Baby Remember My Name

For the most part I'm not keen on the music in this episode as I wanted proper songs rather than instrumental music. The final dance I actually think is pretty boring and seems to go on forever taking away air time from the things I do want to see.

Instead I think I would have used brief flashbacks to other episodes and showed some of the best loved songs which would have been a way to show the characters that have come back particularly Nicole. I believe Nia was on set during the filming as she was dating Carlo at the time so they could have always filmed a new scene with her to show as flashback for Nicole.

So after the reunion scenes and the returning characters interviews to camera the best parts come at the end when Leroy decides he doesn't want to continue as a teaching assistant and is leaving. The scene is so beautifully played by Gene and Debbie and always makes me cry. Debbie has said that for her they were real tears and I'm sure the same was true of Gene too as it sums up the audiences feelings of saying goodbye to the show.

The finale with all the cast singing Fame is also wonderful and it's great to hear the returning cast sing a few lines. Erica opening the song always gives me chills as it's such a reminder of the show at it's best. The key of the song doesn't seem to fit some of the cast though and their vocals aren't up to the usual standard. It is a totally fitting way to end the show and for once the season 6 writers were right on the money with the writing.

Debbie was pregnant with her second child by the filming of this episode and I've heard her say that she was just about showing although personally I never noticed this.

It was sad to see the show finally end but by the last season there was definitely a clear difference between the quality of the show in the early years and the quality at the end. the new characters never matched the original characters and personally I don't think the 6th season should have been made and the show ended at the end of season 5. Overall it is a good send for the series.

Episode Pictures

Bruno: Y'know, when I first came here, I didn't know anything about relating to other people. My life was music. But everyone at this crazy school, y'know, the teachers and the other students demanded that I stop hiding behind my synthesizers and start dealing with them on a one-to-one basis. Well, this was fairly difficult at first, but once I started to open up... I went nuts. For the first time in my life, I had friends. The most amazing thing out of all this is that the more I came out of my shell, the more I grew as a musician. (stops, looks embarrassed) OK?

Jesse: So, it's been one year since you left. What do you think this school has meant to your life?

Holly: Oh, I have great memories of this place... the people... the dressing rooms! But actually, the first week here was an absolute disaster. I mean, I really didn't think I would make it. The criticism was just too much for me to handle, and I think I probably would have left school if my friends hadn't convinced me not to. But after that, I just started working on not taking things so seriously, y'know? I just used to torture myself over every little thing. It had to be perfect. And I think what this school taught me was that... just to enjoy your work. And I think that's important. Because if I'm enjoying myself, the audience will too.

Danny: Well Schwartz, I don't have to ask what you've been doing since you left the school.

Doris: Amatullo, just so there's no misunderstanding, I am married, and this is my nine week old daughter Jenny.

Danny: And who's the lucky guy?

Doris: His name is Bob Rhythm. (cut to Danny raising his eyebrows. Doris raises a hand) Forget it, I've heard all the jokes. He's the artistic director of the Kenly Players of Akron Ohio. We met during summer stock. Then we fell in love and... (looks at him and smiles)

Danny: And the rest is history. OK, so here's the big question. What has the School of the Arts meant to you? And Jenny? You're gonna have to let your mom speak for herself.

Doris: Well, this is the place where I discovered the real Doris Schwartz. Y'know, I was always acting as a kid, always playing roles, always trying to be what everybody wanted me to be. Then I came here, and everybody had so much confidence, and personality and I realized I didn't know who I was. Then after about four years, and the help of the people here, and the love, I started to get acquainted with myself. And you know something? I really like who I am. If I hadn't come here, I probably would never have known that.

Chris: First of all, I want to apologize for the other day. Everything I told you was a lie. I'm not a big shot. I'm just another struggling actor, like a thousand other guys in this town. Truth is, it's damn tough on the outside. No matter how much talent you've got, you're going to get rejected over and over again. But you can't give up. If you really love performing, you've gotta keep trying. Always give it your best shot. And you can't be afraid of rejection. All that rejection is part of being an actor. Not a lot of fun, but it beats selling encyclopedias!

Leroy: Thanks a lot... I'm glad you liked our work... I've decided that I'm not coming back to the School next year. I just want to devote all my time to my career as a performer. However, I do thank everyone here for their support. Honestly. Everyone. I have the greatest amount of respect for anyone who can stand up in front of a class and teach... because that's been the most difficult thing for me. And umm... I'm gonna miss working with all the kids here... everyone... I just feel that after six years I have my wings and I should fly away from this nest. Aah... I thank you Miss Grant, for being my friend... and my teacher. You've shown me the right way... and you always will. I hope you guys never forget me, cause I'll never forget you all... and... uh... I'll always love this school.