American Dreams

• Genre: Drama
• Created by: Jonathan Prince
• Developed by: Josh Goldstein &Jonathan Prince
• Starring: Brittany Snow, Tom Verica, Gail O'Grady, Will Estes, Sarah Ramos, Ethan Dampf, Jonathan Adams, Arlen Escarpeta, Vanessa Lengies, Rachel Boston
• No. of seasons: 3
• No. of episodes: 61
• Executive producers: Jonathan Prince, Dick Clark
• Producer: Mark Grossan
• Running time: 60 minutes
• Production companies: Once a Frog Productions, Dick Clark Productions, Universal Network Television and NBC Studios, NBC Universal Television Studio
• Network: NBC
• Release: September 29, 2002 – March 30, 2005

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.

"Tidings of Comfort and Joy"

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.