Customer Reviews

American Dreams - Season One (Extended Music Edition)

5 star:		(107)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"American Dreams" is a show that could have been on the air during the very timeframe in which it was set. In it's entirely too short three season run, it was a standout, simply because it was well written, wonderfully acted, and just plain entertaining - something to which the millions of reality shows and "Law and Order" clones cluttering the airwaves couldn't begin to compare. "American Dreams" captured both the lingering innocence and the burgeoning counter culture of the 60's. Kids spent their time listening to records and watching "American Bandstand", but surreptitiously attended war protests on college campuses. Dads earned a living and handed down advice and discipline while moms cooked balanced meals, but after the children were in bed, they discussed such taboo subjects as women's rights, race relations, and birth control. All of these subjects were addressed intelligently and realistically, but the writers never failed to add humor to the scripts as well.

Much of the show was from the viewpoint of Meg Pryor (played by the wonderful Brittany Snow). We first meet Meg as a sweet 15 year old who realizes her lifelong dream of becoming a dancer on "American Bandstand". The two hour pilot episode finds Meg and her wild child best friend Roxanne scheming to be pulled from the daily lineup of hopeful dancers outside the Philadelphia television studio where "Bandstand" is filmed, for a guest appearance on the show. It takes some conniving on the part of the always hilariously outrageous Roxanne, but one day the impossible happens, and both girls make it onto the show. Meg doesn't believe it could possibly get any better - until she catches the eye of one of the show's producers, who offers her a regular spot. Her ecstasy is short lived when she finds out that not only was Roxanne was not asked to be a regular, but her father will not allow her to be on the show. Meg's determination finally wins her father's permission, but her guilt over Roxanne leads to her decision to quit. A resolution is reached when the producer is impressed by Meg's loyalty and invites Roxanne to be a regular as well, but the pilot ends on a somber note with the assassination of President Kennedy.

This episode is characteristic of the rest of the season (and Seasons 2 and 3 as well). "American Bandstand" features prominently in the series as we follow Meg and Roxanne's daily adventures as dancers and minor celebrities. One of the highlights of the series was the outstanding performances of many 21st century bands playing 60's acts such as Jay and The Americans and The Kinks. However, it also tackles heavier issues, such as the Vietnam War (a major focus of Season 2, which follows the active duty of Meg's brother J.J.) and racism. Many storylines feature Henry, a black employee of Meg's father's appliance store, and his son Sam, with whom Meg forms a close friendship despite disapproval from both families and society in general. Over the course of the three seasons, Meg develops from a starry eyed "good girl" to an intelligent, socially conscious young woman, who challenges the gender roles set for her and always follows the path that she knows is right. But the show never forgot how to have fun as well.

"American Dreams" was one of the finest television shows ever produced. Thumbs down to NBC for not recognizing what they had. If only they'd given it a fighting chance (putting it in a decent time slot and allowing the episodes to be re-run in the off season), it would have been remembered as a legend years from now!

Best show currently on television. The acting, the direction, music, editing is all spot on. It is amazing I don't know more people who watch the show. I look forward to tuning into this show every sunday night. I don't think I have missed a single episode. I can't wait to own this and also to see how season 2 ends. Dynamite!

In response to the last review, this DVD is going to contain all of the first season episodes. This set is not just the music. It is called the Extended Music Edition because there will be extended scenes with the guest stars that sing on Bandstand.

I have watched this show faithfully since its birth, and I have got to tell you that I love this show. I am not even a baby boomer, but a Gen Xer born in the mid-late 1970s. This show is refreshing to the "REALITY" television that network television likes to air. Although the times seemed simple in 1963-64, you can definately parelle 2002-03. The one thing this show shows is that struggle happens through the ages. Sadly, I fear that after the 2004-05 season, American Dreams will be just that, a dream. I hope that those of you who have never viewed American Dreams will find it something to watch in its third season. You will like how they take singers and groups from today and have them play singers and groups of the 1960s. This show is one that parents and children can watch together, and for an hour on Sunday nights, we can all be a family.

This series is one of many that was canceled before its time. It was one of the few family dramas left on the air, and in addition to that, it was one of the most original shows to ever grace tv screens. To show an American family set in the 1960's on present day tv was an awesome concept. The actors are top notch, and the show never quite received the popularity that it should have, considering that this show was one of the few left on tv that had substance. A lot of problems that were prominent in 1960's culture were depicted very convincingly. The show was heartwarming, original, and had a good blend of drama and comedy. It will truly be missed. Let's hope that seasons 2 and 3 come out soon (and that NBC allows the extended series finale to finally be shown on the dvd.)

NBC doesn't know how they are damaging themselves by not putting American Dreams back on the air this year (2005-2006). I waited all summer to see the season premere and now they aren't showing it! I can't speak for anyone else, but this was my absolute favorite show, and I am sad to see that it's gone! Also, NBC needs to release seasons 2 and 3 on DVD so I, and everyone else, can enjoy at least those seasons. This is the best boxed set I've ever invested in.

In this era of reality trash tv it's so refreshing to find a show you can watch with your whole family. My two daughters and my husband all enjoy the show equally. The entire cast captures wonderfully the hopes, dreams, fears, and confusion of the 1960's in such a wonderful style I find myself crying or laughing with them. Jack and Helen embody the typical 1960's parents, wanting to give their children more and let them grow, yet not wanting to let them go for fear of the confusion of the future. Jack wants to secure his future but finds the changing times a bit overwhelming. Helen feels lost in the shuffle and wants more as a wife, mother and woman in general. JJ's angst over his on again, off again romance with Beth, Meg's budding feminism and rebellion, Patty's confusion over puberty and her newfound interest in boys and Will,adorable as a little boy with polio just wanting to fit in, all embody the family of the time. The appearance of today's performers as 1960's singers is nice but I personally prefer the clips of the original performers. Not since Crime Story (my favorite show of the 1980's era TV) has a show so well captured the time. I really hope more people will watch and keep this wonderful show alive.

From the first promo I saw for "American Dreams" in the summer of 2002, I knew I would love this show and I was right!

This is such a great show for the entire family. It surprises me that it doesn't do better in the ratings than it does.

I was born in the late 60's, so I can kind of relate to how the Pryor's family life plays out ... having only one television set (and only having 3 channels to choose from), one telephone, buying and listening to 45's (for those younger ones of you out there, these are the single records) on a tabletop record player, penny candy that actually cost a penny, Coca-Cola in glass bottles, getting into movies for 50 cents, having a sit down dinner with your family most every night (exceptions were Friday & Saturday nights) of the week ... especially Sunday and so many other things. I love this show, because it reminds me so much of being a child in the late 60's in early 70's.

If you haven't ever watched "American Dreams", I suggest you buy the DVD for Season 1, catch up on Season 2 by reading episode synopsises at nbc.com and start watching Season 3 at 8 p.m. on Sunday night starting September 26th!

This show is fantastic! I watched it when it was on NBC and now I've purchased Season one. Why on earth did the dimwits at nbc take it off the air? Also, does anyone know if Seasons 2 and 3 will be made available?

I don't know about the rest of the Fans of American Dreams but I'm tired of waiting for Seasons 2 and 3 to come out on DVD, so I e-mailed NBC today to complain. If more of us go directly to the Source then they might listen. No sense complaining here because NBC doesn't read these reviews. COMPLAIN TO NBC at NBC.com and let them know that we do want to see seasons 2 and 3 come out on DVD.