Paul Wesley | 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.

"New Frontier"

Sam deals with the negative reaction by East Catholic's track team. Helen has to make time for school and home. Meg handles Teresa McManus' jealousy and rumors about she and Jimmy Riley being more than dance partners on _"Bandstand" (1952)

"Pryor Knowledge"

Meg has her date with Jimmy Riley that includes going to the cinema and ends with Sam having to walk her home. J.J. gets two left feet as he takes Beth to a college mixer.

"The Fighting Irish"

J.J.'s wild night with Tommy DeFelice prevents him from meeting a Notre Dame recruiter and Jack is furious with him. Helen deals with the prospects of birth control and Meg has to accept that Jimmy only likes her as a friend.

"Cold Snap"

Meg is angry to hear Luke, the new record shop employee, criticising the music that she is about to buy. Elsewhere, a sudden cancellation of his deal to supply a hotel with all of their new TVs, forces Jack to examine his family's financial outlook and question his own business philosophy. Sam, who is still adapting to life at East Catholic High school, deals with a prank that goes too far while J.J. looks on, unable or unwilling to intervene.

""Black and White"

While preparing for the city championships, J.J. discovers some of Philadelphia's police officers have offered his teammates money to throw the game (although Tommy denies it at first), forcing him to question their integrity, as well as that of his police officer uncle Pete, who stops by the house for a sudden strategy session. Meanwhile, Meg, who shows signs of affection for Luke, a record store clerk at the Vinyl Crocodile and Patty's new piano teacher, is upset with Roxanne's sudden interest in him.

"Where the Boys Are"

In the midst of a special memory lane Bandstand (1952), Meg copes with a hostile Bobby Darin, while attempting to help roving columnist Roxanne land an interview with the hit singer. In the midst of the chaos, Jimmy Riley surprises his dance partner when he shares the big news that he joined the marines. Elsewhere, Jack, Henry, Nathan and Pete spend a rainy day playing an allegedly friendly game of poker. Helen receives a friendly ride home from her professor while J.J. spends a rainy afternoon drowning his sorrows in beer.

"The Carpetbaggers"

As Meg's recently rekindled romance with Luke begins to heat up, she grows concerned over his level of "experience" in matters of love. Prompted by some sagely wisdom from Roxanne, she attempts to broaden her sex appeal with shocking results. Elsewhere, Jack decides to rethink Nathan's employment status after learning of Helen's brush with danger, and his involvement in her defense during the recent voter registration drive. Meanwhile, J.J. reignites his romance with Colleen as he prepares to celebrate his 18th birthday and Helen agonizes over her own secret from that fateful day with Professor Witt.

"To Tell the Truth"

Bandstand (1952) has a father-daughter dance and Meg has to ask Jack to attend. Patty's crush on Luke ends when she sees Roxanne and Luke kissing.

"Old Enough to Fight"

J.J. gets to see Nancy Sinatra perform in Vietnam to help deal with the death of an enemy soldier. Will gets a paper route. Henry's quest for a business hits a snag.

"Home Again"

J.J. is still haunted by the war and finally sets a date for his wedding with Beth. Pete thinks Chris started a fire at the recruitment center and Chris delivers an ultimatum to Meg.

"Truth Be Told"

Meg's special night with Chris is ruined in the morning. J.J. and Beth refuse to have a Catholic wedding as Helen wants. Henry starts a new project to impress his new girlfriend.