American Dreamer

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

Seasons

1. Pilot

Air Date: 1990-09-20

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.

2. Guys Just Wanna Have Fun

Air Date: 1990-09-22

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

3. Flight of the Dodo

Air Date: 1990-09-29

A disillusioned cartoonist (Austin Pendleton) quits his job.

4. All God's Children Go to Wisconsin

Air Date: 1990-10-06

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

5. Corvette Man

Air Date: 1990-10-13

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

6. Over the Hill?

Air Date: 1990-10-20

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.

7. Mr. Wizard

Air Date: 1990-10-27

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

8. Divorce, American Dreamer Style

Air Date: 1990-11-03

9. In from the Cold (1)

Air Date: 1990-11-10

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

10. In from the Cold (2)

Air Date: 1990-11-24

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

11. The Fabulous Baker Girls

Air Date: 1990-12-01

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

12. A Face in the Cloud

Air Date: 1990-12-08

13. Don't Drink the Water

Air Date: 1991-05-25

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

14. Mother Knows Best

Air Date: 1991-06-01

Lillian must live a lie when her mother visits.

15. Papa Joe

Air Date: 1991-06-08

Joe's weekend with his daughter is spoiled.

16. Heartbreak Diner

Air Date: 1991-06-15

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

17. They Shoot Ducks, Don't They?

Air Date: 1991-06-22

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

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Rating

6.0/10

Release Date

1990-09-20

Episodes

17 (1 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast

Production Companies

Paramount Television