Young Americans (TV series):
Young Americans was an American television drama on The WB network created by Steven Antin. The show debuted in 2000 as a summer replacement for, and spin-off from, another Columbia TriStar Television production; Dawson's Creek in three episodes at the end of that series' third season.
The show explores themes of forbidden love, morality and social classes.
[edit] Plot summary
The show is set in the town of New Rawley at a tiny boarding school, Rawley Academy.
The plot focuses mainly on Will's moral dilemmas and the forbidden love of Scout and Bella.
The characters Jake and Hamilton are explored in a storyline that until the last two episodes has very little to nothing to do with any of the other main characters.
- Rodney Scott as Will Krudski, a poor but brilliant young man who cheated on the entrance exam to ensure his admission and with a complicated relationship to his father. The character was first introduced in the episodes "Stolen Kisses", "The Longest Day" and "Show Me Love" of Dawson's Creek where he briefly dates Andie McPhee. When leaving Capeside, Will's friend Pacey Witter offers the advice "Avoid public nudity, stay off drugs, don't murder anyone and don't sleep with any of your teachers," the last piece motivated with "it never works out as well as you think."
- Mark Famiglietti as Scout Calhoun, Will's roommate at Rawley Academy. Scout meets, and dates, Will's old friend Bella.
- Katherine Moennig as Jake Pratt, a discontent teenage girl who masquerades as a boy.
- Ian Somerhalder as Hamilton Fleming, a student at the school and the son of the dean. Hamilton finds himself confused by his attraction to Jake.
- Kate Bosworth as Bella Banks, Will's childhood friend. A pretty townie torn between Scout and fellow New Rawleyian, Sean.
- Ed Quinn as Finn, coach of the rowing team and teacher.
[edit] Notable guest appearances
[edit] Episodes
[edit] "Pilot" (unaired)
There are some differences between the unaired pilot and the first aired episode "The Beginning". One difference includes Jeremy Sisto as Finn.
[edit] "The Beginning"
Written by Steven Antin, Directed by James Whitmore, Jr.
Will settles in at Rawley Academy, where the teacher Finn learns a secret Will shared with Scout. When Scout's dating Bella turns serious, Mr. Banks explains why he won't allow it. The rowing team's cox Jacqueline "Jake" Pratt (Moennig), who also has a secret, makes a profound impression on Hamilton. Hamilton is surprised by this and starts to question his own sexual orientation.
[edit] "Our Town"
Written by Steven Antin, Directed by James Whitmore, Jr.
Will agonises over telling best friend Sean about his attending the summer session at Rawley Academy. Scout is introduced to Will's old friends at Sean's party. Bella gets upset when Scout tells her that he wants to tell his father about her. Sean misreads the situation and a brawl ensues. Hamilton lets Jake know that he's not into guys. Jake's bike is confiscated by the groundskeeper and Hamilton offers to help get it back.
[edit] Guest cast
[edit] "Kiss and Tell"
Written by Kerry Ehrin, Directed by Perry Lang.
Will and returned student Ryder accidentally see Finn kissing the dean's wife. Will finds himself in a position where he has to choose between protecting Finn or himself. Scout has a hard time stopping thinking about Bella, but then Paige, a long time friend of Scout's family, turns up. Scout asks Paige out on a date to the newly restored drive-in theater. Lena, an LA resident visiting Rawley Academy, hears about the drive-in and invites Jake to join her and Hamilton.
[edit] Guest cast
[edit] "Cinderbella"
Written by Anne McGrail, Directed by James Whitmore, Jr.
Will asks Bella to join him for the Summer Cotillion to impress on Caroline. Hamilton and Jake agree to go alone together, an agreement which is broken when Lena asks Hamilton to go with her.
[edit] Guest cast
[edit] "Winning Isn't Everything"
Written by Andi Bushell & Jim Praytor, Directed by Mel Damski.
Scout's father, senator Calhoun, makes an unexpected visit for parents' weekend and the regatta. As does Jakes mother. Will's conflict with his father deepens and Bella contemplates meeting senator Calhoun.
[edit] "Gone"
Written by Laura Wolner & Greg Berlanti, Directed by James Whitmore, Jr.
Bella writes a confessing letter to senator Calhoun and hides it in her jacket, which her younger sister, Grace, subsequently borrows and loses. Ryder finds himself in possession of Will's laptop. Jake and Hamilton go on a date and are confused as to who should pick up the tab or ride the "bitch pad" of Jake's bike.
This episode is narrated by Kate Bosworth as Bella Banks.
[edit] Guest cast
[edit] "Free Will"
Written by Ellen Byron & Lissa Kapstrom, Directed by Robert M. Williams, Jr.
Bella receives a birthday present from her mother but is unsure how to relate to it. Will's request to tutor has been approved. Will is surprised to learn who he will tutor and what has changed since they last met. Hamilton suggests moving in with Jake so that they can spend more time together.
[edit] Guest cast
[edit] "Will Bella Scout Her Mom?"
Written by Steven Antin & Joe Voci, Directed by James Whitmore, Jr.
Will learns that the funding for his scholarship has been withdrawn. Bella's father receives a phone call informing him that the gas station is up for auction, and Bella seeks out her mother to put the deed in her father's name. Jake's masquerade comes to an abrupt halt. At the end of the episode, Will gets new funding, and is allowed to remain at school for the fall.
- While this episode is clearly meant to serve as the introduction for the fall season of the show, Young Americans was canceled before any additional episodes could be produced.
[edit] Guest cast
[edit] Theme song
The lyrics of the theme song "Six Pacs" by The Getaway People from the album Turnpike Diaries was changed at the request of the producers to remove the original reference to cigarettes.
Six packs and Big Macs keep us rolling down the road
Cigarettes and coffee, wherever we go
Learn to appreciate those simple little things
And open up our arms to what the road may bring
[...]
People all around us, they shower us with love
You better keep it coming 'cause we just can't get enough
Where would we be without a little love?
You can't get by without a little love
Everybody needs a little bit of love, sometimes
(You bring the pack, and we bring the six pack)
– Lyrics from the unmodified version of Six Pacs
Throw all your backpacks, we'll be rolling down the road
Big dreams and wild schemes, wherever we go
People all around us, they shower us with love
You better keep it coming 'cause we just can't get enough
Where would we be without a little love?
You can't get by without a little love
Everybody needs a little bit of love, sometimes
– Lyrics from the modified/full opening theme version of Six Pacs
Joe Voci, the show's executive producer, said in an interview with VH1.com that "Unlike other teen shows that are angst-driven, ours is about a group of kids who want to do the right things, and how they handle the obstacles they're presented. The song presented a mood, tone and feel that is optimistic and implies a sense of adventure."[1]
[edit] Production
[edit] Casting
Katherine Moennig, who played Jacqueline Pratt, is a cousin of Gwyneth Paltrow.
[edit] Airing
When Dawson's Creek went on hiatus in the summer of 2000, Young Americans occupied its timeslot of Wednesdays at 8 P.M. Repeats were shown at 8 P.M. on Fridays.
[edit] Sponsoring
The Coca-Cola Company was the primary sponsor, the show being billed as "Coca-Cola Presents Young Americans". Young Americans was profiled by Steve Carell on the August 22, 2000, episode of The Daily Show in the Ad Nauseam segment due to the Coca-Cola tie ins.
The product is seen or mentioned in several episodes. The pilot episode even featured a scene that was reshot in order to show the characters drinking Coca-Cola.
[edit] Promotion
- A scene from the Pilot, which was heavily promoted prior to the show's premiere, where the characters and other students at Rawley run in slow motion to the school's lake while stripping off their clothes was parodied in another WB show, Grosse Pointe.
[edit] Cancellation
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ "Young Norwegians Hope 'Young Americans' Will Be Big Break". VH1.com, June 23, 2000. Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
- Josef Adalian and Michael Fleming. "WB seeks 'Young' blood". Daily Variety, December 13, 1999.
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