
The scheduling of the live Fame Academy shows often clashed with the similar Pop Idol on ITV. The latter usually came off better in the ratings, and viewers of both series expressed resentment at this deliberate conflict.
Widespread criticism of the BBC's perceived copying of the Pop Idol format purely to achieve higher viewing figures also featured in the Parliamentary review of the BBC's charter. Many critics felt that it was a prime example of a derivative reality entertainment show which the BBC should not be funding. The programme was not re-commissioned for a third series.
The negative publicity this received caused the BBC to distance itself from the whole Fame Academy concept, and plans for a Fame Academy 2 national tour in 2004 never materialised.
Read more about this topic: Fame Academy (series 2)
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