You're growing up like flower

So, after how much fun I had writing about Starlight, I decided to report on some of the other random crap that my family loves but it seems like other people ignore. Obviously, I asked my family for suggestions, and my sister, the ever wise, and totally rock star Mary, brought up American Dreams.

OK, so American Dreams was on for 3 seasons. Which means logically, our household could not possibly have been the only one watching it, but it occasionally feels that way. Since anytime I bring it up to other people, they look at me like I'm insane.

American Dreams chronicled the lives of the Prior family, a working class Irish-Catholic family from Philadelphia in the mid 1960s. Father Jack, who owned and operated a TV and Radio shop, Mom Helen, who became bored with her housewife status so went back to school, oldest son JJ, a football star who harbored dreams of being an astronaut, Meg, the good girl daughter who defies her parents by dancing on American Bandstand, genius second daughter Patty and baby Will, who was his brother's reason to dream. Also included were JJ's longtime girlfriend and later wife, Beth, Meg's rebellious best friend Roxanne, Jack's assistant Henry and his son Sam, and Meg's revolving door of boyfriends. (The best being Chris, Milo Ventimiglia on a motorcycle!)

American Dreams was kind of innovative and ahead of its time. Aside from covering the same time frame as the now massively lauded Mad Men, it also featured current reinterpretations of classic songs, since the guests on Band Stand were often played by modern stars, singing the songs, including Kelly Clarkson as Brenda Lee, Usher as Marvin Gaye, Jennifer Love Hewitt as Nancy Sinatra a la Glee. Plus it introduced the world to Brittney Snow, who played Meg quite adorably. Even though Meg was often really unlikeable, Brittney made her feel real.

The show covered some pretty heavy issues, including JJ's stint in Vietnam, were he went MIA, as Beth found out she was pregnant, Sam and Meg being continually attracted to each other, but knowing that even their friendship was taboo, because he was black and she was white. Also, Helen went on the pill after multiple miscarriages, had a gay coworker and helped a classmate after she had an abortion.

Every Sunday the Nayden family gathered for American Dreams. And really, sometimes it did feel like we were the only ones watching.

Which was unfortunate, because MILO on a MOTORCYCLE! With a Beatles haircut. Yeah, you're sorry you missed that.