LOOKING AT THIS show from the perspective of a boomer who was then nearing the 50 year mark, it came across as an exceptional series. It had a lack of pretension and none of that manufactured irony, that so easily permeates any series that purports to being Hoistorical in nature.
IT WAS THE brainchild of DICK CLARK PRODUCTIONS and certainly must be the old MC of American BANDSTAND's greatest dramatic project. As with most of the highly successful and critically acclaimed films & series, the premise is simple, straightforward and lacking self conscious need to be "important."
CASHING IN ON Producer Dick Clark's well known association with the aforementioned American BANDSTAND, the show was set in Philadelphia, where BANDSTAND originated. Among the story's characters, being a 'regular' dancer on American BANDSTAND was the ultimate dream. Being that it was broadcast 5 days a week, Monday-Friday, it became all important.
ENTER THE ELEMENT of time. As the weeks and years intervene, the kids find themselves uncontrollably set on collision course with the reality of maturity, the burdens of adulthood and residence in the cold, cruel world.
ACTING AS THE propellant in this uncontrollable tailspin was the specter of the Vietnam War. Starting with the defeat of France in Indochina at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, the United States got involved with "Military Advisors." As the years went by and troop levels steadily increased, getting the U.S. into more and more of a combat role.
AND THIS IS the very crux of the series; being how the involvement by our forces forever changed us as a people. This is a premise that could have easily veered toward one extreme position or another; either being obviously pro or con.
AS WE OBSERVED, the series tried very hard to maintain its neutrality; which was something that Uncle Sam could not afford to do.
IT WAS THE brainchild of DICK CLARK PRODUCTIONS and certainly must be the old MC of American BANDSTAND's greatest dramatic project. As with most of the highly successful and critically acclaimed films & series, the premise is simple, straightforward and lacking self conscious need to be "important."
CASHING IN ON Producer Dick Clark's well known association with the aforementioned American BANDSTAND, the show was set in Philadelphia, where BANDSTAND originated. Among the story's characters, being a 'regular' dancer on American BANDSTAND was the ultimate dream. Being that it was broadcast 5 days a week, Monday-Friday, it became all important.
ENTER THE ELEMENT of time. As the weeks and years intervene, the kids find themselves uncontrollably set on collision course with the reality of maturity, the burdens of adulthood and residence in the cold, cruel world.
ACTING AS THE propellant in this uncontrollable tailspin was the specter of the Vietnam War. Starting with the defeat of France in Indochina at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, the United States got involved with "Military Advisors." As the years went by and troop levels steadily increased, getting the U.S. into more and more of a combat role.
AND THIS IS the very crux of the series; being how the involvement by our forces forever changed us as a people. This is a premise that could have easily veered toward one extreme position or another; either being obviously pro or con.
AS WE OBSERVED, the series tried very hard to maintain its neutrality; which was something that Uncle Sam could not afford to do.