American Dreams: Season 1

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Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

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Season Details & Credits

NBC | Season Premiere Date: September 29, 2002

Starring: Tom Verica, Gail O'Grady, Will Estes

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

Season 1 Episodes

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S1:E25. City on Fire
Air Date: May 18, 2003
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S1:E24. High Hopes
Air Date: May 11, 2003
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S1:E23. Down the Shore
Air Date: May 4, 2003

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Critic Reviews

Glenn Garvin

Mar 28, 2022

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

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

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

Phil Gallo

Mar 25, 2022

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

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

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

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

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Seasons & Episodes

68

Series Overview
Season 3

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- Season 3 Overview
  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
- tbd
  S1:E25. City on Fire
  Air Date: May 18, 2003
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  S1:E24. High Hopes
  Air Date: May 11, 2003
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  S1:E23. Down the Shore
  Air Date: May 4, 2003
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  S1:E22. Secrets and Lies
  Air Date: April 27, 2003
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  S1:E21. Fear Itself
  Air Date: April 13, 2003
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  S1:E20. The Carpetbaggers
  Air Date: April 6, 2003
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  S1:E19. Where the Boys Are
  Air Date: March 30, 2003
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  S1:E18. The One
  Air Date: March 16, 2003
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  S1:E17. Past Imperfect
  Air Date: March 9, 2003
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  S1:E16. Act of Contrition
  Air Date: March 2, 2003
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  S1:E15. False Start
  Air Date: February 16, 2003
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  S1:E14. Heartache
  Air Date: February 9, 2003
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  S1:E13. The Pursuit of Happiness
  Air Date: February 2, 2003
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  S1:E12. Great Expectations
  Air Date: January 12, 2003
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  S1:E11. I Wanna Hold Your Hand
  Air Date: January 5, 2003
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  S1:E10. Silent Night
  Air Date: December 15, 2002
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  S1:E9. The Home Front
  Air Date: December 1, 2002
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  S1:E8. Black and White
  Air Date: November 17, 2002
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  S1:E7. Cold Snap
  Air Date: November 10, 2002
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  S1:E6. Soldier Boy
  Air Date: November 3, 2002
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  S1:E5. The Fighting Irish
  Air Date: October 27, 2002
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  S1:E4. Pryor Knowledge
  Air Date: October 20, 2002
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  S1:E3. New Frontier
  Air Date: October 13, 2002
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  S1:E2. The End of the Innocence
  Air Date: October 6, 2002
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  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: September 29, 2002