American Dreams

Life for the Pryors in 1960s Philadelphia includes a daughter whose dream is to become a dancer on "American Bandstand." Brittany Snow, Vanessa Lengies, Gail O'Grady, Tom Verica, Will Estes, Ethan Dampf, Sarah Ramos, Joseph Lawrence and Virginia Madsen star.

The family tries to return to its routine after the assassination of President Kennedy; Meg discovers Roxanne is not invited to dance on "American Bandstand"; Helen explores going back to school.

Jim welcomes an employee's teenage son into his home; Meg vies with a fellow dancer for Jimmy's affection.

Meg prepares for her first date with teen heartthrob Jimmy Riley; Jack and Helen spend an evening with radicals; JJ declines to accompany Beth to a college mixer.

Heartthrob Jimmy Riley (Jesse Hutch) asks Meg to be his dance partner on "Bandstand"; JJ arranges to meet a Notre Dame recruiter over dinner.

A reunion of Jack's old unit rekindles memories of World War II; Meg invites a popular singer (Nick Carter) to a party she throws in her parents' absence.

JJ looks on as football players pull a prank on Sam; a record store clerk urges Meg to listen to Bob Dylan's music; Roxanne asks Marvin Gaye (Usher) to sign his latest record.

JJ discovers that some of his teammates have been offered money to throw the championship game; Helen goes out on the town with classmate Rebecca.

Meg braves the streets of north Philadelphia to hear Luke (guest star Jamie Elman) play with a church choir; JJ sneaks out of the house for a late-night tryst with an older woman (guest star Jessica Collins); Helen protests when Jack disciplines his children using different standards.

Meg and Jimmy (Jesse Hutch) kiss under the mistletoe on "American Bandstand"; Dionne Warwick (Ashanti) sings "Walk On By"; Henry hopes for a raise during the holiday rush.

Jack asks his older brother (guest star Christopher Cousins) for financial help after the University of Notre Dame denies JJ a full scholarship; Meg tries to determine if Luke (guest star Jamie Elman) can be classified as her boyfriend; Beatlemania grips the Pryor household.

Helen invites Meg to attend a college lecture; Jack discovers his youngest son is a bully; Henry welcomes a troubled nephew (Keith Robinson) into his home.

JJ's fling could cost him his relationship with Beth; Meg and Sam save money by sharing records; Jack's new employee, Nathan, does not return from a delivery; Helen baby-sits for her professor.

Meg tries to convince Luke of the importance of St. Valentine's Day; Jack seeks a second medical opinion; JJ asks Beth for forgiveness.

JJ and Sam duel in a track meet; after breaking up, Meg and Luke (guest star Jamie Elman) enlist help in redefining their relationship from Roxanne and a record store owner (guest star Art Garfunkel); Helen thinks a professor (guest star Robby Benson) has a crush on her. India.Arie gu.

Helen helps a classmate recover from a miscarriage but is taken aback when she learns the truth behind the woman's loss.

Jack and his brothers (guest stars Matthew John Armstrong and Christopher Cousins) visit their father's grave; Meg impresses the producer (guest star Joseph Lawrence); the doctor gives JJ bad news; Helen and her professor (guest star Robby Benson) register voters; Sam joins his cousin at a rally.

Meg struggles with her feelings for Luke as she signs autographs at the Vinyl Crocodile; Jack excludes Henry while exploring the possibility of opening another store; Jackie Wilson (Wayne Brady) performs on "American Bandstand."

Connie Francis and Bobby Darin perform on "American Bandstand"; Jack and the guys spend a rainy day playing poker; Helen's professor gives her a ride home.

Meg tries to broaden her sex appeal when her romance with Luke heats up; JJ rekindles his romance with Colleen.

Meg and Roxanne hold an after-hours gathering and accidentally damage the "Bandstand" set; Will worries about the upcoming Soapbox Derby.

Trying to climb the high-school social ladder, Meg lies to her best friend and spends a night with the popular girls; a chance meeting between Jack and Helen's former teacher (guest star Robby Benson) makes him question the sanctity of his marriage. Guest stars also include B2K and Je.

Meg searches for a way to apologize to Roxanne; Helen finally tells Jack about kissing professor Witt; Henry tries to make the best of a hot day and lands in jail.

JJ leaves for college to begin training for the upcoming football season, but he's plagued by his old injury; Luke teaches Meg how to drive; police hassle Sam and Nathan after a curfew is imposed in North Philadelphia; Roxanne's father seeks to rekindle their father-daughter bond. Mon.

When Meg visits Sam at the new store, she gets caught up in a riot sparked by racial tensions; JJ makes a surprise announcement to his parents about his future.