American Dreams

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

Genre: Drama, Family, History

Cast:Gail O'Grady , Tom Verica , Brittany Snow , Jonathan Adams , Vanessa Lengies , Arlen Escarpeta , Sarah Ramos , Ethan Dampf , Will Estes , Rachel Boston , Paul D. Roberts , Keith D. Robinson , Matthew John Armstrong , Jamie Elman , Aysia Polk , Peter Spellos , Davis Neves , Rodney Scott

1Season 1

S1.E1 ∙ Pilot

Sun, Sep 29, 2002

Meg Pryor's lifelong dream is to dance on the iconic 1960s television series, Bandstand (1952), and along with her adventurous confidante, Roxanne Bojarski, the 15-year-old's persistence pays off when they find themselves on camera, dancing amongst a variety of teen idols. While his younger sister realizes her dreams, J.J. Pryor, questions his own childhood ambitions as he struggles to decide between striving for a Notre Dame football scholarship and making a life-altering change. Family patriarch Jack Pryor, concerned with his children's defiant behavior as well as with his wife Helen's influential new friends, watches his idealistic family buckle under the era's social challenges on the eve of the decade's watershed event.

2Season 1

S1.E2 ∙ The End of the Innocence

Sun, Oct 6, 2002

The Pryors try to deal with the Kennedy assassination. Meg deals with making the cut for Bandstand (1952) and Roxanne being jealous about it.

3Season 1

S1.E3 ∙ New Frontier

Sun, Oct 13, 2002

Sam deals with the negative reaction by East Catholic's track team. Helen has to make time for school and home. Meg handles Teresa McManus' jealousy and rumors about she and Jimmy Riley being more than dance partners on _"Bandstand" (1952)

4Season 1

S1.E4 ∙ Pryor Knowledge

Sun, Oct 20, 2002

Meg has her date with Jimmy Riley that includes going to the cinema and ends with Sam having to walk her home. J.J. gets two left feet as he takes Beth to a college mixer.

5Season 1

S1.E5 ∙ The Fighting Irish

Sun, Oct 27, 2002

J.J.'s wild night with Tommy DeFelice prevents him from meeting a Notre Dame recruiter and Jack is furious with him. Helen deals with the prospects of birth control and Meg has to accept that Jimmy only likes her as a friend.

6Season 1

S1.E6 ∙ Soldier Boy

Sun, Nov 3, 2002

Meg appears in the Bandstand (1952) magazine and uses her new fame to get Jay of Jay and the Americans for a party. Jack relives his World War II experiences with his old Navy buddies.

7Season 1

S1.E7 ∙ Cold Snap

Sun, Nov 10, 2002

Meg is angry to hear Luke, the new record shop employee, criticising the music that she is about to buy. Elsewhere, a sudden cancellation of his deal to supply a hotel with all of their new TVs, forces Jack to examine his family's financial outlook and question his own business philosophy. Sam, who is still adapting to life at East Catholic High school, deals with a prank that goes too far while J.J. looks on, unable or unwilling to intervene.

8Season 1

S1.E8 ∙ Black and White

Sun, Nov 17, 2002

While preparing for the city championships, J.J. discovers some of Philadelphia's police officers have offered his teammates money to throw the game (although Tommy denies it at first), forcing him to question their integrity, as well as that of his police officer uncle Pete, who stops by the house for a sudden strategy session. Meanwhile, Meg, who shows signs of affection for Luke, a record store clerk at the Vinyl Crocodile and Patty's new piano teacher, is upset with Roxanne's sudden interest in him.

9Season 1

S1.E9 ∙ The Home Front

Sun, Dec 1, 2002

As the Christmas season takes place, Meg decides to spend more time with Luke, venturing to the rough streets of North Philly (with Roxanne) to hear him play with a local Church choir. Meanwhile, J.J. catches the eye of a slightly older and more experienced country club employee and sneaks out of the house, just as Meg is sneaking in. Catching on to both of his older children's escapades, Jack implores a slightly uneven standard of discipline, by grounding Meg, but saying virtually nothing to J.J., upsetting the family's growing feminist Helen.

10Season 1

S1.E10 ∙ Silent Night

Sun, Dec 15, 2002

With Christmas a day away, Meg and her dance partner Jimmy Riley are voted one of Bandstand (1952)'s favourite couples landing them a date under the mistletoe for their first kiss, which hurts her budding relationship with Luke. Meanwhile, J.J. receives an early Christmas present with his acceptance into the University of Notre Dame, which prompts him to reconsider his break-up with longtime girlfriend, Beth. Elsewhere, Jack's military expertise is called upon when a local boy serving in Vietnam goes missing and Henry looks for a raise during the store's holiday rush.

11Season 1

S1.E11 ∙ I Wanna Hold Your Hand

Sun, Jan 5, 2003

Beatlemania has taken over the Pryor house, as well as the rest of the country. JJ gets word that, although he was accepted into Notre Dame, he was denied the football scholarship. Jack seeks financial help from his distant older brother Pete, despite Helen's concerns. Meanwhile, Meg tries to classify her relationship with Luke by taking him on Bandstand.

12Season 1

S1.E12 ∙ Great Expectations

Sun, Jan 12, 2003

Meg gets two Cs on her report card and Helen, more concerned about it than Jack is, thinks it would be a good idea for Meg to accompany her to her Temple class. Meg dislikes the idea, but not as much as she dislikes the fact that Luke agrees with her mother. Roxanne is also at odds with her mother, so she stays with the Pryors. Meanwhile, Beth notices J.J. talking to Colleen and Jack hires Henry's nephew, Nathan; and it seems that there's a bullying problem in Will's third-grade class.

13Season 1

S1.E13 ∙ The Pursuit of Happiness

Mon, Feb 3, 2003

In the aftermath of his confession to Beth, J.J. struggles to put their relationship back together again, but quickly realizes that it might be too little too late. Elsewhere, Meg strikes up a musical friendship with Sam as they decide to save money by sharing records - causing problems with J.J. who quickly reminds his sister about the trouble that she faced after her previous interactions with Sam.

14Season 1

S1.E14 ∙ Heartache

Sun, Feb 9, 2003

Preparing for the East Catholic High School Valentine's Day dance, Meg tries to convince her boyfriend Luke of the importance of the holiday, while Roxanne waits for a brave boy to ask her to the dance. Meanwhile, a health scare sends Jack to the hospital and J.J. searches for forgiveness from Beth. Elsewhere, Patty braces for her own Valentine's Day festivities as she makes arrangements for her first coed party.

15Season 1

S1.E15 ∙ False Start

Sun, Feb 16, 2003

In the first track meet of the season, J.J. and Sam square off to determine who will race one of the fastest runners in the city, creating a newfound relationship between this unlikely pair. Meanwhile, after their break-up, Meg and Luke try to figure out exactly what to call their relationship with the help of their confidants Roxanne and record store owner Mr. Greenwood. Elsewhere, Helen's classmates lead her to believe that Professor Witt has a crush on her.

16Season 1

S1.E16 ∙ Act of Contrition

Sun, Mar 2, 2003

Helping a classmate recover after the sudden loss of her unborn child, Helen is caught off-guard when she learns the truth behind the woman's loss, forcing her to wrestle with her own feelings. Elsewhere, Henry is prompted by Nathan's comments about his future as he presents Jack with a new business endeavor. Meanwhile, Meg helps a friend in love when she agrees to question Bandstand (1952) producer Michael Brooks about his feelings for Roxanne. A competitive J.J. attempts to step up track abilities in order to catch his new rival Sam.

17Season 1

S1.E17 ∙ Past Imperfect

Sun, Mar 9, 2003

Celebrating a Pryor family tradition, Jack and Uncle Pete make their annual trip to the cemetery to tend to their father's grave, only to be joined by an unexpected visitor: their elder brother Ted. After impressing him with her musical knowledge, Bandstand (1952) producer Michael Brooks asks Meg to help him put together an upcoming special. However, when she is drafted as part of the cemetery expedition, Meg asks Roxanne to fill in, offering her best friend a chance to spend time with her latest crush.

18Season 1

S1.E18 ∙ The One

Sun, Mar 16, 2003

Making an appearance to sign autographs at the Vinyl Crocodile, Meg struggles with her lingering feelings for her ex-boyfriend Luke and her rekindled interest in Bandstand (1952) partner Jimmy Riley. Meanwhile, Jack moves forward with Henry's suggestion as he investigates the possibility of opening a second store. Prompted by interest from his brother Ted, he decides to make this a family venture enlisting the help of younger brother Pete, thus leaving Henry out of the deal. Elsewhere, J.J. pushes Sam to forget about his accident and run his best for the rest of the year.

19Season 1

S1.E19 ∙ Where the Boys Are

Sun, Mar 30, 2003

In the midst of a special memory lane Bandstand (1952), Meg copes with a hostile Bobby Darin, while attempting to help roving columnist Roxanne land an interview with the hit singer. In the midst of the chaos, Jimmy Riley surprises his dance partner when he shares the big news that he joined the marines. Elsewhere, Jack, Henry, Nathan and Pete spend a rainy day playing an allegedly friendly game of poker. Helen receives a friendly ride home from her professor while J.J. spends a rainy afternoon drowning his sorrows in beer.

20Season 1

S1.E20 ∙ The Carpetbaggers

Sun, Apr 6, 2003

As Meg's recently rekindled romance with Luke begins to heat up, she grows concerned over his level of "experience" in matters of love. Prompted by some sagely wisdom from Roxanne, she attempts to broaden her sex appeal with shocking results. Elsewhere, Jack decides to rethink Nathan's employment status after learning of Helen's brush with danger, and his involvement in her defense during the recent voter registration drive. Meanwhile, J.J. reignites his romance with Colleen as he prepares to celebrate his 18th birthday and Helen agonizes over her own secret from that fateful day with Professor Witt.

21Season 1

S1.E21 ∙ Fear Itself

Sun, Apr 13, 2003

Meg and Roxanne are chosen for East Catholic's Prom Committee. Their assignment: get "cool" seniors onto the Bandstand (1952) set so they can take candid photos known as "senior snaps." Success, Roxanne gushes, will make them "the coolest sophomores in history." But they don't have permission from Bandstand (1952) to do it. Meanwhile, Will's Soap Box Derby is coming up, but he's afraid of the hills, and J.J.'s afraid of testing his newly healed leg; Patty has joined the Robins, and is very competitive about earning badges. Jack hires Sam to do a job at the Girard Avenue store.

22Season 1

S1.E22 ∙ Secrets and Lies

Sun, Apr 27, 2003

J.J.'s senior prom is coming up but he's not going because Colleen has made him another offer. Then he hears from Beth. In other prom-related doings, Meg's new friend Carol invites her - but not Roxanne - to a pre-prom sleep-over at her house. Meanwhile, Patty's afraid that no one likes her (there's some reason for this: she has a reputation as being a "know-it-all"). Nathan puts Henry in another delicate situation at the Girard Avenue store. Jack runs into Professor Witt near the store and senses that there might be something between him and Helen.

23Season 1

S1.E23 ∙ Down the Shore

Sun, May 4, 2003

June 19, 1964: Jim Bunning's on the mound for the Phillies and the Pryors have just begun their annual Wildwood vacation. Roxanne isn't with them because she's still mad at a still-distressed Meg. However, her rich new friend Carol has invited her to her beach club at "the Crest." And Meg returns the favour, getting Carol and her friends into a Bandstand (1952) beach "hop" featuring the Kinks. Meanwhile, Helen finally tells Jack about Professor Witt's advance. Back in town, J.J.'s at home---with Beth while Henry's minding the North Philly store. The neighborhood is steaming and the city pool hasn't opened yet.

24Season 1

S1.E24 ∙ High Hopes

Sun, May 11, 2003

J.J., tender ankle and all, arrives at Lehigh to begin football practice. And Roxanne, who's still on the outs with Meg, meets someone she has been on the outs with for eight years: her father. Meanwhile, Meg gets her learner's permit and wants Luke to teach her to drive. The Girard Avenue store is about to open, but the timing could be better: riots in Harlem have prompted the Philadelphia police to consider a curfew for North Philly.

25Season 1

S1.E25 ∙ City on Fire

Sun, May 18, 2003

In the season finale, racial tensions begin to flare in North Philly sparking a massive riot, while an oblivious Meg makes final preparations for her sweet sixteen birthday party. Unaware of the violent situation building around her, Meg attempts to save her friendship with Sam, visiting him at the new store, and finds herself in the middle of the urban chaos. Elsewhere, an angry Nathan who helped incite the violence, urges the enraged rioters forward, while Pete and the rest of Philadelphia's finest race to quell the disturbance. Meanwhile, a defeated J.J. returns from Lehigh University after being kicked off the football team and makes a surprising announcement to Jack and Helen about his future.

1Season 2

S2.E1 ∙ And Promises to Keep

Sun, Sep 28, 2003

Meg begins to question her feelings for Sam as he defends a friend who is being bullied because of his race. Michael Brooks announces that he is leaving Bandstand (1952). Helen explores surgery for Will.

2Season 2

S2.E2 ∙ R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Sun, Oct 5, 2003

Jack has banned Meg from Bandstand (1952) after she helps Sam. Meg also struggles with her feelings for Sam. J.J. continues his boot camp training as Helen continues to explore surgery for Will.

3Season 2

S2.E3 ∙ Another Saturday Night

Sun, Oct 12, 2003

Helen heads to New York with Nancy, Pete's new girlfriend, and gets a new view on womanhood. Patty learns a harsh lesson on her first day of high school. Meg goes to her first college party as Sam discovers what Nathan does to earn money.

4Season 2

S2.E4 ∙ Crossing the Line

Sun, Oct 19, 2003

Helen realises the pressure of being a working mother at the travel agency. Beth visits J.J. at Camp Lejeune with interesting results. Meg does a book report on a banned book.

5Season 2

S2.E5 ∙ Life's Illusions

Sun, Oct 26, 2003

Meg attends a free speech rally with Drew at college. J.J. is tempted to cheat as Roxanne's relationship with Lenny is tested. Sam and his family face life without his mother, who dies of cancer.

6Season 2

S2.E6 ∙ Rescue Me

Sun, Nov 2, 2003

Lenny wants to take his relationship with Roxanne to another level. J.J. discovers his mystery woman, Diane, is the wife of one of his superiors. Jack wants Helen to quit her job when Will's surgery is paid through the March of Dimes.

7Season 2

S2.E7 ∙ Ticket to Ride

Sun, Nov 16, 2003

Roxanne reveals that she is leaving school to join Lenny on his tour. Meg and Drew's first date ends in failure. J.J. reveals to the family where he is stationed for the next six months. Henry seeks the money that is still due to his late wife.

8Season 2

S2.E8 ∙ Change a Comin'

Sun, Nov 23, 2003

Meg and Drew go on a double date to Lenny's concert as J.J. deals with Beth and Vietnam. Pete's drinking is pushing Nancy away. Sam takes an interest in Malcolm X.

9Season 2

S2.E9 ∙ The Long Goodbye

Sun, Nov 30, 2003

J.J. and Beth celebrate their engagement as their mothers fight about everything. JJ tells Meg what he really thinks about her relationship with Drew. Roxanne is starting to lose interest in the tour but not Lenny.

10Season 2

S2.E10 ∙ The 7-10 Split

Sun, Jan 4, 2004

Jack and Henry discover the store has been robbed. Sam fights with the choice between Yale and Howard University. J.J. meets Jimmy Riley, Meg's former dance partner on Bandstand (1952), in the hospital in Vietnam.

11Season 2

S2.E11 ∙ Beyond the Wire

Sun, Jan 11, 2004

When Drew comes over for dinner, Jack hates him. J.J. has his first gun fight in Vietnam and Patty seeks her first bra.

12Season 2

S2.E12 ∙ Real-to-Reel

Sun, Jan 18, 2004

J.J. befriends a Vietnamese family whose village was destroyed. The Pryors make a care package for J.J. along with an audio reel. Meg exposes Drew's secrets about cheating on her and breaks up with him. Henry is encouraged by Muslims to open his own store.

13Season 2

S2.E13 ∙ To Tell the Truth

Sun, Feb 15, 2004

Bandstand (1952) has a father-daughter dance and Meg has to ask Jack to attend. Patty's crush on Luke ends when she sees Roxanne and Luke kissing.

14Season 2

S2.E14 ∙ Old Enough to Fight

Sun, Feb 22, 2004

J.J. gets to see Nancy Sinatra perform in Vietnam to help deal with the death of an enemy soldier. Will gets a paper route. Henry's quest for a business hits a snag.

15Season 2

S2.E15 ∙ Shoot the Moon

Sun, Mar 7, 2004

Meg is upset to discover Roxanne and Luke are dating each other. Pete gets cold feet at his wedding. Sam and Angela dislike Henry's new girlfriend Annie.

16Season 2

S2.E16 ∙ Can't Hold On

Sun, Mar 14, 2004

Meg joins the WFIL newsroom and dislikes what she sees of the Vietnam War. Henry and Jack are at odds as equal partners of the store.

17Season 2

S2.E17 ∙ Chasing the Past

Sun, Mar 21, 2004

J.J. learns the fate of one of his friend Danny's brother as Patty crashes the family car. Beth reveals her pregnancy to her parents.

18Season 2

S2.E18 ∙ Stewart's Charge

Sun, Mar 28, 2004

Nathan is drafted and Sam seeks Meg's help in getting Drew to talk to him. Jack considers his political future. Beth decides her and her baby's future.

19Season 2

S2.E19 ∙ No Way Out

Sun, Apr 4, 2004

Sam and Meg get caught up in the anti-war movement and take a stand that changes their futures. J.J. and his squad get caught in a crossfire without backup.

1Season 3

S3.E1 ∙ Long Shots and Short Skirts

Sun, Sep 26, 2004

The Pryor and Walker families react to Meg and Sam having to go to court after being arrested. Meg's arrest becomes public knowledge and Jack's election is in trouble. Roxanne and Meg fight the school dress code. J.J. learns that the rest of his squad is dead.

2Season 3

S3.E2 ∙ Charade

Sun, Oct 3, 2004

The Pryors' new neighbors consist of Shelly Pierce, a former Playboy Bunny, and her son Chris. Meg uses the school play to protest the war. Sam gets recruited to play basketball at Penn and starts to date a girl named Melanie. Patty enters the Campbell Soup Essay contest.

3Season 3

S3.E3 ∙ Leaders of the Pack

Sun, Oct 10, 2004

Meg makes a deal with Chris to get him in the school play. Jack faces different groups as he fights for the city council election. Beth fears for J.J.'s life after meeting a woman with a newborn baby who lost her husband in Vietnam. Sam is feeling inferior when compared to Melanie's upscale friends.

4Season 3

S3.E4 ∙ Surround Me

Sun, Oct 17, 2004

Chris' bad influence is obvious in Meg's new behaviour. Jack is faced with the minority vote to counter dirty tactics.

5Season 3

S3.E5 ∙ So Long, Farewell

Sun, Oct 24, 2004

Father Cassidy discourages Meg's plans to add an anti-Vietnam aspect to the play. Melanie becomes increasingly jealous of Sam and Meg's friendship. Meg decides to do the play as she wrote it.

6Season 3

S3.E6 ∙ A Clear and Present Danger

Sun, Oct 31, 2004

Jack and Helen celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary by going out of town. Nathan begins to serve the rest of his jail time at a VA hospital and gains a respect for the veterans. J.J. and his squad are captured and must figure out a way to escape.

7Season 3

S3.E7 ∙ What Dreams May Come

Sun, Nov 7, 2004

Jack goes to Washington, D.C. to learn about J.J.'s fate and discovers Meg is there as well for an anti-war rally. Sam, ashamed of his family, goes to Melanie's Thanksgiving dinner alone.

8Season 3

S3.E8 ∙ One in a Million

Sun, Nov 14, 2004

During a citywide blackout, Beth gives birth to her son, unaware that J.J. is fighting to get back to the base as a Frenchman helps him.

9Season 3

S3.E9 ∙ Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Sun, Nov 21, 2004

Nathan is left a gift by a war veteran from the VA hospital. Sam finally invites Melanie to meet his family. The Pryors get an unexpected Christmas gift as J.J. comes home.

10Season 3

S3.E10 ∙ Home Again

Sun, Jan 2, 2005

J.J. is still haunted by the war and finally sets a date for his wedding with Beth. Pete thinks Chris started a fire at the recruitment center and Chris delivers an ultimatum to Meg.

11Season 3

S3.E11 ∙ Truth Be Told

Sun, Jan 9, 2005

Meg's special night with Chris is ruined in the morning. J.J. and Beth refuse to have a Catholic wedding as Helen wants. Henry starts a new project to impress his new girlfriend.

12Season 3

S3.E12 ∙ For Richer, for Poorer

Sun, Jan 23, 2005

J.J. learns that plans for his house are gone thanks to the war and learns that his mother is against the war. Chris leaves town and Meg.

13Season 3

S3.E13 ∙ Starting Over

Sun, Jan 30, 2005

It's the Senior Prom and Patty is invited, which she rubs in Meg's face. However, she is later upset when her date asks somebody else. Roxanne works to convince Luke to shave his beard off, while Meg prepares to face the prom on her own. J.J. comes to her rescue after having a fight with Beth, that begins when J.J. confesses his gamble that he lost. While at the prom, J.J. is offered a job at the high school. Meanwhile, Jack feels the pressure from his bribers and struggles to make a choice, which effects his family more than he knows.

14Season 3

S3.E14 ∙ Commencement

Wed, Mar 9, 2005

Meg is torn between her feelings for Sam and the fact that they can never be together. Patty wins the essay contest and no one believes her as it is listed under another name.

15Season 3

S3.E15 ∙ California Dreamin'

Wed, Mar 16, 2005

Meg and Roxanne go to Hollywood for a special Bandstand (1952) episode. While the girls are there, they meet Barbara Eden. J.J. goes for an interview with an engineering company in the hopes of following his dream of becoming an astronaut. Meanwhile, Sam realizes the he has more in common with Nathan's date than Nathan does. Pete and Shelley decide to have an "open relationship" where they can see each other and other people. Jack decides to tell a reporter his reasons for leaving the City Council.

16Season 3

S3.E16 ∙ No Satisfaction

Wed, Mar 23, 2005

With his brother Ted in the hospital, Jack faces a tough decision: whether or not to take him off life support. Meg and Roxanne are excited about the Rolling Stones concert but are surprised to find where their seats are. Patty wants to become cool after being teased by some students at summer school about being a nerd. She receives a makeover from Meg and Roxanne and goes on Bandstand (1952) but ultimately decides that she likes who she is.

17Season 3

S3.E17 ∙ It's My Life

Wed, Mar 30, 2005

When Chris returns, Meg finds out that he has been drafted and is going to Berkeley to avoid it. Meg must decide between being with Chris or being with her family but her decision is made even harder when Jack threatens to disown her if she leaves. Roxanne begins to cut hair at the Vinyl Crocodile much to Luke's dismay. J.J. begins to feel overwhelmed at work when he volunteers to help on a project. Nathan is given a second chance by Jack when he allows him to do deliveries again. Helen decides to accompany a mother to pick up her son's coffin.