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Season One
1 - Pilot
Meg Pryor's lifelong dream is to dance on the iconic 1960s
television series American Bandstand, and along with her adventurous
confidante, Roxanne Bojarski, the 15-year-old's persistence pays off
when they find themselves on camera, dancing amongst a variety of
teen idols. While his younger sister realizes her dreams, JJ Pryor
questions his own childhood ambitions as he struggles to decide
between striving for a Notre Dame football scholarship and making a
life-altering change. Family patriarch Jack Pryor, concerned with
his children's defiant behavior as well as with wife Helen's
influential new friends, watches his idealistic family buckle under
the era's social challenges on the eve of the decade's watershed
event.
2 - The End Of The Innocence
Still in shock over the assassination of the President, the Pryor's
attempt to regain their normal routine in a changed world, looking
to each other for an explanation of this tragedy. Additionally,
Meg's social world is rocked by the realization that her best friend
Roxanne was not invited to dance on American Bandstand - splitting
this dynamic duo into a solo act. JJ struggles to put his own life
back in focus, fighting against his dad's desires for his future and
his own longing to be back on the football field, while Helen
broadens her mind, opening to the possibilities of going back to
school.
3 - New Frontier
Coming to grips with the changing world around him, Jack welcomes
Sam, son of his longtime employee Henry -- and the newest student at
East Catholic High -- into his home as he attempts to ease his
transition into an unfamiliar situation. Enjoying the prestige of
her new role as a regular on American Bandstand, Meg hopes to win
the affection of teen heartthrob Jimmy Riley, despite the
interference of her newfound nemesis and fellow dancer Teresa. Helen
begins a new role of her own taking the first steps into higher
education as she joins new friend and fellow student Rebecca at
Temple University. Elsewhere, JJ returns to a familiar place as he
quietly steps back onto the gridiron and prepares to move forward
toward college.
4 - Pryor Knowledge
Meg, with the help of her romantically experienced best friend
Roxanne, prepares for her first date with teen heartthrob and
"Bandstand" regular Jimmy Riley. Meanwhile, Jack and Helen
prepare for a new social experience of their own when they spend an
evening with Helen's classmate Rebecca, her husband and their
radical ideas. Elsewhere, JJ deals with his own romantic problems as
his "two left feet" keep him from accompanying Beth to a
college mixer while Patty discovers the new transfer student.
5 - The Fighting Irish
Concerned over the lasting impression she made on their date, Meg is
ecstatic when teen heartthrob Jimmy Riley asks her to be his regular
dance partner on Bandstand, thus making the duo the show's newest
"spotlight couple". Meanwhile, JJ makes plans for his
future when he arranges to meet with a Notre Dame recruiter over a
Pryor family dinner, only to have his trouble with Beth interrupt
the important meeting, thus furthering troubles with Jack.
Elsewhere, Helen struggles with family issues of her own as she
reviews current birth control options.
6 - Soldier Boy
A reunion of Jack's old World War II navy unit forces the veteran to
relive some forgotten battlefield memories and offers Helen a
glimpse of her husband the military hero -- as she meets a fellow
veteran whose life he saved. Meanwhile, Meg, enjoying the benefits
of her alleged appearance in a teen magazine "Bandstand"
photo, takes advantage of her parent's absence, inviting Jay of the
popular Jay the Americans over for a party. The social gather
creates friction between the Pryor girls as Patty, feels slightly
eclipsed by her sister's popularity.
7 - Cold Snap
Still adapting to life at East Catholic high school, Sam deals
with a prank gone too far by the football team, while JJ looks on,
unable or unwilling to intervene. Elsewhere, a sudden cancellation
of a big sale forces Jack to examine his family's financial outlook
and question his own business philosophy. Meanwhile, Meg wages a
battle of musical authority with record store clerk Luke, who
attempts to open her mind to the sounds of Bob Dylan while Roxanne
starts her own business venture when she asks Bandstand musical
guests such as Marvin Gaye to sign their latest records.
8 - Black And White
While preparing for the city championships, JJ discovers some of
Philadelphia's finest have offered his teammates money to throw the
game, 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.
Elsewhere, Helen leaves the family for a rare girls night out with
new age classmate Rebecca, while Jack prompted by Henry's
suggestion, expands his customer base to include a slightly less
vocal group and Sam deals with backlash from his former friends over
the impending game.
9 - The Home Front
As the Christmas season takes hold, Meg decides to spend more time
with Luke, venturing to the rough streets of North Philly to hear
him play with a local Church choir, giving her a chance to get to
know him better. Meanwhile, JJ catches the eye of a slightly older
and more experienced club employee and sneaks out of the Pryor house
for a late night rendezvous. Catching on to both of his older
children's escapades, Jack implores a slightly uneven standard of
discipline, angering the family's growing feminist Helen. Elsewhere,
Henry enjoys the recent success his advertising ideas have brought
the store, but a few choice words from an over-eager friend leaves
Jack concerned he might leave.
10 - Silent Night
With Christmas a day away, Meg and dance partner Jimmy Riley are
voted one of Bandstand's favorite couples landing them a date under
the mistletoe for their first kiss, which hurts her budding
relationship with Luke. Meanwhile, JJ receives an early Christmas
present with his acceptance into the University of Notre Dame, which
prompts him to reconsider his break-up with longtime girlfriend,
Beth. Elsewhere, Jack's military expertise is called upon when a
local boy serving in Vietnam goes missing and Henry looks for a
raise during the store's holiday rush.
11 - I Wanna Hold Your Hand
The Beatles' arrival in America sends the country and the Pryor
household into a frenzy, except for a concerned JJ, who receives
word that Notre Dame has denied him a full scholarship. Determined
to afford his son's college education, Jack seeks financial help
from his successful and slightly distant older brother Ted despite
Pete and Helen's concerns. Meanwhile, a confused Meg attempts to
classify her relationship with Luke, employing Roxanne's
"perfect plan" to determine if the record store clerk is
in fact her boyfriend.
12 - Great Expectations
Concerned about Meg’s sliding grades, Helen
attempts to encourage her daughter by inviting her to a college
lecture in lieu of American Bandstand. Despondent over her
mother’s sudden interest in her education, Meg turns to boyfriend
Luke for support, only to be disappointed when he sides with Helen.
Meanwhile, as JJ and Beth rekindle their relationship, the question
of his relationship with Colleen comes up. Elsewhere, the Pryor's
welcome an unexpected houseguest when an angry Roxanne takes refuge,
refusing to share a home with her mother’s new boyfriend. Jack
encourages Will to stand-up for himself against a school bully, only
to learn that his youngest son is in fact the schoolyard intimidator
and Henry welcomes troubled nephew Nathan to his family.
See Mr. Video American Dreams Web Pages for a great music guide and
TV.com for
more listings.
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