'''''American Dreams''''' was an American television drama program broadcast on the NBC television network. It debuted on September 29th, 2002. The show was filmed in Philadelphia, Pennslvania, and parts at Lehigh University. It initially aired on Sundays at 8:00pm but moved to the same time on Wednesdays starting March 9, 2005.
The show tells the story of the Pryor family of Philadelphia during the 1960s. Season one takes place in 1963-64, Season two in 1964-65 and Season three in 1965-66. The show was known as "'''''Our Generation'''''" when it debuted in Australia, however 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-Television in 2003.
Characters
Major characters
* '''John J."Jack" Pryor''' (Tom Verica) - head of the Catholic household, Jack is a tough-but-loving husband, father, and owner of Pryor's TV and Radio Store. Also later represented his district in the Philadelphia City Council.
* '''Helen Pryor''' (Gail O'Grady) - Jack's wife, also employed at the Pine Street Travel Agency.
* '''John J. "JJ" Pryor Jr.''' (Will Estes)
* '''Margaret "Meg" Pryor''' (Brittany Snow)
* '''Patricia "Patty" Pryor''' (Sarah Ramos)
* '''William "Will" Pryor''' (Ethan Dampf) - an elementary school student whose leg was crippled with polio, a source of parental guilt as they had refused to allow him to have the Salk vaccine, but he underwent an operation to repair it in the show's second season.
* '''Henry Walker''' (Jonathan Adams (US)) - an African American employee in Jack's store who later became a partner/owner in the store, who also heads a family.
* '''Sam Walker''' (Arlen Escarpeta) - Henry's son, a bright college student and track star at University of Pennsylvania. In season 1, he went to East Catholic High.
* '''Elizabeth "Beth" (Mason) Pryor''' (Rachel Boston) - JJ's girlfriend, whom he marries in the third season shortly after returning from Vietnam. They have an infant son "Johnny".
* '''Roxanne Bojarski''' (Vanessa Lengies)
Minor characters
=Pryor Family
=
*Pete Pryor (Matthew John Armstrong) - Jack's younger brother, an officer with the Philadelphia Police Department. He is addicted to alcohol and gambling. Almost married in Season 2 to Nancy (Helen's coworker and friend), but got cold feet at the last minute.
*Ted Pryor (Christopher Cousins)- 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, but dies from a car accident late in Season 3.
*Melissa Pryor (Natalie Marston) -
