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.
American Dreamer (Season 1)
Pilot 0.0
Air date: 1990-09-20
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: 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 0.0
Air date: 1990-09-22
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tom attempts to find out why men are not open with their feelings by hosting a bonding party for men.
Flight of the Dodo 0.0
Air date: 1990-09-29
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: A disillusioned cartoonist (Austin Pendleton) quits his job.
All God's Children Go to Wisconsin 0.0
Air date: 1990-10-06
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tom's meeting with an Episcopal cleric causes him to question his current standing as a lapsed Catholic.
Corvette Man 0.0
Air date: 1990-10-13
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: While Tom considers buying a corvette, Lillian makes plans to remarry her ex-husband.
Over the Hill? 0.0
Air date: 1990-10-20
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: 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 0.0
Air date: 1990-10-27
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tom Nash begins substitute teaching and discovers it is not easy and happily accepts advice.
Divorce, American Dreamer Style 0.0
Air date: 1990-11-03
Runtime: 30 min
In from the Cold (1) 0.0
Air date: 1990-11-10
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: 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) 0.0
Air date: 1990-11-24
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tom learns the true identity of Kathleen in the conclusion of a two part episode.
The Fabulous Baker Girls 0.0
Air date: 1990-12-01
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Holly's free-spirited sister Drew returns and makes good copy for Tom's newspaper column.
A Face in the Cloud 0.0
Air date: 1990-12-08
Runtime: 30 min
Don't Drink the Water 0.0
Air date: 1991-05-25
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tom discovers that Lillian's ex-husband's business is a fraud.
Mother Knows Best 0.0
Air date: 1991-06-01
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Lillian must live a lie when her mother visits.
Papa Joe 0.0
Air date: 1991-06-08
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Joe's weekend with his daughter is spoiled.
Heartbreak Diner 0.0
Air date: 1991-06-15
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tom intervenes in his daughter's crush on a young college student.
They Shoot Ducks, Don't They? 0.0
Air date: 1991-06-22
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Danny disobeys his father and sneaks off to go duck hunting with Bill.
Seasons
Episodes 17