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American Dreamer

American Dreamer Poster

American Dreamer is a situation comedy which aired in the U.S. on NBC as part of its 1990-91 lineup. American Dreamer stars Robert Urich as fictional character Tom Nash, formerly a high-powered network correspondent who was forced to reassess his priorities following the death of his wife. He decided to give up his career in order to spend more time with his children. To do this, he moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he supported his family by contributing a column about "real people" to a Chicago newspaper. His editor, Joe Baines, felt Tom was completely wasting his talents and drove out from Chicago weekly to attempt to convince Tom to return the world of "hard news". Other characters included Tom's zany secretary, Lillian Abernathy, and a friendly waitress at Tom's favorite local diner, Holly Baker. This program was extremely low-key. Tom sometimes "broke the fourth wall" to address the viewers directly about his thoughts regarding the situations he encountered. This philosophizing gained only a small audience and the program was cancelled at midseason, although selected episodes were rerun the following summer.

Comedy

3.0 / 5

20th September 1990 - 22nd June 1991
Producer
Gary David Goldberg
Top Cast
Robert UrichCarol KaneChay Lentin
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Production Companies
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Image 0
Image 1

Pilot Still
Pilot
20th September 1990

Episode 1

Tom Nash trades in his network newsman job to write a human interest column for a Chicago newspaper, moving to Wisconsin with his two children. He begins by exploring women's anger toward men by hiring a female assistant and visiting the woman he stood up on prom night.

Guys Just Wanna Have Fun Still
Guys Just Wanna Have Fun
22nd September 1990

Episode 2

Tom attempts to find out why men are not open with their feelings by hosting a bonding party for men.

Flight of the Dodo Still
Flight of the Dodo
29th September 1990

Episode 3

A disillusioned cartoonist (Austin Pendleton) quits his job.

All God's Children Go to Wisconsin Still
All God's Children Go to Wisconsin
6th October 1990

Episode 4

Tom's meeting with an Episcopal cleric causes him to question his current standing as a lapsed Catholic.

Corvette Man Still
Corvette Man
13th October 1990

Episode 5

While Tom considers buying a corvette, Lillian makes plans to remarry her ex-husband.

Over the Hill? Still
Over the Hill?
20th October 1990

Episode 6

Tom's preliminary results of his physical reveal he's in great shape but a chest X-ray casts a spot of doubt, requiring further tests.

Mr. Wizard Still
Mr. Wizard
27th October 1990

Episode 7

Tom Nash begins substitute teaching and discovers it is not easy and happily accepts advice.

Divorce, American Dreamer Style Still
Divorce, American Dreamer Style
3rd November 1990

Episode 8

No overview available.

In from the Cold (1) Still
In from the Cold (1)
10th November 1990

Episode 9

Tom considers writing about his memories and the loss of his wife but his kids consider her a forbidden subject for his column.

In from the Cold (2) Still
In from the Cold (2)
24th November 1990

Episode 10

Tom learns the true identity of Kathleen in the conclusion of a two part episode.

The Fabulous Baker Girls Still
The Fabulous Baker Girls
1st December 1990

Episode 11

Holly's free-spirited sister Drew returns and makes good copy for Tom's newspaper column.

A Face in the Cloud Still
A Face in the Cloud
8th December 1990

Episode 12

No overview available.

Don't Drink the Water Still
Don't Drink the Water
25th May 1991

Episode 13

Tom discovers that Lillian's ex-husband's business is a fraud.

Mother Knows Best Still
Mother Knows Best
1st June 1991

Episode 14

Lillian must live a lie when her mother visits.

Papa Joe Still
Papa Joe
8th June 1991

Episode 15

Joe's weekend with his daughter is spoiled.

Heartbreak Diner Still
Heartbreak Diner
15th June 1991

Episode 16

Tom intervenes in his daughter's crush on a young college student.

They Shoot Ducks, Don't They? Still
They Shoot Ducks, Don't They?
22nd June 1991

Episode 17

Danny disobeys his father and sneaks off to go duck hunting with Bill.