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American Dreams is an American drama television series that ran on NBC for three seasons and 61 episodes, from September 29, 2002, to March 30, 2005. The show tells the story of the Pryor family of Philadelphia during the mid-1960s, with many plotlines around teenager Meg Pryor (Brittany Snow), who dances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. The show often featured contemporary musicians performing as popular musicians of the 1960s. Season one takes place in 1963–64, season two in 1964–65 and season three in 1965–66. The series was created by Jonathan Prince and developed by Josh Goldstein and Prince; the latter was also one of the executive producers with Dick Clark. It debuted on September 29, 2002, and initially aired on Sundays at 8:00 pm Eastern Time but moved to the same time on Wednesdays from March 9, 2005, to the third-season finale (March 30, 2005). The show was known as Our Generation when it debuted in Australia but was changed back to American Dreams when it returned for the second season. The theme song "Generation" was written and performed by Emerson Hart, lead singer of the band Tonic. The song earned Hart an ASCAP award for Best Theme Song of Television in 2003. The show was the 2003 TV Land Awards "Future Classic" winner. Series overview In 1963 Philadelphia, the Pryors are a close Irish American Catholic family. World War II veteran John "Jack" Pryor owns a television and radio store. He and his homemaker wife Helen have four children: High school senior and football player John "JJ" Pryor, Jr., younger sisters Meg and Patty, and younger brother Will, who is lame from polio. Jack employs Henry Walker, whose son Sam is among the few African-American students at East Catholic High School. Meg and her best friend, Roxanne, pass the audition to dance on camera for Dick Clark's American Bandstand, filmed in the city, while JJ hopes to win a football scholarship to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The show depicts historical events, such as the assassination of John F. Kennedy, 1964 Philadelphia race riot, and American involvement in—and opposition to—the Vietnam War. It is important to note that the rest of history plays out exactly like real life. The main difference is that American Bandstand did not move to Los Angeles in early 1964 but instead stayed in Philadelphia contrary to the real life events of the show. Cast and characters Main Brittany Snow as Margaret "Meg" Pryor: The show's protagonist. In her spare time, she dances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. Her family is Catholic. Tom Verica as John J. "Jack" Pryor: Meg's father and head of the household. He owns Pryor's TV and Radio Store. Later represented his district on the Philadelphia City Council. Gail O'Grady as Helen Pryor: Jack's wife. Stay-at-home mom who tries college and then later works for a travel agency. Will Estes as John J. "JJ" Pryor Jr.: The oldest Pryor child. He enlists in the United States Marine Corps and fights in the Vietnam War. Sarah Ramos as Patricia "Patty" Pryor: Meg's younger sister. Very book smart and acts like a know-it-all. Ethan Dampf as William "Will" Pryor: The youngest Pryor child whose leg was crippled by polio, which is a source of guilt for his parents as they refused to allow him to have the Salk vaccine. In the show's second season, his leg was magically repaired. Jonathan Adams as Henry Walker: An African American employee in Jack's store who later became a partner in the store, who also heads a family. Arlen Escarpeta as Samuel "Sam" Walker: Henry's son and Meg's good friend who becomes a romantic interest in Season 3. Vanessa Lengies as Roxanne Bojarski: Meg's best friend who has a knack for getting herself into trouble. She dances on American Bandstand with Meg. Rachel Boston as Elizabeth "Beth" Mason-Pryor: JJ's girlfriend, whom he marries in the third season after returning from Vietnam. They have an infant son "Trip". Recurring Matthew John Armstrong as Pete Pryor: Jack's younger brother, an officer with the Philadelphia Police Department. He is assigned to the Columbia Avenue Precinct in North Philadelphia, a precinct which includes the Walkers' home and the Pryors' second store. He is addicted to alcohol and gambling. Almost married in Season 2 to Nancy (Helen's coworker and friend), but calls off the wedding at the last minute. Christopher Cousins as Theodore "Ted" Pryor: Jack and Pete's older brother, a successful businessman who has a strained and distant relationship from the rest of the family. He is only seen in a couple of episodes, and dies in a car accident late in Season 3. Natalie Marston as Melissa Pryor: Ted's 18-year-old daughter, niece of Jack and Pete. She entered Vassar College in the fall of 1966. John J. "Trip" Pryor III: JJ and Beth's son, born in November 1965 during the third season. Adina Porter as Gwen Walker: Henry's wife and a housekeeper, who died in Season 2 of cancer. Aysia Polk as Angela Walker: Henry and Gwen's daughter, roughly Patty's age. Keith Robinson as Nathan Walker: Henry's outspoken nephew. Spent some time in jail; eventually rehabilitated himself and now operates a delivery service. Jamie Elman as Luke Foley: A record store clerk. Meg's boyfriend in the first season; after they broke up, Luke and Roxanne developed a relationship and began living together in the third season. Jesse Hutch as James "Jimmy" Riley: An American Bandstand dance partner of Meg's who eventually leaves to fight in Vietnam; he would later return to American Dreams in the second season, in a wheelchair. Samuel Page as Drew Mandel: A college student at the University of Pennsylvania; he and Meg date during the show, despite both her brother J.J. and her father's dislike for Drew. It ends when she catches him cheating on her. Johnny Lewis as Leonard "Lenny" Beeber: Roxanne's second-season boyfriend with whom she goes on tour. Head of the band Lenny and the Pilgrims. Milo Ventimiglia as Christopher "Chris" Pierce: Shelly Pierce's son, who becomes Meg's new love interest in the third season. Rodney Scott as Daniel "Danny" O'Connor: Quarterback of the East Catholic football team in the first season, and who has a short-lived relationship with Meg in season two. His older brother was declared missing in action in Vietnam. In season three, Danny's brother's body is found in Vietnam. Paul Wasilewski as Thomas "Tommy" DeFelice: JJ's macho friend and former football teammate. JJ later ends the friendship when he notices a strong racist side to him when Sam enrolls at East Catholic. They resume their friendship when Tommy takes the blame for something JJ did. Kevin Sheridan as Kenny Keegan: JJ's East Catholic friend and teammate; a mediocre athlete. Jessica Collins as Colleen: JJ's coworker and sometime girlfriend in season one; she is older than JJ and a divorcée. Joseph Lawrence as Michael Brooks: The original floor producer of American Bandstand. His character left after the show's first season. Michael E. Rodgers as Coli.... Discover the Liz Pryor popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Liz Pryor books.