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The Worst Episodes of American Dreams

Every episode of American Dreams ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of American Dreams!

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In the 1960s, a family experiences life and the struggles of the era, accompanied by the well-known pop songs of the period.

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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    American Dreams Season 3 Episode 15 - California Dreamin'
    3.4/10(88 votes)

    #1 - California Dreamin'

    S3:E15

    Meg & Roxanne go to Hollywood for a special ""American Banstand"" episode. While the girls are there, they meet up with Barabra Eden a.k.a. ""Jeannie"". J.J. goes for an interview with an Engineering company in the hopes of following his dream of becoming an Astronaut. Meanwhile, Sam realizes the he has more in common with Nathan's date then Nathan does and Pete & Shelley decide to have an ""open relationship"" where they can see each other and other people. Jack decides to tell a reporter his reasons for leaving City Council. ~Graciem

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Liz Tigelaar

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  2. American Dreams Season 3 Episode 10 - Home Again
    5.4/10(69 votes)

    #2 - Home Again

    S3:E10

    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.

    Director:Mark Piznarski
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. American Dreams Season 1 Episode 16 - Act of Contrition
    5.9/10(132 votes)

    #3 - Act of Contrition

    S1:E16

    In the first track meet of the season, JJ (Will Estes) and Sam (Arlen Escarpeta) square off to determine who will race one of the fastest runners in the city, creating a new-found relationship between this unlikely pair. Meanwhile, after their break-up, Meg (Brittany Snow) and Luke (Jamie Elman) try to figure out exactly what to call their relationship with the help of confidents Roxanne (Vanessa Lengies) and record storeowner Mr. Greenwood (guest star Art Garfunkel). Elsewhere, Helen's (Gail O'Grady) classmates lead her to believe that their professor, Mr. Witt (guest star Robby Benson), has a crush on her. Musical guest star India.Arie portrays Nina Simone performing at the Vinyl Crocodile record store. Tom Verica, Sarah Ramos and Ethan Dampf also star.

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. American Dreams Season 2 Episode 6 - Rescue Me
    6.4/10(23 votes)

    #4 - Rescue Me

    S2:E6

    Roxanne's relationship with Lenny begins to heat up as things are pushed to the next level. JJ's relationship with Diane, the mysterious woman from the bar takes an unexpected turn when he finds out who's wife she is. Meg must take a long hard look at her relationship with Drew after finding out that he is seeing other people. Jack wants Helen to quit her job after finding out that Will's surgery will be funded by the March of Dimes. The Walkers must put their lives back together after the death of their mother.

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. American Dreams Season 1 Episode 6 - Soldier Boy
    7.0/10(35 votes)

    #5 - Soldier Boy

    S1:E6

    Roxanne is positive Meg is the ""Blurry Girl"" in a teen Magazine dancing with Jimmy Riley. Jack and Helen are in New York for a reunion of Jack's World War II unit. Beth tries in vain to reach J.J. but he cuts her off again. Later Meg meets Jay of Jay and The American's as he performs their hit ""Come a Little Bit Closer"" at a Bandstand rehearsal. He and Meg hit it off as does Roxanne and Carl the drummer. They plan a party for that night at the Pryor's house. Meanwhile in New York, Helen is approached by a man who claims Jack saved his life during the war. Patty finds out about the Party and wants to impress her spelling-bee foe Kevin by inviting him to party with Jay Black. J.J. and Will find Jack's 'Medal of Honor' while moving the last of the stuff from Meg's new room to the garage. Jay suggests to Meg and Roxanne they go some place else instead for the party. Beth and Kevin both show up, while J.J. and Beth have a fight, Patty and Kevin wait awkwardly for Meg to get home, which she

    Director:Bill D'Elia
    Writer:John Romano

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  6. American Dreams Season 1 Episode 8 - Black and White
    7.0/10(23 votes)

    #6 - Black and White

    S1:E8

    While preparing for the city championships, JJ (Will Estes) discovers some of Philadelphia's police officers have offered his teammates money to throw the game (although Tommy denies it at first), forcing him to question their integrity, as well as that of his police officer uncle Pete who stops by the house for a sudden strategy session. Meanwhile, Meg (Brittany Snow) who shows signs of affection for Luke, a record store clerk at the Vinyl Crocodile and Patty's new piano teacher, is upset with Roxanne's sudden interest in him.Turns out Roxanne was only pretending to like him, long enough so Meg would get jealous and admit she liked him. Elsewhere, Helen leaves the family for a rare girls night out with new age classmate Rebecca. Meanwhile Jack (still saddled with the TV's from the busted hotel deal),prompted by Henry's suggestion, expands his customer base to include a few black customers and Sam deals with backlash from his former friends over the impending game.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writer:John Romano

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  7. American Dreams Season 3 Episode 11 - Truth Be Told
    7.0/10(14 votes)

    #7 - Truth Be Told

    S3:E11

    Chris is questioned by police about the recruitment-center bombing, and has a special date with Meg.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. American Dreams Season 1 Episode 7 - Cold Snap
    7.2/10(26 votes)

    #8 - Cold Snap

    S1:E7

    Meg is angered to hear Luke, the new record shop employee, talking bad about the music she's about to buy. Elsewhere, a sudden cancellation of his deal to supply a hotel with all there new TV's, forces Jack to examine his family's financial outlook and question his own business philosophy. Sam, who is still adapting to life at East Catholic high school deals with a prank gone too far by the football team, while JJ looks on, unable or unwilling to intervene. While Roxanne uses her Bandstand connections to start her own business of selling autographed 45's, starting with Marvin Gaye. Discovering Luke slipped her a Bob Dylan record instead, Meg rushes back to the store to conmfront him. The Prank gets Tommy suspended and he threatens Sam until J.J. intervenes, which draws a nasty response from Sam. Michael shuts down Roxanne's new business, while Jack tries in vain to still make the big Hotel sell, but it's all for not as Mr. Healey refuses to buy them. Lastly, the bitter cold of the nigh

    Director:Michael W. Watkins
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. American Dreams Season 3 Episode 2 - Charade
    7.3/10(27 votes)

    #9 - Charade

    S3:E2

    NICOLE RICHIE GUEST-STARS AS LEAD SINGER OF THE EXCITERS, HAYLEY WESTERNA AS A SINGER IN THE LAIR - When the Pryors meet their new neighbors, 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 recuited 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, JJ's excitement to be with his new s

    Director:Robert Singer
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. American Dreams Season 2 Episode 13 - To Tell the Truth
    7.4/10(16 votes)

    #10 - To Tell the Truth

    S2:E13

    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.

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. American Dreams Season 1 Episode 20 - The Carpetbaggers
    7.5/10(22 votes)

    #11 - The Carpetbaggers

    S1:E20

    As Meg's (Brittany Snow) recently rekindled romance with Luke (guest star Jamie Elman) begins to heat up, she grows concerned over his level of ""experience"" in matters of love. Prompted by some sagely wisdom from Roxanne (Vanessa Lengies), she attempts to broaden her sex appeal with shocking results. Elsewhere, Jack (Tom Verica) decides to rethink Nathan's (guest star Keith Robinson) employment status after learning of Helen's (Gail O'Grady) brush with danger, and his involvement in her defense during the recent voter registration drive. Meanwhile, JJ (Will Estes) re-ignites his romance with Colleen (guest star Jessica Collins) as he prepares to celebrate his 18th birthday and Helen agonizes over her own secret from that fateful day with Professor Wit (guest star Robby Benson).

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. American Dreams Season 3 Episode 17 - It's My Life
    7.7/10(33 votes)

    #12 - It's My Life

    S3:E17

    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.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Lenn K. Rosenfeld

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  13. American Dreams Season 1 Episode 3 - New Frontier
    7.8/10(35 votes)

    #13 - New Frontier

    S1:E3

    To Meg's utter amazement she is asked to dance by Bandstand regular Jimmy Riley,before he is whisked away by another regular Teresa. J.J. quietly rejoins the football team. While Henry's son Sam earns a track scholarship to almost-all-white East Catholic. Jack invites Sam to dinner to meet J.J., being that their both now on the track team. Meg is informed by Teresa to be wary of Jimmy Riley. J.J. gets upset when he finds out Beth applied to Stanford. Helen tries to find a class that will fit her busy schedule at Temple. A Rumor starts circulating about Meg and Jimmy Riley "doing it", which Roxanne thinks is great, because it means Meg's important now. J.J. hears Beth's father call him a "Catholic kid from West Philly" to his country-club friends. Meg is asked out on her first date by Jimmy Riley and she readily accepts. While J.J. dominates the competition in his return to the gridiron.

    Director:Dan Lerner
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. American Dreams Season 1 Episode 22 - Secrets and Lies
    7.8/10(23 votes)

    #14 - Secrets and Lies

    S1:E22

    JJ's senior prom is coming up but he's not going because Colleen has made him another offer. Then he hears from Beth. In other prom-related doings, Meg's new friend Carol invites her---but not Roxanne---to a pre-prom sleep-over at her house. Meanwhile, Patty's afraid that no one likes her (there's some reason for this: she has a reputation as being a ""know-it-all""); Natha puts Henry in another delicate situation at the Girard Avenue store; and Jack runs into Professor Witt near the store and senses that there might be something between him and Helen.

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. American Dreams Season 2 Episode 12 - Real-to-Reel
    7.8/10(18 votes)

    #15 - Real-to-Reel

    S2:E12

    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

    Director:Jessica Yu
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. American Dreams Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.9/10(60 votes)

    #16 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    It's November 1963 and Meg Pryors dream is to appear on the Philly Based American Bandstand.Thanks to her best friend Roxanne, Meg finally gets the chance to appear, but her hopes are dashed when at dinner that night, Jack refuses to let her go on. While at the same time J.J. drops a bombshell on his dad and announces he doesn't wanna play football anymore, so he quit the team. Jack blames his girlfriend Beth and she storms out. Defying her father, Meg goes and does the show, in place of seeing Patty's spelling bee. Jack sees her on TV and when she's asked back as a regular, he refuses to let her appear. Meanwhile Helen struggles with her decision to stop having kids, of which Jack doesn't wanna hear,but finally accepts it.J.J. tells his coach he doesn't wanna play fottball, because he's being forced too and that took the fun out of it, but his coach says he should play anyway.Helen tries to talk Jack into letting Meg appear on the show,but he's made his decision. Which surprises and d

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:Jonathan Prince

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  17. American Dreams Season 1 Episode 15 - False Start
    7.9/10(21 votes)

    #17 - False Start

    S1:E15

    In the first track meet of the season, JJ and Sam square off to determine who will race one of the fastest runners in the city, creating a new-found relationship between this unlikely pair. Meanwhile, after their break-up, Meg and Luke try to figure out exactly what to call their relationship with the help of confidents Roxanne and record storeowner Mr. Greenwood. Elsewhere, Helen's classmates lead her to believe that their professor, Mr. Witt, has a crush on her. Musical guest star India.Arie portrays Nina Simone performing at the Vinyl Crocodile record store.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. American Dreams Season 2 Episode 15 - Shoot the Moon
    7.9/10(18 votes)

    #18 - Shoot the Moon

    S2:E15

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. American Dreams Season 3 Episode 4 - Surround Me
    7.9/10(17 votes)

    #19 - Surround Me

    S3:E4

    As Jack's City Council election nears, his brother Pete finds himself in the papers. In Vietnam, JJ and Anh from the café are becoming an item.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Nancy Won

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  20. American Dreams Season 3 Episode 8 - One in a Million
    7.9/10(25 votes)

    #20 - One in a Million

    S3:E8

    The family continues to mourn the news of JJ. Beth, worried about Helen and suggests she go and sees a psychiatrist. Jack is angry with Beth for suggesting it but Helen eventually goes. Meg is not sure what to do when she is asked to speak about JJ at an assembly. JJ is found alive by a Frenchmen but when he learns that he kills American soldiers, JJ must escape to save his life. A city wide blackout occurs during a meteora shower. Chris takes Meg to watch it. At home, Beth goes in to labor during the blackout and later delivers John Pryor III.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. American Dreams Season 1 Episode 12 - Great Expectations
    8.0/10(22 votes)

    #21 - Great Expectations

    S1:E12

    Meg gets two Cs on her report card and Helen, more concerned about it than Jack is, thinks it would be a good idea for Meg to accompany her to her Temple class. Meg dislikes the idea, but not as much as she dislikes the fact that Luke agrees with her mother. Roxanne is also at odds with her mother, so she stays with the Pryors. Meanwhile, Beth notices JJ talking to Colleen; Jack hires Henry's nephew, Nathan; and it seems that there's a bullying problem in Will's third-grade class.

    Director:Mark Piznarski
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. American Dreams Season 1 Episode 17 - Past Imperfect
    8.0/10(23 votes)

    #22 - Past Imperfect

    S1:E17

    Celebrating a Pryor family tradition, Jack and Uncle Pete make their annual trip to the cemetery to tend to their father's grave only to be joined by an unexpected visitor - their brother Ted. After impressing him with her musical knowledge, Bandstand producer Michael Brooks asks Meg to help him put together an upcoming special. However, when she is drafted as part of the cemetery expedition, Meg asks Roxanne to fill in, offering her best friend a chance to spend time with her latest crush. Elsewhere, JJ receives some disturbing news from the doctor regarding his broken leg. Helen volunteers to help register voters for the upcoming election, working closely with Professor Witt, while Sam decides to join his cousin Nathan at a local rally.

    Director:Mark Piznarski
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. American Dreams Season 3 Episode 7 - What Dreams May Come
    8.0/10(18 votes)

    #23 - What Dreams May Come

    S3:E7

    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.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. American Dreams Season 1 Episode 5 - The Fighting Irish
    8.1/10(26 votes)

    #24 - The Fighting Irish

    S1:E5

    Jimmy (still sporting a shiner from their first date) asks Meg to be his partner on Bandstand. A Notre Dame recruiter is interested in JJ, but when J.J. doesn't show Jack will have to carry the ball for his son. Patty wants a new water heater and goes around timing everyone's showers to show they need one. Beth tries her best to get through to J.J., but he brushes her off and while Jack is meeting with the recruiter, he gets drunk with Tommy. Helen's walks out on the doctor,when she firsts goes about birth control.Megs thinks her and Jimmy are destined to be a real couple,but he says he only wants to be friends. Jack gives J.J. the cold shoulder over his blowing off the Recruiting meeting. Helen returns to the doctor a second time and it goes much smoother. Things change at the big game,when the team needs a big play, J.J. fakes an injury, before scoring the game winning touchdown on the play Jack taught him.

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:Jon Harmon Feldman

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  25. American Dreams Season 1 Episode 2 - The End of the Innocence
    8.2/10(42 votes)

    #25 - The End of the Innocence

    S1:E2

    Advance Preview It's Thanksgiving week in 1963, but, in the wake of the JFK assassination, no one feels thankful. Even Meg's selection as a Bandstand regular seems hollow to her---especially since best friend Roxanne (Vanessa Lengies) wasn't chosen. And the resentful Roxanne isn't going easy on Meg (Brittany Snow). Meanwhile, East Catholic's football team has a hole at running back without J.J. (Will Estes); and Helen (Gail O'Grady) gets together with the worldly Rebecca Sandstrom (Virginia Madsen) at Temple University.

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:Jonathan Prince

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Worst Episodes Summary

"California Dreamin'" is the worst rated episode of "American Dreams". It scored 3.4/10 based on 88 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Liz Tigelaar, it aired on 3/16/2005. This episode scored 2.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Home Again".