New show, same old story

Okay, we get it. In the 60s, fathers were cruel and strict, sons played football, wives cooked dinner, and daughters did what they were told. Then young people started to rebel and older people got angry. The so called turbulent 1960s has been depicted in miniseries, movies, documentaries ad nauseum in the past number of years such that the plot lines have become clich?©. The new NBC drama American Dreams follows the mold of tired stereotypes mixed with neat special effects, reminiscent of Forrest Gump, and provides an uplifting but overall empty experience.

At the center of the series is Meg Pryor, played wistfully by Brittany Snow, who has a great dream of being something other than "really nice." Her life soon becomes a new whirlwind of activity as she lands a spot on her favorite television program, American Bandstand, thanks to the promiscuous flirtations of the obligatory bad girl, Meg's best friend Roxanne (Vanessa Lengies).

Unfortunately, conservative and angry dad Jack Pryor (Tom Verica) forbids her from appearing on the show, "because he says so." More family conflicts include jock son JJ's (Will Estes) refusal to play football (gasp!), and wife Helen's (Gail O'Grady) unwillingness to have another child (double gasp!). However, the family all comes together in sorrow at the end of the pilot at the news of President Kennedy's assassination.

The promos for American Dreams have been running since the season finales last May, and the focal point has always been what seems to be the shows greatest pull, clips from American Bandstand. By splicing in old reels with new, colorful shots of the show, the producers have added a taste of much-needed realism to the over-the-top and clich?©d plotlines. NBC executives have signed up young and popular singers like Michelle Branch and Usher to impersonate American Bandstand stars in hopes of attracting younger viewers.

While these scenes are interesting and the songs are catchy, they don't add much to the show. Sure, American Bandstand stands in as Meg's avenue for teenage rebellion, but there is no reason why the avenue couldn't be any other vice. Meg's sole desire to be popular and meet boys (and not to enjoy the music of the era) only magnifies the fact that the use of American Bandstand is a cheap gimmick meant to bring in viewers, not to advance the quality of the show.

The future of American Dreams lies upon the acting performance of Snow, and how she reacts to her dynamic surroundings. Her saccharine attitude and deer-in-headlights stare are not impressive, as she seems like nothing more than a shallow teenage girl. Yet, if the show doesn't succeed, her name does ensure a great career in the "adult" film industry.

The best performance of an otherwise boring cast comes from Verica, who portrays the conflicted and hard-working father with a stubborn earnestness. His struggle to realize that his dream for a beautiful family, big home, and successful career does not supercede the dreams of his wife and children is depicted marvelously in his subtle movements.

American Dreams is meant to remind us of the simpler, more peaceful times, when a family's biggest problems were a silly television show, and not a terrorist cell out in Afghanistan. It was a happier time, as the darker melodies of a generation of discontented youth were swept under the harmony of rock 'n' roll and American Bandstand.. But good intentions and special effects won't be enough to keep most TV viewers watching.