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American Dreams

  • TV Series
  • 2002–2005
  • TV-PG
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
3.4K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,355
339
American Dreams (2002)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Play trailer0:32
2 Videos
72 Photos
DramaFamilyHistoryMusicRomanceWar

In the 1960s, a family experiences life and the struggles of the era, accompanied by the well-known pop songs of the period.In the 1960s, a family experiences life and the struggles of the era, accompanied by the well-known pop songs of the period.In the 1960s, a family experiences life and the struggles of the era, accompanied by the well-known pop songs of the period.

  • Creators
    • Jonathan Prince
    • Josh Goldstein
  • Stars
    • Gail O'Grady
    • Tom Verica
    • Brittany Snow
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    3.4K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,355
    339
    • Creators
      • Jonathan Prince
      • Josh Goldstein
    • Stars
      • Gail O'Grady
      • Tom Verica
      • Brittany Snow
    • 86User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 10 wins & 27 nominations total

    Episodes61

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos2

    American Dreams: Season One
    Trailer 0:32
    American Dreams: Season One
    American Dreams: Season 1
    Trailer 0:31
    American Dreams: Season 1
    American Dreams: Season 1
    Trailer 0:31
    American Dreams: Season 1

    Photos72

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    + 66
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    Top Cast99+

    Edit
    Gail O'Grady
    Gail O'Grady
    • Helen Pryor
    • 2002–2005
    Tom Verica
    Tom Verica
    • Jack Pryor
    • 2002–2005
    Brittany Snow
    Brittany Snow
    • Meg Pryor
    • 2002–2005
    Will Estes
    Will Estes
    • JJ Pryor
    • 2002–2005
    Jonathan Adams
    Jonathan Adams
    • Henry Walker
    • 2002–2005
    Vanessa Lengies
    Vanessa Lengies
    • Roxanne Bojarski
    • 2002–2005
    Arlen Escarpeta
    Arlen Escarpeta
    • Sam Walker
    • 2002–2005
    Sarah Ramos
    Sarah Ramos
    • Patty Pryor
    • 2002–2005
    Ethan Dampf
    Ethan Dampf
    • Will Pryor
    • 2002–2005
    Diana Lozano
    • Bandstand Dancer
    • 2002–2005
    Rachel Boston
    Rachel Boston
    • Beth Mason
    • 2002–2005
    Paul D. Roberts
    Paul D. Roberts
    • Dick Clark…
    • 2002–2005
    Keith D. Robinson
    Keith D. Robinson
    • Nathan Walker
    • 2003–2005
    Matthew John Armstrong
    Matthew John Armstrong
    • Pete Pryor
    • 2002–2005
    Jamie Elman
    Jamie Elman
    • Luke Foley
    • 2002–2005
    Aysia Polk
    Aysia Polk
    • Angela Walker
    • 2002–2005
    Peter Spellos
    Peter Spellos
    • Gus
    • 2002–2005
    Davis Neves
    Davis Neves
    • Bandstand Dancer
    • 2002–2005
    • Creators
      • Jonathan Prince
      • Josh Goldstein
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews86

    7.73.4K
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    Featured reviews

    ksmith-45

    Great show. NBC should be ashamed.

    American Dreams is without a doubt the best and most complete show of this century. It was incredibly real. You couldn't help but get sucked into the lives of the Pryor family and feel their happiness and pain along with them. The writing was excellent, and the acting was superb. It was an excellent show. The events that took place were all things that people were really faced with in the 1960's. But unfortunately today people are just not capable of appreciating a quality program. People are more interested in watching people in swimsuits eating insects or marrying millionaires. What Paris Hilton's dog is wearing has become more important than morals and family values. These things could all be very easily acessed in American Dreams.

    However, due to the lack of moral character in this country, and the lack of moral responsibility at NBC, this show has left us too soon. Had American Dreams been on 10-15 years ago along with the likes of "The Wonder Years" or "The Cosby Show", I believe it would have made it at least ten seasons. NBC is obviously more interested in "reality" apparently than quality programming. So this year instead of snuggling up on the couch with your family and watching American Dreams, you can watch Martha Stewart (a convicted felon by the way) hire and fire people. That will be great for your family.
    TxMike

    There's a great reason to watch this show.

    I have to disagree strongly with one parsimonious reviewer who stated there was no reason to watch this show. There are at least two good reasons...

    First, if you were a teenager in the early 1960s, like I was, and looked forward to watching American Bandstand, this weekly TV series is a marvelous, nostalgic reminder of those times. Whether your memories were good or bad, this is the closest we will ever get to "being there" one more time. The film clips from the original Bandstand show add to the realism.

    Second, if you are too young to remember the 1960s, and are curious, the styles of dress, the dialog, the boy-girl infatuations, the racial tension, the religious conflicts over birth control, the "transistor radios" that everyone carried around, the round-screen black and white TVs, all those are very authentic in this TV series.

    "American Dreams" - overall a very fine show, one we've dreamed about for years!
    JAG_MASH_NUT

    The American Dream lives on again.

    I am a 14 year old living in a world where the American Dream is all about the times. The latest fashion, the newest music. My parents were in their early teens during the 60's, living in a world with Vietnam, and the industries. My mom was the oldest of 5 daughters living on the farm. My dad, the youngest of 2 boys living in a military family in the city. But there is one thing that they both could relate to. The American Dream.

    American Dreams brings back that dream with such amazing reality. My parents remember American Bandstand and the artists that performed there. They remember the events happening in the world, and remember what it was like to live during that time. It's like a part of my parent's history, is being brought into my home for me to share with them. I get to understand what their lives were like, and get to know them a little bit better. This show is extremely well written and I will watch this show until it is taken off the air. I watch it with my father, as our Sunday night tradition, milkshake in hand. Sharing memories with my father on these Sunday nights, will become a memory that I will share with my children in the future. A show for the generations to share, American Dreams is helping my parents re-live memories, and helping me form my own.
    8tammyaphillips

    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.
    patriot217

    Great Show

    This is a great show. It is about a hard-working American family during Vietnam. It is also interesting because there are many other conflicts within the plot. Very well done AS A RESPONSE TO THE FIRST POST For number 1 I can't stand it when people bad mouth the USA the MAIN THING is that you aren't even American. So shut your trap. My father was in Vietnam and fought for this country. and when our vets. came home they were treated like..well never mind. Yes, America is proud of what it does right or wrong. we have to stay together and support our country. Just because I dislike our president doesn't mean i dislike my country.USA

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    Related interests

    Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, André Holland, Herman Caheej McGloun, Edson Jean, Alex R. Hibbert, and Tanisha Cidel in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family
    Liam Neeson in Schindler's List (1993)
    History
    Prince and Apollonia Kotero in Purple Rain (1984)
    Music
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance
    Band of Brothers (2001)
    War

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Current music artists appear in almost every episode as popular singers from the 1960s.
    • Goofs
      Telephones did not use modular plugs during the time frame of the series.
    • 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 stand by and let you piss away that chance. I just won't.

      JJ Pryor: Maybe it's not up to you.

    • Connections
      Featured in NBC Fall Preview Show (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      Generation
      Written by Emerson Hart

      Performed by Emerson Hart

      Courtesy of Universal Records

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    FAQ19

    • How many seasons does American Dreams have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 29, 2002 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Our Generation
    • Filming locations
      • Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios - 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Dick Clark Productions
      • NBC Studios
      • NBC Universal Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h(60 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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