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Season 1 – American Dreams

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – American Dreams Sep 2002 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
71% Tomatometer 28 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Meg is a Philadelphia teen in the 1960s who dances on Dick Clark's locally produced "American Bandstand." As she becomes an adult, Meg finds herself grappling with serious issues as her friends and family are affected by the war in Vietnam, racism, feminism, and even teen marriage and pregnancy.
American Dreams — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Although it's less convincing as an authentic depiction of the 1960s, American Dreams mines addictive drama from a family in flux and announces the effervescent Brittany Snow as a star on the rise.

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Critics Reviews

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Gail Pennington St. Louis Post-Dispatch 08/24/2022
B-
The pilot is overly grim and surprisingly abrasive, but the gimmick remains promising. Go to Full Review Bill Goodykoontz Arizona Republic 02/10/2021
If this ensemble drama about a family in the early '60s didn't try to be all things to all people, it would work a lot better. Still, enjoyable, particularly Brittany Snow as the teenage daughter who wants to dance on American Bandstand. Go to Full Review John Leonard New York Magazine/Vulture 09/17/2019
Another pleasant surprise, introducing the immensely talented Brittany Snow... Great pop tunes and original black-and-white Dick Clark footage seamlessly included. Go to Full Review Scott D. Pierce Deseret News (Salt Lake City) 09/17/2019
A very promising drama indeed, with big plans that include carrying this family through the '60s... A bright, personable cast and good storytelling could make it happen. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
American Dreams — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Brittany Snow

Meg Pryor

Vanessa Lengies

Roxanne Bojarski

Gail O'Grady

Helen Pryor

Tom Verica

Jack Pryor

Will Estes

John "JJ" Pryor, Jr.

Ethan Dampf

Will Pryor

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 29, 2002 The Pilot Life for the Pryors in 1960s Philadelphia includes a daughter whose dream is to become a dancer on "American Bandstand.". Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 6, 2002 The End of the Innocence The family tries to return to its routine after the assassination of President Kennedy; Meg discovers Roxanne is not invited to dance on "American Bandstand"; Helen explores going back to school. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 13, 2002 New Frontier Jim welcomes an employee's teenage son into his home; Meg vies with a fellow dancer for Jimmy's affection. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 20, 2002 Pryor Knowledge Meg prepares for her first date with teen heartthrob Jimmy Riley; Jack and Helen spend an evening with radicals; JJ declines to accompany Beth to a college mixer. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 27, 2002 The Fighting Irish Heartthrob Jimmy Riley (Jesse Hutch) asks Meg to be his dance partner on "Bandstand"; JJ arranges to meet a Notre Dame recruiter over dinner. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 3, 2002 Soldier Boy A reunion of Jack's old unit rekindles memories of World War II; Meg invites a popular singer (Nick Carter) to a party she throws in her parents' absence. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 10, 2002 Cold Snap JJ looks on as football players pull a prank on Sam; a record store clerk urges Meg to listen to Bob Dylan's music; Roxanne asks Marvin Gaye (Usher) to sign his latest record. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 17, 2002 Black and White JJ discovers that some of his teammates have been offered money to throw the championship game; Helen goes out on the town with classmate Rebecca. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 1, 2002 The Home Front Meg braves the streets of North Philadelphia to hear Luke play with a church choir; JJ sneaks out of the house for a late-night rendezvous with an older woman; Helen protests when Jack disciplines the children using different standards. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 15, 2002 Silent Night Meg and Jimmy (Jesse Hutch) kiss under the mistletoe on "American Bandstand"; Dionne Warwick (Ashanti) sings "Walk On By"; Henry hopes for a raise during the holiday rush. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 5, 2003 I Wanna Hold Your Hand Jack asks his older brother (Christopher Cousins) for financial help after the University of Notre Dame denies JJ a full scholarship; Beatles mania grips the Pryor household. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 12, 2003 Great Expectations Helen invites Meg to attend a college lecture; Jack discovers his youngest son is a bully; Henry welcomes a troubled nephew (Keith Robinson) into his home. Details Episode 13 Aired Feb 2, 2003 The Pursuit of Happiness JJ's fling could cost him his relationship with Beth; Meg and Sam save money by sharing records; Jack's new employee, Nathan, does not return from a delivery; Helen baby-sits for her professor. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 9, 2003 Heartache Meg tries to convince Luke of the importance of St. Valentine's Day; Jack seeks a second medical opinion; JJ asks Beth for forgiveness. Details Episode 15 Aired Feb 16, 2003 False Start JJ and Sam compete to see who will race one of the fastest runners in the city; Meg and Luke seek to understand their failed relationship with the help of friends. Details Episode 16 Aired Mar 2, 2003 Act of Contrition Helen helps a classmate recover from a miscarriage but is taken aback when she learns the truth behind the woman's loss. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 9, 2003 Past Imperfect Jack and his brothers visit their father's grave; the doctor gives JJ disturbing news regarding his broken leg; Meg impresses the producer; Helen and her professor help to register voters; Sam joins his cousin at a rally. Details Episode 18 Aired Mar 16, 2003 The One Meg struggles with her feelings for Luke as she signs autographs at the Vinyl Crocodile; Jack excludes Henry while exploring the possibility of opening another store; Jackie Wilson (Wayne Brady) performs on "American Bandstand." Details Episode 19 Aired Mar 30, 2003 Where the Boys Are Connie Francis and Bobby Darin perform on "American Bandstand"; Jack and the guys spend a rainy day playing poker; Helen's professor gives her a ride home. Details Episode 20 Aired Apr 6, 2003 The Carpetbaggers Meg tries to broaden her sex appeal when her romance with Luke heats up; JJ rekindles his romance with Colleen. Details Episode 21 Aired Apr 13, 2003 Fear Itself Meg and Roxanne hold an after-hours gathering and accidentally damage the "Bandstand" set; Will worries about the upcoming Soapbox Derby. Details Episode 22 Aired Apr 27, 2003 Secrets and Lies After spending the night with a new friend, Meg lies to Roxanne to protect her feelings; JJ skips the prom to spend a romantic evening with Colleen. Details Episode 23 Aired May 4, 2003 Down the Shore Meg searches for a way to apologize to Roxanne; Helen finally tells Jack about kissing professor Witt; Henry tries to make the best of a hot day and lands in jail. Details Episode 24 Aired May 11, 2003 High Hopes JJ leaves for college to begin training for the upcoming football season; Luke teaches Meg how to drive; police hassle Sam and Nathan during a North Philadelphia curfew. Details Episode 25 Aired May 18, 2003 City on Fire When Meg visits Sam at the new store, she gets caught up in a riot sparked by racial tensions; JJ makes a surprise announcement to his parents about his future. Details

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American Dreams — Season 1

American Dreams American Dreams American Dreams American Dreams View more photos

Season Info

Executive Producer
Dick Clark, Jonathan Prince
Network
NBC
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 29, 2002