American Dreams (2002–2005)

Set to the soundtrack of the '60s, a Philadelphia family moves toward the cultural upheaval in the years ahead. The Pryors' teen daughter Meg tries to shed her "good girl" image by hanging ... See full summary »

Creator:

Jonathan Prince

Stars:

Gail O'Grady, Tom Verica, Brittany Snow

Won 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 8 wins & 27 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Gail O'Grady	...	Helen Pryor (61 episodes, 2002-2005)
Tom Verica	...	Jack Pryor (61 episodes, 2002-2005)
Brittany Snow	...	Meg Pryor (61 episodes, 2002-2005)
Will Estes	...	JJ Pryor (61 episodes, 2002-2005)
Sarah Ramos	...	Patty Pryor (61 episodes, 2002-2005)
Ethan Dampf	...	Will Pryor (61 episodes, 2002-2005)
Vanessa Lengies	...	Roxanne Bojarski (61 episodes, 2002-2005)
Jonathan Adams	...	Henry Walker (61 episodes, 2002-2005)
Arlen Escarpeta	...	Sam Walker (61 episodes, 2002-2005)
Rachel Boston	...	Beth Mason (50 episodes, 2002-2005)
Paul D. Roberts	...	Dick Clark (44 episodes, 2002-2005)
Keith Robinson	...	Nathan Walker (30 episodes, 2003-2005)
Matthew John Armstrong	...	Pete Pryor (27 episodes, 2002-2005)
Jamie Elman	...	Luke Foley (26 episodes, 2002-2005)

Storyline

Set to the soundtrack of the '60s, a Philadelphia family moves toward the cultural upheaval in the years ahead. The Pryors' teen daughter Meg tries to shed her "good girl" image by hanging with her worldly friend Roxanne and pursuing a dream of being an "American Bandstand" dancer. Meg's emerging personality, and the changes her mother's going through, don't sit well with Meg's father

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Plot Keywords:

1960s | generation gap | father son relationship | mother daughter relationship | nostalgic | 

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Taglines:

One family's journey through the times that changed our nation.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 September 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bandstand

Filming Locations:

Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios - 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dick Clark Productions, NBC Studios, NBC Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The series takes place from November 1963 to July 1966.

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Goofs

Telephones did not use modular plugs during the time frame of the series.

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Quotes

JJ Pryor: Kennedy says it's time for new dreams, and new frontiers, not just the ones of our fathers.
Jack Pryor: President Kennedy who both went to college...
JJ Pryor: I know!
Jack Pryor: ...and loves football.
JJ Pryor: I know!
Jack Pryor: And you are going to...
JJ Pryor: No I'm not!
Jack Pryor: Will you let me finish a damn sentence? JJ, you have a chance to be something great. A tailback, an astronaut, or whatever the hell, but great! Now I know going to Notre Dame won't guarantee you anything, but it'll give you the best chance anyone could ask for. And I'm not going to ...
[...]

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Soundtracks

"Wishin' And Hopin'"
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
Performed by Vanessa Carlton
Courtesy of A&M Records

User Reviews

This show is the best

I found that out of all of the shows on television right on, American Dreams is one of the best. It is a very good idea that young kids now a days watch and see what was happening during a time when the country was "out of control". I really enjoy the show. I love everything about it. The music, the plot and must of all the characters. Yo feel as though the character can be someone you know. The problems and the feels that they show are what teenagers and their families actually went through. Every week i sit in front of the t.v. and no one is allowed to speak to me. The music brings such peace.

The show is the best!!!!!