I was a little apprehensive about this show when I read its summary but it surprised me with its depth and its controversial subjects. The relationships in this show start out very oddly and sometimes uncomfortably but they are deeper relationships than most shows today. It is definitely worth watching for those who were fans of the OC but got tired of its increasingly twisted relationships. Some of the couples in this show are admittedly a tad different but they never really got the chance to become as incestuous as the OC did. I have to say that Katherine Moennig and Ian Somerhalder are my favorite actors in this show. Their characters Jake (Jacqueline) and Hamilton have relationship that is instantly interesting and it just gets better with each episode.
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sarah_stovel17 May 2008
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Jezebell31 March 2003This was such a great show on the WB. The intricate and fun story script and the excellent acting made the show worth keeping. I watched this show from beginning to end. 10 times better than any Dawson's Creek drama. Too bad they didn't continue...I would have definitely watched.
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sourapple18 March 2004I first heard about this show back in 2000 because of Rodney Scott and his guest appearance at Dawson's Creek. I am not a fan of Dawson's Creek, but there were a lot of articles on Seventeen/YM/Teen on this "summer series" and articles related to the show and DC, and so I got intrigued when they finally aired it in here. It was fresh, funny and extremely interesting. But I didn't know that it suddenly got canceled without WB finishing the story. After seeing the 8th episode I thought, "Well, I hope they air the next season!" To my dismay, there was no next season. ARGH. Agonies of life. If they were going to cancel it, at least close the story! Open endings suck.
Anyway, this is a really unique show. The characters are interesting, although the only storyline I'm REALLY interested is Jake and Hamilton's story.
It's such a shame that we'll never know what happened to Jake and Hamilton, Scout and Bella and the dramatic life of Will Krudski. Please make a DVD! -
ickygrub19 August 2010Astonishingly, "Young Americans" (hereafter "YA"), a failed summer teen TV series, rewards critical attention by yielding up an artfully masked burden for adults on such themes as the relationships between passion and compassion, between youth and maturity, between descriptive and normative truth, between what we want and what we need, and between realism and idealism in art.
Like many traditional "children's stories," YA has both a naive meaning for children – in this case, teenagers -- and a distinct albeit complementary meaning for grown-ups. However, YA is structured so that its "grown-up" meaning is impossible to understand fully on first viewing; the key that unlocks that meaning, while hinted at from the first scenes of its first episode, it is not clearly revealed until the end of its last episode. This has its reason: appreciation of YA's grown-up meaning is greatly enhanced by having first appreciated only its meaning for children, just as an adult's appreciation of fairy tales is enhanced by having first heard them as a child.
So, until you have watched YA at least once, do not read this review past this paragraph. Instead, go watch YA. Regrettably, no "authorized" recording of YA has ever been released, either in tape or in DVD form; all versions of YA now online or on DVD originate from viewer recordings. However, all eight episodes, in the original English-language version, are now accessible online at YouTube, either in whole-episode clips on the channel of "Alienious" or in shorter clips on the channel of "Granadaville." Neither of those channels comments on YA's meaning for grown-ups. Avoid, until subsequent viewings, my "IckyGrub" channel on YouTube, where the whole series is made available with better visual quality and in a more complete form, but where both the video clips and the commentaries on them are intended to facilitate "grown-up" understanding of "Young Americans."
The key that unlocks YA's grown-up meaning is an understanding of its narrator's perspective. Will Krudski, the narrator, is a grown-up reliving his youth in the present (2000). Krudski, in YA, is both character and narrator, both young and old at once, and consequently, YA's time-setting is ambiguous; it seems set both in the summer of 2000, its ostensible setting, and at some earlier time no later than 1973, when YA's creator, Steve Antin, was fifteen years old, the age of YA's protagonists.
This temporal ambiguity is disturbingly evident from the very start of YA. Why is a drama ostensibly set in New England in the year 2000 set at two institutions, a gender-segregated prep school and a full-service gas station, that largely vanished from New England in the 1970s? Why is that gas station full of equipment and vehicles dating from the middle of the 20th century? Why does the ubiquitous Coca-Cola (YA's sponsor) come in glass bottles rare in the USA for decades before 2000, and why is it dispensed from a 1930s-model Coke refrigerator? How can a drama ostensibly narrated in the present include events of which the narrator has no contemporary awareness? These questions are answered only by a seemingly casual shift in the tense of Krudski's narration, at the end of YA's last episode, from present to past: "I knew I'd never forget that summer." As Antin said in a press interview in July 2000, YA is both "about young people at that time of life when the possibilities seem endless ... and about the moments of life when you look back on your youth."
However, Krudski is not reliving his youth as he first lived it; rather, he is reliving it as youth should be, in the hope of recovering youth's passion for "exceeding expectations," of overcoming the complacency of maturity. Rawley Academy, YA's main setting, is Kruski's dream of an ideal youth, "the perfect people, the perfect life something that wasn't meant for me." Although the protagonists generally seem too good to be true, Rawley's motto redefines "truth" as "virtue" rather than descriptive accuracy, underscoring YA's commitment to idealism rather than realism.
The core of the moral rejuvenation that Krudski seeks, and that YA seeks to inspire in viewers, is ability to love more "truly." The nature of "true love" is the central theme of YA, which develops it by retelling in young ways what Antin called "classic stories" of true love, by rejuvenating myths of true love, which, in turn, rejuvenate us morally. YA's "true love" story-line, in which an emotionally desperate cross-dressing straight girl, 'Jake' Pratt, finds an emotional savior, Hamilton Fleming, the son of Rawley's dean, retells in a young way two such myths: "Orpheus and Eurydice" and "The Frog Prince." In Antin's version of "The Frog Prince," cross-dressing replaces a magical enchantment as the "test of true love" that renders the beloved physically repugnant. Antin's Orpheus, Fleming, personifies compassion rather than passion, exemplifying first compassion's ability to give birth to passion, and then its need to mask itself as passion in order to be effective. Against the bulk of Western tradition since St. Paul, e.g., against Andres Nygren, Denis de Rougement, and Dostoyevsky in "The Idiot," but with Martin D'Arcy, Antin suggests that passion and compassion are complements, and that we might love more truly if we understood this. Interestingly, the current Pope, in his 2005 encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est," takes the same side as Antin in this ancient debate.
Rawley being a bit of heaven on earth, Providence works more clearly and quickly in YA than in our world; evil reliably brings forth good, and the protagonists invariably get what they need, whether it be what they want or not. But perhaps if we loved more truly, Providence might operate more clearly and quickly in our world, too.
The great mystery of YA is why Steve Antin labored so artfully to infuse so much grown-up meaning into a teen TV series, of which few viewers were likely even to perceive it. Perhaps one day he'll tell us. -
When I started watching this series I was instantly taken by the sweetness, seriousness and interesting lives of the kids' characters. A refreshing change from other WB series' characters with little substance to offer viewers. Indeed, how could the WB not have closed the series with resolutions? "Young Americans" is my favorite WB series other than "Dawson's Creek" (very different story lines). A thread that interests me is the intriguing possibilities of the Senator due to how he spent his Rawley years. Mrs. Krudski's 'looks' continue to make me wonder every time Will mentions the nice man who let him drive the neat car in the Parking Lot. Might she have also dated the good Senator? Will (beautifully & sensitively played by Rodney Scott, a young actor with THE most perfect face, ever, and a sensitivity and intelligence which makes me feel angry toward his father for his seeming disinterest in his own incredible son), to me, is the most interesting character as he is the glue that brings everyone around him, together - might he ever resolve his differences at home with Dad? Can winning, confident and handsome Scout ever be completely sure of his father (The Senator), again? The Senator seems like a nice man who may have had a youthful indiscretion! Will Bella, perfectly played by Kate Bosworth, ever find the illusive answer to her biological question? Her mother's abandonment has been tough on her (and stepfather, Charlie.) Small a role as Charlie the mechanic has, I like him immensely for the love and respect he shows Bella, his adopted step-daughter! Will Jacqueline (Jake) reveal her 'Rawley' identity to her mother? Will Hamilton's parents resolve their differences? Mother and Finn, well, excuse me! Etc., etc., etc. I feel that the WB made a HUGE mistake not continuing the series wounding me severely when they canceled it! It might easily have lasted several seasons for its intelligent writing, directing and acting. Steven Antin, what wonderful writing you usually do - though, nothing comes up to the concept of YA. Since, it was cancelled, perhaps, one fine day, you'll be able to get the same actors to play the same roles some years into their futures. All of us who love these characters and story would be right there to see what happened to them, to a person! So many characters including: Will's best childhood friend, also, interested in Bella, Sean; and Finn, who, also, hails from New Rawley - the town. WB, please, put the 8 episodes out on DVD!!! Also, perhaps one day you'll divulge WHY you canceled it??? The truth! Numerous International fans are interested!!!
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The WB was foolish in not continuing this show. It was so wonderful and it is a shame most didn't see the fruits of creative and hard labor.
Young Americans was truly just an amazing show. It was beautiful. Everything about it. The cast, the writing, even its cinematography was good.
This show was rich with drama, realistic interaction, and honesty.
This was so well done with great friendships, a beautiful and moving romance story, and a challenge to society all in just a few episodes.
This show challenged sex, social norms, and institution.
I loved this show and I wish it had not ended. But then again its end meant that it could not be ruined. -
aryannair-4087818 July 2020Best series ever if you watch you will be addicted must watch series funny, friends . It is mainly based on friendship of friends complications happen .
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"Young Americans" was my favorite TV show mini series of all time. Each of the characters were interesting and developed very natural and I became a fan within the first fifteen minutes of the first episode.
Each episode of the series, which was set at a boy's college, contained some very positive lessons that were thoughtfully presented by the Professor Finn so as not to 'preach'.
Over the course of the 8 episodes that aired we became intimately involved in the lives of these people and became involved with them.
The WB Network really did not thoughtfully give this series a fighting chance, there were weeks when the show did not air in it's set time slot, which I believe is a must, if you want to develop an audience, and it was almost impossible to find out when it was going to be on, unless you watched The WB 24 hours a day and were lucky enough to catch the one or two promos for the next airing.
Unfortunately we will never know what happened in the interwoven lives of these characters because it was cancelled after only 8 sporadic episodes.
It would be nice if WB would put it out on DVD, as far as the music rights, the music was promoted on each episode, and if any of it is still available today, I would think the artists and labels (much of which was WB Records) should welcome the new publicity. -
lenettepigen12 May 2006I loved this series it is so sad that they didn't make another season of it. It had something else than other series it was great to see something else. I would love to have this series on DVD, does anybody now where to get it. and the soundtrack to. I love the drama about Jake and Hamilton, the idea is great and different to anything else i have seen. it makes also some fun when they are trying to hide their affair so that the others don't find out that their having one. I would love if they made one more season and i think there are others who would love it to i haven't found a series since that i loved so much, i don't even loved Beverly Hills that much anymore since i saw Young Americans!!
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Swaie9 April 2005I agree with the comments, I really loved the show and was devastated to hear that it wouldn't be finished. I thought it was a fresh new script and characters. I really fell in love with the show and characters, and not knowing what happens to them is annoying, sad, crushing, frustrating and devastating. And it wasn't just a show for teenagers, my mum who where 36 watched the show to and loved it; oh I'm so mad it ended the way it did. And i cant find it on DVD ether, because even though it was only 8 episodes, I would nothing more then to have them and be able to watch them over ands over again.
I even wrote a letter to Steven Antin, but I never mailed it. I thought what would the thought of on teenager matter. But one good thing has come of the show, every character got a great star in showbiz. Ian is making a lot great movies and is at the moment on the hit show "Lost", Katherine in on the hit show "The L word", Kate is making moves like "Win a date with Tad Hamilton" and so on. I wanna wish them, the best of luck and for the WB, WHY?? -
websurfer768511 June 2006This was an excellent show. I don't know why it did bad in the ratings. Maybe there was some sort of mix up. I was very disappointed when they cancelled it. But they can at least release it on DVD to make up for ripping out our hearts when they took it off they air.
I think the acting was great. Kate Moennig did a wonderful job in her challenging role.
I love Ian Somerhalder. One of the main reasons I became interested in Lost was because I saw that he was going to be in it and I remembered him from this show.
Young Americans was the kind of show that made you feel something. It had a way of awakening you. I would love for them to bring it back. But unfortunately that is very unlikely to happen.
If they do ever release this show on DVD, I recommend that you get it. Especially if you've never seen it before. Then you can see what I'm talking about. -
hishamwwe11 March 2022Rodney Scott was born on February 17 in Washington DC, at age 44, and Ian Somerhalder was born Ian Joseph Somerhalderon December 8 in Covington, Louisiana, at age 43. As Rodney Scott and Ian Somerhalder are playing The Role William Krudski, and Hamilton Fleming.
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RebelRaccoon113 June 2023Absolutely fabulous show about young people and their experiences as they grow up and go to school. I wish there were more seasons but sometimes good things don't last. There's a unique atmosphere attached to Young Americans and it brings back so many memories. Young Americans deals with many issues and I love the references to different authors like Emerson. It provides depth and meaning to the story as they're relevant to what the characters go through. I loved Will and Bella, also Ed their teacher. Everyone was quite a multi layered character who you wanted to succeed. You don't want to miss out on this.
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wolfhell887 August 2002What a great TV show. Thank God this is not "Beverly Hills 90210" and not "Dawsons Creek". It is more serious, romantic, warm-hearted, told with humor and without any stereotypes. Good actors like Ed Quinn who plays a great teacher called Mr. Finn and good stories make "Young Americans" a lot better than usual Teenie-Soaps. The first three episodes have the sensitive songs of Nick Drake in the background. Unfortunately this great show ended after 8 episodes. A TV series that talks about Thoreau, Emerson and Whitman seems a bit too intellectual for a Teenie-show. I wish that one day the producers and the audience will find out how good it was and will continue with the stories.
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Willow19216 January 2002This show was a breathe of fresh air to the dreadful WB lineup. It had it all, originality, good actors, and creativity. It's a shame that it was canceled because it was so much different from that pretentious crap that the WB plays (7th Heaven, Dawson's Creek). I don't know what the WB was thinking when the canceled it.
All of the actors actually had talent and I hope they go on to do great things. A standout was Katherine Moening as Jake. I've never seen the concept of a girl posing as a boy. This was very creative even though the reason for this was kind of lame. And then her and Hamilton's relationship was great because they had trouble of hiding it and everyone thought that they were gay.
I think the only summer show that actually survived was 90210. It's a shame that this show didn't do the same because it was actually good. 9 out of 10 stars. -
Kelly-154 August 2000This is an amazing new WB show that actually has some depth! I am completely addicted to the characters of Jake (Katherine Moennig) and Hamilton (Ian Somerhalder) and their entire plotline. They play their characters so convincingly that it borders on disturbing when you remember that Jake is a girl and Ian used to be a model. Odd. By far one of the best WB shows. I'm hooked, and it only took 1 episode.
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Mag-1330 August 2000Completely distracting: beautiful, young white people with doe eyes that drink in the rural, summer Connecticut sunlight that's reflecting off the peaceful lake where all the main characters take English classes on the docks after a tastefully sweaty session of rowing (crew). A sex farce: to rebel against her mother, Jacqueline dons a boob-girdle and attends Rawley, an exclusive boys high school. The dean's son, Hamilton, falls in love with "Jake" and she with him. "Ham," played by Guess Jeans model Ian Somerhalter, and whose blue eyes are lit from the inside, thinks he's gay for loving "him," and is relieved when Jake looses the trusses one night.
Beautiful townie girl: one brown eye, one blue eye, and a thin layer of peach/melon lipstick on her soft lips at all times, you can't stop looking at Bella. She falls in love with Scout, a Rawley boy whose pleading eyes won't quit. Unfortunately, she discovers early on, he's her half-brother. Scout played Keith Partridge last year according to IMDB.
Will, the townie narrator who has scholarshipped his way into a summer session in this Rawley world, draws everyone together. He also played Will, Dawson's friend and pool shark, in a latter Dawsons Creek episode.
This show practically ruined my summer. Every Wednesday I had to be in front of the television. And the funny thing is, almost none of these actors has acted before. Am I nuts? I am a 45-year-old woman. These people are living my childhood fantasy! English on the docks!
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minako_aino6922 June 2004I may not be in your generation, but i can definitely sympathize. I watched that show religiously every week all summer long and fell in love with Ian Somerhalder who I had only seen in magazines before. I was absolutely crushed when in the fall the WB did not continue the show, and doubly so when the following summer they did not resume it.
I do not think you are crazy for watching it, it was a very well done show with well-casted characters; I just think The WB was extremely dumb to not have continued it.
I mean, 'Buffy' was originally just a "fill-in" show not supposed to go more than 12 episodes or so, and now here it is just NOW ending after like 7 or 8 seasons. I'll never understand television producers and their reasoning. -
I just wanted to say that I just saw the series and as from the first five minutes I was already ADDICTED to it!!!! I especially LOVED the the role of 'Jake and Hamilton'.. I think that 'Young American' is really great and that its a sham that there is not second season.. I would have really loved to continuer watching it and it surely changes from 'Buffy..' and all the rest.. Hope that there will be more seasons to come.. :)
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hunnam555 September 2001A Very good show. I think this TV-series and Dawson's Creek is the best TV-shows for young people. I hope this TV-series will play for a very, very long time. I also like the acting. It's great! When Charlie Hunnam (Queer as folk & Byker Grove) came to the show everything were much better. I saw this TV-series first in England. When I was home last christmas in Skövde, Sweden (I come from there) did I discover that Young Americans not had been shown on swedish TV. I was so disappointed! Very Well, I'll give this TV-series *****/5, IT'S THE BEST!!!
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NienorNiniel4 October 2002This was really one of the best shows I've ever seen. And some great upcoming actors appeared which hopefully have a great career in future. And what I really appreciated was, that they didn't talk like university teachers with 50-years life experience like e.g. the teenagers of Dawson's Creek. I don't understand why the WB didn't continue this fantastic show. It's really a pity. But I'm looking forward to seeing some of the actors in movies the next years.
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jeffbt26 August 2000I've truly enjoyed this first of I hope many seasons. The show has great twist and turns to keep you wondering, what's next?
Already looking forward to next season. Keep up the nice work. -
I don't understand why this show was canceled! With the wonderful storylines that were going on everyone was tied to their TVs! After the season finale I couldn't wait till the next season! It never came back though... I'm very dissapointed and hope there is SOME way the show could come back!
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zeldazoe25 March 2001Well in general I can only say that the most overlooked show has to be WB´s Young Americans.
It seems they had no idea what they were doing when they created this *monster*. They intended it to be a summer show and didnt at all realize the potential of neither Steven Antin as a script writer nor the outrageous fan response following the premier.
Finally we got a well written, intelligent teen drama with fantastic storyline and dialogue and they cancel it. I dont know if I should laugh or cry?
Ratings are great worldwide, fan response outrageous, sponsors ready to go... what are the networks waiting for?
They have here an already marketed show with viewers ranging between 13-35. The networks should fight to pick up this brilliant show. Isnt there anyone out there that is aware of the vast number of European, Canadian and Australian fans that since watching the show in jan-feb 2001 have joined the huge number of American fans in appreciation of this show?
I am very disappointed in the WB. When networks stop listening to their viewers they lose them.
Sincerely yours
Zoe -
com-31 July 2001A fresh, light, summertime plot with a great soundtrack. What is Warner Bros' marketing department thinking of? Where are the DVD, the double CD of the soundtrack?
This is one of those rare teen shows where you want to see and hear more. If the opportunity arises, take it.