"American Dreams" (2002) TV series 2002-2005

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Creator:

Jonathan Prince

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | unknown

Release Date:

29 September 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

A time when the American Dream was alive. And one family was living that Dream.

Plot:

Set to the soundtrack of the '60s, a Philadelphia family moves toward the cultural upheaval in the years ahead...

Plot Keywords:

Philadelphia | 1960s | Family Relationships | Based On Historical Events | Vietnam Era

Awards:

Won 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 8 wins & 27 nominations

Cast

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)

Also Known As:

"Our Generation" (Australia) (USA) (working title)
"Bandstand" (USA) (working title)
"Miss American Pie" (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG | USA:TV-PG | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Dick Clark Productions

Trivia:

Current music artists appear in almost every episode as popular singers from the 1960s.

Goofs:

Continuity: Often during scenes in the American Bandstand studio, what you see being filmed on the cameras does not always match what is happening on the stage (obviously because the cameras are showing clips of the original American Bandstand whereas the stage has actors attempting the recreate it).

Quotes:

Chris Pierce: The only thing I'm gonna miss about Philadelphia is you. I love you, Meg.
Meg Pryor: I love you too.
[they kiss]

Soundtrack:

Gone Gone Gone

What a lovely show

I am a fan of character development, great acting and history. This lovely show has all three. My favorite character is Jack because he represents the people who think they have life figured out. But, life keeps changing; he is classy enough to change with it. And Meg is so much like him and he does not realize it.

The American Bandstand angle is a pleasant way to remind us of a simplier time in the music world. The show faces hard issues like racism, police brutality, Viet Nam, polio, politics, homosexuality, the riot, life changes and pregnancy outside of marriage realistically. These issues are a part of life and I appreciate the "non over-the-top" way they have been handled.

You can even watch this with your family and not cringe because of cursing and explicit sexual encounters. This is a fine way to spend one hour on Sunday evenings.