American Dream/ Beatles Invasion

[Cyn1963]

I just saw on NBC Sunday night at 8:00 there is a show about "when the Beatles came to America". I've never seen the show. Should be good!!!! Looks like they will show news clips and work the show around it. Some teenage girls were screaming.

[LennonLegend83]

Yeah, I've been watching 'American Dreams' for a few weeks now. I like it, great show. Last weeks episode was the first episode of the show cause I tuned in and noticed that it was a re-run. The show is cool cause they do use real clips from back in the day. Excellent show though, I'm gonna continue to watch.

[beatlebangs1964]

For a show set in the fall of 1963, I noticed that songs from 1964 and 1965 are used. There are a few issues with things like that.

Still, I can't wait to see the Beatle episode. I'll tape it, yeah, yeah, yeah!

[StrawberryShorty]

This is my fave show! I've been a fan since day 1. Isn't JJ hot? LOL!

But anyways, my VCR is set, and ready to roll!!

[beatlegirl9977]

It's one of the few TV shows I watch nowdays (network TV is such a wasteland lately...). I've been looking forward to such a Beatle-y episode since the show started!

My VCR is ready for tomorrow night! images/icons/smile.gif

[kc]

Got the VCR queued up and ready to go! graemlins/clap1.gif

[Beatles'girl123]

I CANT WAIT!! I have been waiting for this episode to come on since 3 weeks ago when I found out about it. I have my VCR ready to go!

[kenny willis]

we're the beatles ever on bandstand? i dont think they was

[StrawberryShorty]

I LOVED IT! My emotional butt even started tearing up in the beginning at all the excitement everyone was experiencing! (Yeah, pitiful, I know.. lol).

I'm about to watch it again with my mom, (she's never been able to see the show since she works til 8 on Sundays). I'm hoping a little down the line that they'll put the whole season out on DVD.

Did everyone enjoy it as much as I did?

[IWantToTellYou]

I hated it.

They didn't even show them! What was up with that? Not only did they not show the Beatles, we didn't actually hear them singing! It was all of those girls singing over top, and badly at that! Now I understand that this is what happened when the Beatles played or whatever, I just thought it was pathetic that the only thing you saw of the Beatles was their picture in a record store...

I couldn't watch the whole thing. I kept filpping back between "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" that was on ABC, so maybe I missed the time that they showed them in the flesh...

I give that episode graemlins/thumbsdown.gif graemlins/thumbsdown.gif (2 thumbs down) I didn't even get a little feeling about what kind of histeria they really caused. My mother always told me that the girls screamed so loud at a Beatles concert that they couldn't even hear if they were all playing the same song. I didn't get that from this show.

I will probably never watch that show again.

[kc]

I thought the episode was...okay, I guess. Nothing spectacular, really. Personally, I think it would have been more exciting if Meg and her friend actually went to JFK in New York to see the Beatles' arrival. They're only in Philadelphia, so they're not too far away, right?

I guess the only people who are really going to know what that time was like is those who were actually alive at the time. I'm a bit envious. What an amazing piece of history that would be to witness.

[beatlegirl9977]

I knew from the beginning of the episode when they played that generic version of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" that there was going to be minimal Beatles music/footage... My stomach turned every time I had to hear the girls singing off-key and very BADLY (blecch).

They couldn't even get the real Ed Sullivan footage for the show?? (I know it probably would have taken a ton of legal wrangling, etc., but still....That was the impression I got from the articles I read about the show.) That would have at least redeemed the rest of the show. Instead we got 10 seconds of more off-key singing...gads...

Oh well... at least they acknowledged that the Beatles WERE on the music scene at that point, if nothing else.

[BeatleBonJoviFan]

I thought it was alright. I wish we could have heard The Beatles sing instead of all those girls singing off-key. Did anyone else notice that Meg's 45 of "I Want To Hold Your Hand" was a solid yellow label, not the yellow and orange swirl?

Originally Posted By kc:
[QB]I thought the episode was...okay, I guess. Nothing spectacular, really. Personally, I think it would have been more exciting if Meg and her friend actually went to JFK in New York to see the Beatles' arrival. They're only in Philadelphia, so they're not too far away, right?
[QB]<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Actually, it may seem like Philadelphia's not too far away from New York, but speaking as another south Pennsylvanian, I've only ever been to New York City once in my life. And since things were different back then, it's not surprising that she wasn't able to go. For example, my Dad wanted to go to see the Beatles in Washington, D.C. back then, which is even closer to us than NYC, but wasn't allowed to go. If my Dad couldn't go to DC, there's no way a couple of young girls would be allowed to go to NYC, especially just to see a rock and roll band arrive in America. That's just how I see it, though (unfair as it may be).

[beatlegirl9977]

Originally Posted By BeatleBonJoviFan:
Did anyone else notice that Meg's 45 of "I Want To Hold Your Hand" was a solid yellow label, not the yellow and orange swirl?

<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Was it? I thought it looked kind of odd, but I couldn't tell for sure (I taped it and my TV gets REALLY bad reception--I miss cable tv!)

[Sexy_Sadie]

Originally Posted By StrawberryShorty:
Did everyone enjoy it as much as I did?<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Yeah I really liked it!! It was just really fun. I didn't think they'd be able to show the Ed Sullivan footage anyways, so I wasn't that disappointed. I loved the hysterics and dancing on bandstand, and anticipation before the Ed Sullivan show. It really set the mood, I thought. One of the best parts was when Roxanne said something like, "Give me five minutes alone with Ringo and he'd be mine!" Haha, and when Meg was like, "I hope they don't have girlfriends!" I liked it, even if they couldn't really show much footage or the actual songs.

[kc]

Originally Posted By BeatleBonJoviFan:
Actually, it may seem like Philadelphia's not too far away from New York, but speaking as another south Pennsylvanian, I've only ever been to New York City once in my life. And since things were different back then, it's not surprising that she wasn't able to go. For example, my Dad wanted to go to see the Beatles in Washington, D.C. back then, which is even closer to us than NYC, but wasn't allowed to go. If my Dad couldn't go to DC, there's no way a couple of young girls would be allowed to go to NYC, especially just to see a rock and roll band arrive in America. That's just how I see it, though (unfair as it may be).

______________________________________________

Yeah, I suppose. I can dream though, can't I? Maybe I was thinking that way because I once sneaked away from home to see Clapton in concert! * graemlins/wink3.gif * graemlins/smile1.gif

[bitagirl]

I thought it was okay, I dunno I guess I was expecting more. Especially since the previews were going on and on about the Beatles and stuff. It was good and it captured the overall feeling really well I think(HAHA, like I'd know right! images/icons/wink.gif ) But I had a feeling since the start of the show that not a lot of footage would be shown...

But on a side note, I'm glad Meg finally got that guy to kiss her again! LOL

[Beatlesgal]

[Magill]

Only caught the last five minutes of this show last night. I kept flipping to it, but this show just didn't hold my attention. While, The Simpsons and King of the Hill on the other hand... graemlins/laugh5.gif .
I mean, they didn't even show the Ed Sullivan broadcast anyway. What the heck was that? Not even a tribute band?? graemlins/images/icons/confused.gif
It was kinda cute they had everyone singing along. I wonder if those young actors needed cue cards. But, to be honest, I think if I were there, I would have told them all to shut up. I'd rather listen to the guys singing.

[beatlebangs1964]

I didn't feel the show did a good job of portraying the Beatles' arrival to America. Yeah, the story just managed to work around them and work them in, but I didn't feel it was well done.

Still, I liked seeing the Beatle footage.

[BeatleBonJoviFan]

Originally Posted By beatlegirl9977:
Was it? I thought it looked kind of odd, but I couldn't tell for sure (I taped it and my TV gets REALLY bad reception--I miss cable tv!)<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Yeah it was! I had to rewind and watch that part a couple of times to make sure I saw that right. And I even noticed that she bought it in a plain white sleeve, but the sleeve had "The Beatles" printed on it in big type. Never heard of that before.

[BeatleBonJoviFan]

Originally Posted By kc:
Originally Posted By BeatleBonJoviFan:
Actually, it may seem like Philadelphia's not too far away from New York, but speaking as another south Pennsylvanian, I've only ever been to New York City once in my life. And since things were different back then, it's not surprising that she wasn't able to go. For example, my Dad wanted to go to see the Beatles in Washington, D.C. back then, which is even closer to us than NYC, but wasn't allowed to go. If my Dad couldn't go to DC, there's no way a couple of young girls would be allowed to go to NYC, especially just to see a rock and roll band arrive in America. That's just how I see it, though (unfair as it may be).

______________________________________________

Yeah, I suppose. I can dream though, can't I? Maybe I was thinking that way because I once sneaked away from home to see Clapton in concert! graemlins/wink3.gif graemlins/smile1.gif <font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">It is nice to dream, isn't it? It would've been cool to see her screaming for The Beatles at the airport, but that would require a lot of work for the production crew to carry off. They'd need a faux JFK airport, a plausible NYC backdrop and lots of teenage girl extras to scream with them. If they could've done that, it would've been cool though...

[angelgodiva]

I was disappointed with the show overall, but I was tearing up at that footage in the beginning as well. I always get emotional over that, and AHDN too--it just takes me right back to the magic and excitment we all felt "all those years ago".

[Danoota64]

No clips of the Ed Sullivan appearance....no real Beatles' music....not even the right record label....that's Dick Clark for ya.

I would not have missed the episode for anything, but i didn't like how they didn't make it as important as it was. How could Helen go out alone on a Sunday night and not be home with her family to watch this huge event? She seems to share everything with her family, but a movie was more important?

I wonder if they'll even be another mention of The Boys for the rest of the season.

But i'll still watch.

graemlins/peace.gif

[LuvLennon]

I never actually watched this show before, and didn't really find it all that great... I'm glad they took the time to focus on the importance of the Beatles to the 60's though. I did feel sorry for that poor girl whose chance to watch the Beatles on Ed Sullivan was in constant jepordy, due to the fact she was being made to help her brother memorize something...how unfair is that!!

[beatlegirl9977]

Originally Posted By LuvLennon:
I did feel sorry for that poor girl whose chance to watch the Beatles on Ed Sullivan was in constant jepordy, due to the fact she was being made to help her brother memorize something...how unfair is that!!<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Eh, that character just got what was coming to her images/icons/smile.gif ... she's the brat in the family (I've been watching the show all season and she's nothing but a pain in the butt!)

[ImaginePeace78]

The show was okay. The previews made it looked like they were going to focus on the Beatles more, but they really didn't. Maybe that's how it was for some people back then. The Beatles may not have been a central part of their lives then, and their life just went on with the Beatles somewhere in the background. Of course for the big fans, the Beatles were always there.
-Kristi
P.S. I hated how they couldn't play real Beatles music either. They could've done this episode much better.

[StrawberryShorty]

Just found this article:

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/news/stories/20030107/localnews/724485.html

When I was about 17, I remember running to the TV, turning it to channel 34 and waiting.

Pearl Jam's new video "Jeremy" was about to have its world premiere on MTV. I was enthralled, sitting there holding my breath until the final scene when Jeremy raises the gun and shoots himself in front of his classmates.

I was in total shock, disbelief. To me, music television had reached a new level. It spoke to me, and others. It had reached out to the disenfranchised youth of the 1990s.

Given this experience, I can only partially imagine what the teens who danced on "American Bandstand" in the 1960s felt.

There was no MTV. A lot of people still didn't have a family television set. Seeing musicians firsthand was a rarity.

I cannot even imagine being excited simply hearing the Beatles' song "I Want to Hold Your Hand." But, I got a better idea of what that might have felt like Sunday when NBC's drama "American Dreams," which is at 8 p.m. and features the 1960s show "American Bandstand," showed characters Meg Pryor and Roxanne Bojarski dancing to the Fab Four's melody.

Co-produced by Dick Clark, the host of "American Bandstand," "American Dreams" gives viewers a look at many former stars and heartthrobs. Sometimes the show airs original black and white footage of performances while showing a blurred group in the background, other times stars of today re-enact famous performances, such as when Ashanti portrayed Dionne Warwick or Usher portrayed Marvin Gaye.

"American Dreams" gives viewers more than a first look at musicians. It also gives us a sense of history. Already this season the president's been killed and civil rights and feminism have touched the two main families -- the Pryors and the Walkers -- in this hour long drama.

What more this show has in store is sure to be equally moving.

While "American Dreams" is based on some real events, several shows are making their own reality this year.

The second set of season premieres launched this week: "High School Reunion" at 9 p.m. Sunday on the WB places 17 former classmates at an estate in Maui; "Joe Millionaire" at 9 p.m. Mondays has women vying for the affections of a construction worker they are led to believe is a millionaire; "Bachelorette," a spinoff of "The Bachelor," airs at 9 p.m. Wednesday on ABC and has 25 men fighting for the attention of "The Bachelor" runner-up Trista Rehn; "Celebrity Mole" takes the hunt to Hawaii at 10 p.m. Wednesdays on ABC; and "Star Search" searches for society's next superstars at 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday (it's normal time slot) this week on CBS.

Also new to the lineup is "Abby" on UPN, which will air a second episode tonight at 9:30 after its launch Monday. "Abby"'s regular spot will be on Tuesdays. "Mister Sterling" will replace "Providence" which ended its series run in December. "Sterling" will air at 8 p.m. Fridays on NBC. CBS also will launch a new drama. "Queens Supreme" is planned for 10 p.m. on CBS.

With all these new shows, the network channels are getting a bit crowded and had to do a bit of reshuffling.

If you can't find your favorite show it's either been moved or canceled.

"Angel" will move to Wednesdays in mid-January and "Fastlane" will pop up this Friday. "Firefly" seems to have flown away from Fox, but its fans are trying to interest UPN in picking up the Joss Whedon ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Angel") created series. A fan site, www.fireflysupport.com, (http://www.fireflysupport.com,) lists the addresses of some UPN officials to contact.

As it is one of my top picks for the year in new network entertainment, I hope UPN does take this well-written space drama and gives it a new port.

TV Turn-Ons is written by Melissa Scott, a copy editor at the News Journal in Mansfield. Any questions regarding the new television season, please e-mail mscott@nncogannett.com.