The WORST episodes of American Dreams
Every episode of American Dreams ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of American Dreams!
The death of John F. Kennedy introduced viewers to American Dreams. This series featured Meg Pryor and her Irish Catholic family living in Philadelphia. Meg's life changes when she is chosen to dance on American Bandstand and look beyond her strict father's view of life in order to become her own person.
#1 - It's My Life
Season 3 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/30/2005
When Chris returns, Meg finds out that he has been drafted for the war and is going to Berkeley to avoid it. Meg must decide between being with Chris or being with her family but her decision is made even harder when Jack threatens to disown her if she leaves. Roxanne begins to cut hair at the Vinyl Crocodile much to Luke's dismay. JJ begins to feel overwhelmed at work when he volunteers to help on a project. Nathan is given a second chance by Mr. Pryor when he allows Nathan to do deliveries again. Helen decides to accompany a mother to pick up her son's coffin.
#2 - Fear Itself
Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/13/2003
Meg and Roxanne are chosen for East Catholic's Prom Committee. Their assignment: get ""cool"" seniors onto the ""Bandstand"" set so they can take candid photos known as ""senior snaps."" Success, Roxanne gushes, will make them ""the coolest sophomores in history."" But they don't have permission from ""Bandstand"" to do it. Meanwhile, Will's Soap Box Derby is coming up, but he's afraid of the hills, and JJ's afraid of testing his newly healed leg; Patty has joined the Robins, and is very competitive about earning badges; and Jack hires Sam to do a job at the Girard Avenue store.
#3 - Shoot the Moon
Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/7/2004
Meg is upset with Roxanne after finding out that Luke and her have been dating secretly. Uncle Pete gets cold feet as his wedding approaches and does not attend his wedding. JJ is surprised to see a friend of his from basic training in the untouchables. Later in the episode he is killed. Meg is offered the chance of a lifetime by Colin. Meg and Jimmy Reily reunite during a magazing interview. Sam and Angela don't like Henry's new lady friend.
#4 - Can't Hold On
Season 2 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/14/2004
Liz Phair impersonates Jackie DeShannon, singing ?Walk in the Room? on ?Bandstand.? Off the set, Beth (Rachel Boston) is off to Hawaii to meet JJ for some R&R. It won't be either restful or relaxing. Meanwhile, Meg takes a job in WFIL's newsroom, where she sees a news clip that disturbs her greatly (she's also disturbed by something Beth tells her); Lenny (Johnny Lewis) is back in Philly with a newly released single and no idea about Roxanne and Luke (Jamie Elman); Nancy's replacement at the travel agency is a bachelor (Hank Stratton) who's very forward with Helen; Patty meets creepy Carl (Wes Robinson) at a pool, where she also meets a cute lifeguard; and Henry's frustrated because his new partner, Jack, doesn't treat him enough like a partner.
#5 - Chasing the Past
Season 2 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/21/2004
Roxanne begins to question her relationship with Luke. Meg lets Patty drive the family car after Patty blackmails her. Meg ends up crashing the car. After Beth tells her parents about her pregnancy they give her two options. JJ and his squad rescue American POW's. JJ thinks one may be Danny O'Conners brother.
#6 - Long Shots and Short Skirts
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/26/2004
BRANDY GUEST-STARS AS GLADYS KNIGHT, GAVIN DEGRAW AS SINGER IN THE LAIR, AND BEN TAYLOR'S ACTING DEBUT - Meg and Sam continue to find themselves at odds with their parents after their court date, as the uncertain future of Sam's scholarship hangs over Henry's head. Meg's arrest is leaked to the papers, compromising the integrity of Jack's bid to run for city council. Back at school, Meg and Roxanne learn that the new headmaster is enforcing the school's dress code, so they organize a mini-skirt protest. Meanwhile, Beth continues to work at the Lair, and has caught the eye of Cal, an aspiring singer/songwriter. When Helen asks Beth to join the Blue Star Women, an organization that donates necessities to the wives of soldiers at war, she expresses her concerns of not being J.J.'s wife. In Vietnam, J.J. is in a military hospital where he learns that the rest of his squad was not so fortunate, and that Beth is pregnant.
#7 - Charade
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/3/2004
NICOLE RICHIE GUEST-STARS AS LEAD SINGER OF THE EXCITERS, HAYLEY WESTERNA AS A SINGER IN THE LAIR - When the Pryor's meet their new neighbours, they are surprised and shocked to discover that Shelly Pierce is a single mom, a Playboy Bunny, and that her son, Chris, is old enough to attend East Catholic. As Meg continues her anti-war campaign, she is reprimanded at school by a progressive nun who decides that a better way for Meg to get her message out is to direct Shakespeare's play "Henry V", with a modern day twist. As Patty becomes obsessed with winning the Campbell's Tomato Soup essay contest, she seeks Donald's help, which causes some discomfort for Helen. Meanwhile, Sam is recruited for basketball at Penn, which concerns Henry, but provides a new girlfriend for Sam - in the form of his tutor. When Jack's campaign for city council begins to affect his family and professional life, he finds himself faced with questions only he can answer. Meanwhile, J.J.'s excitement to be with his new squad and return to combat is dampened when he is ordered by the mysterious government man, Stevens, to report to the U.S Embassy instead for further training.
#8 - Leaders of the Pack
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/10/2004
After Meg unsuccessfully tries to recruit other students for her play, Chris makes her an offer that involves breaking and entering in exchange for his and his friends' participation. Meanwhile, as Jack prepares to embrace alternative voting groups for his run as city councilman, Helen tries to understand Donald's alternative lifestyle, and invites him over for dinner. When Beth hears that another pregnant woman's husband is killed in Vietnam, she and JJ, have yet another awkward conversation. Meanwhile, dating Melanie causes Sam to feel like he is from the wrong side of the tracks, and Roxanne moves in with the Pryor's after she learns that her mom is not only remarrying, but moving, too.
#9 - So Long, Farewell
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/24/2004
While JJ is in Vietnam he meet Gunnery Sergean Finch. Father Cassidy discovers Meg's plans to add an anti-Vietnam aspect to the play and forbids her to do the play as it is. Jack is aproached by the pastor about getting a colored person on the police commision. Luke returns to Philadelphia with shocking news for Roxanne. Melanie becomes increasingly jealous of Sam and Meg's friendship. At the last second, Meg decides to do the play as she wrote it.
#10 - Clear and Present Danager
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/31/2004
Jack and Helen prepare to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary by going out of town. Roxanne decides to move out of the Pryor's house and in with Luke. Nathan begins to serve the rest of his jail time by working in a VA hospital. During his time there, he gains a respect for the veterans. JJ and his squard are captured and must figure out a way to escape. Meg considers laying your anti-war antics to rest but changes her mind at the last minute. Chris and Meg share their first kiss while painting a peace sign on the school but are caught and sentenced to 2 week suspension.
#11 - Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/21/2004
Helen occupies her time helping Beth care for John Pryor III. However, Beth is angry with Helen after she invites her father (Beth's) to see the baby. Meg continues with her anti-war movements but is shocked when Chris and his friends want to burn down an army recruiting center. Luke's girlfriend from San Francisco comes to visit but doesn't realize Luke wants to break up with her. Roxanne then becomes afraid that Luke will suddenly dump her one day. Nathan continues to spend time with an elderly veteran. As a result, when he dies he leaves Nathan his boat. Sam realizes that he handled things with Melanie wrong way and invites her to his house for dinner. The Pryor family must continue through the holiday season without JJ. What they don't know is JJ is still alive and fighting for his way home. After the family leaves for Christmas Eve mass, the Pryors receive a phone call and learn that JJ is on his way home. In a tearful reunion, JJ is reunited with his family and meets his son for
#12 - Home Again
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/2/2005
JJ has trouble readjusting to life at home. Meanwhile, Meg is accepted into college, but the two most important men in her life aren't pleased. Nathan gets his first look at the boat he inherited.
#13 - Starting Over
Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/30/2005
Prom is on the brain in this episode of American Dreams. With senior prom soon approaching, Roxanne and Meg scramble with their preperations. Patty is invited to prom which she rubs in Meg's face but is later upset when her date asks somebody else. Roxanne works to convince Luke to shave her beard off, while Meg prepares to face the prom on her own. JJ comes to her rescue after having a fight with Beth, that begins when JJ confesses his gamble that he lost. While at prom, JJ is offered a job at the high school. Meanwhile, Mr. Pryor feels the pressure from his bribers, and struggles to make a choice, which effects his family more than he knows.
#14 - No Satisfaction
Season 3 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/23/2005
With Ted, Jack's brother in the hospital he faces a tough decision to pull him of the respirator that is keeping him alive. Meg and Roxanne are excited for The Rolling Stones concert but are surprised to find where their seats are. Patty wants to become cool after being teased by some students at summer school about being a nerd. She receives a makeover from Meg and Roxanne and goes on bandstand but ultimately decides she likes who she is. Meanwhile, JJ is doing well at his job and able to use his knowledge from Vietnam to help him.
#15 - Surround Me
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/17/2004
Back in Saigon, JJ begins to experience other aspects of the Vietnam war including military interrogation, dating a Vietnamese girl, and deadly explosions in civilian areas. Back at home, Jack continues to approach the minority vote with help from Helen and Henry and the opposition resorts to scare tactics and dirty tricks in an attempt to foil his campaign. Meanwhile, Meg continues to work on her play with Roxanne, who is contributing in her own special way. As Meg and Chris become closer, his bad influence on her begins to show, surprising even Roxanne. Meanwhile, Cal and Beth also notice their intensifying feelings for each other.
#16 - Change a Comin'
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/23/2003
Hilary Duff and her sister Haylie impersonate two members of the Shangri-Las, a '60s girl group, in an episode in which the Vietnam War gets in the way of JJ and Beth, and Meg and Drew (Sam Page), when they go on a ""double date"" to Harrisburg, where Roxanne's friend Lenny is playing with his band. Meanwhile, Uncle Pete's drinking is getting in the way of his relationship with Nancy (Alicia Coppola); Helen is concerned about Will's state of mind as he recovers from his operation; Sam's getting interested in Malcolm X; and Patty makes a friend.
#17 - The Long Goodbye
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/30/2003
As JJ prepares to leave he and Beth celebrate their engagement. Beth and her mother can not seem to agree upon anything while JJ and Meg continue to fight about Drew. Will is still in the hospital. Roxanne continues to tour with Lenny. Roxanne decides that she loves Lenny but she can not continue to tour with them.
#18 - The 7-10 Split
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/4/2004
While Meg is on a date with Drew she runs in to Danny O'Conner who asks her out on date. Jack and Henry are shocked to find out that the store has been robbed. As Will prepares to leave the hospital he reminds Helen that she promised he could have a pet. Before Will's homecoming, Helen sends Patty to the pet store to get Will a pet. While there she meets Carl, a boy who works at the pet store. Sam struggles with the decision to chose between Yale and Howard University. In Vietnam, JJ runs in to Jimmy Riley, Meg's old dancing partner. Meanwhile Roxanne is crushed that Lenny hasn't called and turns to Luke for support. After Meg's date with Danny she comes to a decision about her relationship with Drew.
#19 - Beyond the Wire
Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/11/2004
Helen begins to feel the pressure of being a working mom as she tries to juggle her professional and home life. When Drew comes over for dinner it is obvious that Jack doesn't like him. After watching a film in school Patty wants to buy her first bra but nobody has time to go with her. JJ experiences life on the front line as he fights in Vietnam.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#20 - Real-to-Reel
Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/18/2004
JJ befriends a Vietnamese family and later in the episode, their village was destroyed. At home, his family is creating a care package for JJ along with an audio reel. Jack goes to a conference with his brother, Pete and is shocked at his actions towards the ladies. Meg continues to date Drew and is caught making out with him in a car. Later, she goes too far with him. Patty uncovers that Helen was pregnant with JJ before she married Jack and tells Meg. Meg reveals this dirty secret in an bitter arguement. Jack bans Meg from seeing Drew anymore. Roxanne and Luke finally kiss. Henry is given money from the Muslims to start his own repair shop
#21 - To Tell the Truth
Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/15/2004
American Bandstand holds a father-daughter dance prompting Meg to ask her father. While there Meg realizes she can't continue to lie to her parents and ends up telling her parents the truth about her and Drew. Patty walks in on Roxanne and Luke kissing and is heartbroken. Henry comes clean about his new shop.
#22 - Old Enough to Fight
Season 2 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/22/2004
Roy Orbison (Chris Isaak) plays on ?Bandstand, while Nancy Sinatra (Jennifer Love Hewitt) has schlepped her boots to Vietnam, where JJ sees her perform. He could use some cheering up: He's been traumatized by killing a Vietcong soldier. Back in Philly, Meg runs away from home (but not far); Henry's business plans hit a snag; and Will starts delivering newspapers by himself. Also: Tyler Hilton sings the Beatles' I've Just Seen a Face and Days of Our Lives regulars have cameos: Alison Sweeney (as Miss USA), Farah Fath (a Playboy Bunny), and John Aniston and Frances Reid (customers in Pryor Electronics).
#23 - Stewart's Charge
Season 2 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/28/2004
Jason Mraz (Dion) and Fefe Dobson (Tina Turner) are the guest impersonators on Bandstand, where Roxanne wants a hairstyling job. She also has boy woes: Lenny's return has clearly rattled Luke. Meanwhile, Beth makes a decision about her pregnancy; Nathan (Keith Robinson) is drafted, and Sam tries to get Meg to talk to Drew about his CO status; JJ's unit goes on a mission with a by-the-book new corporal (John Sloan); Jack considers his political options over coffee with Will's former teacher, the former Sister Grace (Robyn Lively); Will might be made to repeat fourth grade; and Patty uses hamster chips to get closer to Carl (Wes Robinson).
#24 - No Way Out
Season 2 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/4/2004
As the anti-war movement gains momentum, Meg and Sam get caught in the crossfire at an anti-war rally and finds themselves taking a stand that may have severe consequences in their future. Jack also takes a stand on Beth and her marital status as he begins his campaign for city councilman. Helen makes a shocking discovery at work and Patty , disappointed with her first date, turns to Roxanne for advice. Meanwhile, JJ and his squad are surrounded by the Viet Cong and under heavy gunfire when they are told they will not be receiving backup and will be on their own
#25 - What Dreams May Come
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/7/2004
As the Pryor's await news on JJ, Jack goes to Washington D.C. to try and find more information. Chris tells Meg about an anti-war rally in Washington D.C. and Meg convinces her father to let her to go to Washington D.C. Melanie invites Sam and his family to Thanksgiving diner, however Sam does not extend the invitation to his family and goes by himself. Helen is haunted by flashbacks of JJ while Patty and Will have a hard time going on with life. As the family sit downs to Thanksgiving dinner they recieve a package that announces JJ's fate.