Janna Watson
"American Dreams" was truly unique to be airing in the first half of the twenty first century, especially since the story lines match the early 1960s. It was a time of a more innocent America when fresh faced families like the Pryor's were struggling to find their own happiness in a world of racism, wars in southeast Asia, and British rock n roll. I was sad and disappointed to see NBC cancel a program such as this that exemplified excellent writing, acting and production value. Let's be honest, did not every kid between 14-18 years of age want to be on "Bandstand?" After buying the first season, I need to see the others released to complete my collection. If you haven't seen "American Dreams", I highly recommend it for anyone who lived through the '60s or wanted to be a part of it. I wanted to be a part... I was born in the wrong decade.
DKosty123
How do you recreate something that only happens once when it was like a dream that captured the imagination of a whole country? I have been watching season 1 on DVD and it appears that is what is the goal of this program. It pretty much does the job too. It tries to recreate the history on American Bandstand and the feelings of the era. Here is how it started- It premiered locally in late September 1952 as Bandstand on Philadelphia television station WFIL-TV Channel 6 (now WPVI-TV), as a replacement for a weekday movie that had shown predominantly British movies. The original host was Bob Horn, but no one remembers that start. In late spring of 1957, the ABC television network asked their O&O's and affiliates for programming suggestions to fill their 3:30 p.m. (ET) time slot (WFIL had been pre-empting the ABC programming with Bandstand). Clark decided to pitch the show to ABC president Thomas W. Moore, and after some badgering the show was picked up nationally, becoming American Bandstand on August 5, 1957. Clark had been hosting since 1956 and would continue to host until 1989 when the run ended.While the recreation of this era is not entirely accurate, the setting and the spirit are all captured here. The recent death of Dick Clark who took the only local show that premiered in Philadelphia and made it a nationwide success is a spirit that still lives on. What is important to remember is what this show did for the music industry in America. This show put American music on the map. The National exposure from Bandstand began the modern music era.Nearly every artist and every top 10 song for over 3 decades would appear on the program. This show tries to recreate Philadelphia in the era of televisions start. The drama of getting on the show, the back stage politics, and other events of the era are something that has now passed into history. Even the show would eventually move to California before it's run ended.Still, the series recaptures some of the magic. I doubt it could be done much better. The dvds have extra music and some real footage of Dick Clark interviewing singers of the era. The only wish is that there could be more of that stuff.This history is now the stuff of museum's as we are in a totally different age. This show is the best blast to that past available.In Memory - Dick Clark 2012 & Bob Horn 1966 plus others who pioneered a great era of music and television.
rich-tomczak
This is a fabulous series. I was extremely disappointed when they took it off the air.It is the story of a Catholic family living in Philadelphia during the early to mid sixties. The Dad has an appliance store in Philadelphia and has a black employee. One of the continuing story lines is the black/white interaction at that time.It also deals with the idea of a housewife who goes back to school while her kids are still in school, and eventually goes back to work.It is the time of the Kennedy assassination, and the Viet Nam war. The eldest son becomes a marine, and an MIA.It is the most worthwhile TV endeavor I have ever seen. The only thing that comes close is the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.The casting is flawless.I would buy the second and third seasons if they were to become available.
Kenn
This was one of the finest television shows ever made. The characters were real and the situations were real, believable and the entire show had a hook that made you enjoy watching it week to week... American bandstand and all those great old acts. The show ended with Meg rebelling and riding off with that guy on the motorcycle and when the next season rolled around no more show!!! This was a horrible way to end a show leaving its fan base in limbo. Did Meg return to her good girl ways and come home, did JJ ever go to college etc... This was a wholesome show that tackled some very big issues of both growing up and life itself and with a focus on one family I enjoyed seeing all the characters challenges. I hope NBC (or some other network) will at least film a special to let us know how it all turns out.