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Webposted: September 28, 2003
by: Kay Kellam

They Say:

This evocative drama, which won two Emmy Awards in its freshman season last year, is set against the memorable, upbeat sounds of the 1960s as it depicts a more innocent America -- as seen through the youthful Pryor family of Philadelphia as they brace for cultural turbulence ahead that still resonates in this contemporary era.

Likable, 16-year-old “good girl” Meg Pryor (Brittany Snow, “Guiding Light”) and her outspoken best friend, Roxanne (Vanessa Lengies, “Popular Mechanics for Kids”) continue to pursue their dreams of dancing on Dick Clark’s locally produced “American Bandstand” as they struggle through the teenage transitions into adulthood.

At the same time, Meg’s mother Helen (three-time Emmy nominee Gail O’Grady, “NYPD Blue”) is embracing the newfound empowerment that the 1960s afforded women, thereby creating a tear in the Pryor family fabric -- mostly affecting the family’s patriarch, Jack Pryor (Tom Verica, “Providence”). The ongoing family changes include JJ (Will Estes, “7th Heaven”), who abandons his dream of playing college football in favor of joining the U.S. Marines while he solidifies his relationship with his high-school sweetheart, Beth Mason (Rachel Boston, “The Andy Dick Show”), now a college freshman. In addition, adolescent Will (Ethan Dampf, “Collateral Damage”) faces a major surgery and smarty-pants Patty (Sarah Ramos) continues with her annoying manners and now joins Meg in high school.

In addition, Henry Walker (Jonathan Adams, “The American Embassy”), an employee in Jack Pryor’s electronics store, struggles to give his family a better life. His son, Sam (Arlen Escarpeta, “The Shield”) continues at East Catholic High School on his track scholarship and is caught between his father’s ideals and the new civil rights struggles of the decade.

New cast addition Sam Page (“All My Children”) also stars as the college student who influences Meg as she continues to evolve into maturity, and Michael Rodgers (“The Patriot”) will also recur as a new associate producer on “American Bandstand” as the British invasion hits American shores with an unforgettable beat.

The drama continues to embrace contemporary musicians as guest stars who portray classic 1960s icons on “American Bandstand.” This season includes guest stars Kelly Clarkson (as Brenda Lee), Monica, Lil Kim, Alicia Keys, and Hilary ("Lizzie McGuire") and Haylie Duff.

I Say:

First I have to say it -- could this show have been made without Dick Clark???  While technically possible knowing that Dick Clark is a part of it makes the American Bandstand scenes that much more amazing.  As one friend put it, Dick Clark could be his own body double, see him from the back and we won't see that little bit in which he has aged!  The man is eternal after all!

This show is not amazing in and of itself -- what makes it stand apart, and what seems to gain it so much praise from critics around the country (including this one) is the talented cast they have assembled.  Every last character leaps off the screen and invites you into their world.

I do question these upbeat sounds of the 60s -- so far I've seen Kennedy shot and mourned him alongside two families and a lot of individuals, and with the civil rights movement still ahead I think those upbeat sounds may be centering on the amazing soundstage of American Bandstand where a lot of current stars look to be heading to recreate performances from days gone by.

The bottom line: The show is a year old, and the novelty hasn't worn off.   I tune in each week to see some top notch drama with an astounding cast.  I like to highlight those who are above their peers on any given show, but in this case there is no one outpacing the others. They are all neck in neck and striving to delivery the best they can.

(C) Kay Kellam, 2001 for PopArtsPlace.com
Prior to having her first novel, A Life to Di For, published author Kay Kellam enjoyed a variety of jobs that helped to shape her outlook on the world, and her profession.   more...