American Dreams

Name: American Dreams
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Released: September 29, 2002
Rating: 68
Cast: Tom Verica, Gail O'Grady, Will Estes, Brittany Snow, Vanessa Lengies

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

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Series Details & Credits

NBC | Release Date: September 29, 2002

Starring: Tom Verica, Gail O'Grady, Will Estes, Brittany Snow, Vanessa Lengies, Keith Robinson, Jonathan Adams, Arlen Escarpeta, Virginia Madsen, Ethan Dampf, Sarah Ramos, Rachel Boston

Summary: This evocative drama, which won two Emmy Awards, is set against the memorable music, the cultural clashes, and the Vietnam war during the 1960s. The third-year drama depicts the American landscape -- as seen through the youthful Pryor family of Philadelphia as they brace for the cultural turbulence ahead that still resonates in thisThis evocative drama, which won two Emmy Awards, is set against the memorable music, the cultural clashes, and the Vietnam war during the 1960s. The third-year drama depicts the American landscape -- as seen through the youthful Pryor family of Philadelphia as they brace for the cultural turbulence ahead that still resonates in this contemporary era. Seventeen-year-old Meg Pryor (Brittany Snow, “Guiding Light”) is shedding her “good girl” image as she and her outspoken best friend Roxanne (Vanessa Lengies, “Popular Mechanics for Kids”) continue to pursue their dreams of making a difference as they struggle through the transition from teenager to adult. While they continue to dance on Dick Clark’s locally produced “American Bandstand,” they find -- as seniors at East Catholic High School -- that the world around them is growing ever closer with issues of the war, racism, feminism, and even teen marriage and pregnancy. At the same time, Meg’s mother Helen (three-time Emmy nominee Gail O’Grady, “NYPD Blue”) continues to face the challenge of the era’s modern woman, working and holding the family together. The family’s patriarch, Jack Pryor (Tom Verica, “Providence”), braces himself for the sociological and economic changes as he prepares to run for city councilman, and JJ (Will Estes, “7th Heaven”), a U.S. Marine fighting in Vietnam, struggles to find his way home to his family and his ex-fiancee, Beth Mason (Rachel Boston, “The Andy Dick Show”), who is pregnant with their child. In addition, adolescent Will (Ethan Dampf, “Collateral Damage”) tries to fit in at school after successful polio surgery, and smarty-pants Patty (Sarah Ramos) tries to find a balance between her brilliant mind and social acceptance among her high school peers. African-American father Henry Walker (Jonathan Adams, “The American Embassy”) remains hopeful that his partnership in Jack Pryor’s electronics store is a sign of positive social changes to come. However, the politics of the time continue to show him that the needs of the black community are not being met. Meanwhile, his son Sam (Arlen Escarpeta, “The Shield”) has mixed feelings concerning the evolving events as he starts his freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania on a track scholarship which forces him on a path of self-discovery. The drama embraced contemporary musicians as guest stars who portray classic 1960s icons on “American Bandstand.” Last season’s guest stars include Kelly Clarkson (as Brenda Lee), Nick Lachey (as Tom Jones), Alicia Keys (as Fontella Bass), and Hilary and Haylie Duff (as The Shangri-Las).… Expand

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama

Recent Episodes

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S3:E17. It's My Life
Air Date: March 30, 2005
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S3:E16. No Satisfaction
Air Date: March 23, 2005
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S3:E15. California Dreamin'
Air Date: March 16, 2005

See all Seasons and Episodes

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Critic Reviews

Glenn Garvin

Mar 28, 2022

Season 1 Review: This look back at the America of 1963 breathtakingly captures the dying roars of an old culture and the triumphant cries of the new one. It may be the closest thing to time travel we'll ever experience. [29 Sep 2002, p.M8]

Staff (Not Credited)

Mar 25, 2022

Season 1 Review: American Dreams, although set in the supposedly kindler, gentler days of 1963, manages not wrap itself in a “things were so much better then” haze. In so doing, it encourages viewers to think about the issues it tentatively raises, and to make connections between the lives it portrays and the lives we live now. Read full review

Rob Owen

Mar 25, 2022

Season 1 Review: The show looks slick, the attention to detail is painstaking and the music inspires toe tapping. Read full review

Phil Gallo

Mar 25, 2022

Season 1 Review: With the emotional tug of Wonder Years presented with the production values of The West Wing, Dreams should follow Wing, The Sopranos and 24 as stellar shows that live up to the promise of its pilot. Read full review

Scott D. Pierce

Mar 25, 2022

Season 1 Review: This is a drama about a family — the Pryors of Philadelphia — that's actually interesting for viewers' entire families. Read full review

Mark Dawidziak

Mar 28, 2022

Season 1 Review: American Dreams will need to change and develop if it has any hope of mimicking the success of American Bandstand. But tonight's opener has a nice beat and is easy to dance to. [29 Sep 2002, p.2]

John Doyle

Mar 25, 2022

Season 1 Review: An icky exercise in nostalgia, this series is set in Philadelphia in the early 1960's and is about the evolving problems and joys of a big Catholic family. Read full review

SEE ALL 20 REVIEWS

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Seasons & Episodes

68

Series Overview
Season 3

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- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: September 26, 2004
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  S3:E17. It's My Life
  Air Date: March 30, 2005
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  S3:E16. No Satisfaction
  Air Date: March 23, 2005
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  S3:E15. California Dreamin'
  Air Date: March 16, 2005
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  S3:E14. The Commencement
  Air Date: March 9, 2005
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  S3:E13. Starting Over
  Air Date: January 30, 2005
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  S3:E12. For Richer, For Poorer
  Air Date: January 23, 2005
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  S3:E11. Truth Be Told
  Air Date: January 9, 2005
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  S3:E10. Home Again
  Air Date: January 2, 2005
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  S3:E9. Tidings Of Comfort And Joy
  Air Date: November 21, 2004
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  S3:E8. One in a Million
  Air Date: November 14, 2004
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  S3:E7. What Dreams May Come
  Air Date: November 7, 2004
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  S3:E6. Clear and Present Danger
  Air Date: October 31, 2004
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  S3:E5. So Long, Farewell
  Air Date: October 24, 2004
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  S3:E4. Surround Me
  Air Date: October 17, 2004
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  S3:E3. Leaders of the Pack
  Air Date: October 10, 2004
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  S3:E2. Charade
  Air Date: October 3, 2004
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  S3:E1. Long Shots and Short Skirts
  Air Date: September 26, 2004
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 28, 2003
Season 1

68
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 29, 2002