American Dreams 2002
What is American Dreams?
American Dreams is an American drama television series that aired on NBC for three seasons and 61 episodes between September 29, 2002, and March 30, 2005. Created by Josh Goldstein and Jonathan Prince, the program follows the lives of the Pryor family living in Philadelphia during the mid-1960s.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 2002
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 61
- First aired
- Sep 29, 2002
- Last aired
- Mar 30, 2005
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- NBC
- Genres
- Drama, Family
- Updated
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 61 episodes and an average 45-minute runtime.
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Overview
American Dreams is an American drama television series that aired on NBC for three seasons and 61 episodes between September 29, 2002, and March 30, 2005. Created by Josh Goldstein and Jonathan Prince, the program follows the lives of the Pryor family living in Philadelphia during the mid-1960s. The narrative is set against the cultural upheaval of the era and features a soundtrack consisting of popular music from that decade. The story centers on the teenage daughter, Meg Pryor, played by Brittany Snow, who attempts to move away from her good girl image. Meg pursues her ambition of becoming a dancer on the television program American Bandstand, often spending time with her friend Roxanne. These personal changes, along with the evolving life of her mother, create tension within the household and do not sit well with her father. The cast includes Gail O'Grady, Tom Verica, and Will Estes, as the family navigates the various social and personal struggles characteristic of the period.
Should you watch it?
“A Philadelphia family navigates the cultural shifts of the 1960s alongside their daughter's pursuit of stardom.”
- incorporates iconic 1960s music
- explores generational conflict
- features traditional family dynamics
Watch it if you enjoy period dramas centered on family life and cultural change.
The series explores shifting social norms and family tension within a 1960s setting.
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Episode guide
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Season 1 · 25 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →- E1 Pilot Mytharc Sep 29, 2002
- E2 The End of the Innocence Core Oct 6, 2002
- E3 New Frontier Core Oct 13, 2002
- E4 Pryor Knowledge Core Oct 20, 2002
- E5 The Fighting Irish Core Oct 27, 2002
- E6 Soldier Boy Core Nov 3, 2002
- E7 Cold Snap Core Nov 10, 2002
- E8 Black and White Core Nov 17, 2002
- E9 The Home Front Core Dec 1, 2002
- E10 Silent Night Core Dec 15, 2002
- E11 I Wanna Hold Your Hand Core Jan 5, 2003
- E12 Great Expectations Core Jan 12, 2003
- E13 The Pursuit of Happiness Core Feb 2, 2003
- E14 Heartache Core Feb 9, 2003
- E15 False Start Core Feb 16, 2003
- E16 Act of Contrition Core Mar 2, 2003
- E17 Past Imperfect Core Mar 9, 2003
- E18 The One Core Mar 16, 2003
- E19 Where the Boys Are Core Mar 30, 2003
- E20 The Carpetbaggers Core Apr 6, 2003
- E21 Fear Itself Core Apr 13, 2003
- E22 Secrets and Lies Core Apr 27, 2003
- E23 Down the Shore Core May 4, 2003
- E24 High Hopes Mytharc May 11, 2003
- E25 City on Fire Mytharc May 18, 2003
Season 2 · 19 episodes
- E1 And Promises to Keep Mytharc Sep 28, 2003
- E2 R-E-S-P-E-C-T Core Oct 5, 2003
- E3 Another Saturday Night Core Oct 12, 2003
- E4 Crossing the Line Core Oct 19, 2003
- E5 Life's Illusions Core Oct 26, 2003
- E6 Rescue Me Core Nov 2, 2003
- E7 Ticket to Ride Core Nov 16, 2003
- E8 Change a Comin' Core Nov 23, 2003
- E9 The Long Goodbye Core Nov 30, 2003
- E10 The 7-10 Split Core Jan 4, 2004
- E11 Beyond the Wire Core Jan 11, 2004
- E12 Real-to-Reel Mytharc Jan 18, 2004
- E13 To Tell the Truth Core Feb 15, 2004
- E14 Old Enough to Fight Core Feb 22, 2004
- E15 Shoot the Moon Core Mar 7, 2004
- E16 Can't Hold On Core Mar 14, 2004
- E17 Chasing the Past Core Mar 21, 2004
- E18 Stewart's Charge Mytharc Mar 28, 2004
- E19 No Way Out Mytharc Apr 4, 2004
Season 3 · 17 episodes
- E1 Long Shots and Short Skirts Mytharc Sep 26, 2004
- E2 Charade Core Oct 3, 2004
- E3 Leaders of the Pack Core Oct 10, 2004
- E4 Surround Me Core Oct 17, 2004
- E5 So Long, Farewell Core Oct 24, 2004
- E6 Clear and Present Danager Core Oct 31, 2004
- E7 What Dreams May Come Core Nov 7, 2004
- E8 One in a Million Core Nov 14, 2004
- E9 Tidings of Comfort and Joy Mytharc Nov 21, 2004
- E10 Home Again Core Jan 2, 2005
- E11 Truth Be Told Core Jan 9, 2005
- E12 For Richer, For Poorer Core Jan 23, 2005
- E13 Starting Over Core Jan 30, 2005
- E14 The Commencement Core Mar 9, 2005
- E15 California Dreamin' Core Mar 16, 2005
- E16 No Satisfaction Mytharc Mar 23, 2005
- E17 It's My Life Mytharc Mar 30, 2005
Frequently asked questions
What is the setting of the series?
The story is set in Philadelphia during the 1960s.
Who is the central character?
The story focuses on a teenager named Meg Pryor and her family.
What is Meg's primary goal?
Meg aspires to become a dancer on American Bandstand.
How does the father react to the changes?
The father struggles with the changing personalities and interests of his family members.
What is the tone of the series?
The series reflects the cultural upheaval of the 1960s set to music from that era.
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