The Jacksons: An American Dream

The Jacksons are your average working-class family in Gary, Indiana; but when their father Joseph discovers the kids have an extraordinary musical talent, they form a band. Winning talent show after talent show, they soon hit it big when Motown comes calling. From there, they become the now famous Jackson 5. But along the way, their success brings trouble and turmoil.

The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992) is a US television miniseries created by Joyce Eliason for ABC. Spanning two long episodes, it dramatizes the true story of a working-class family in Gary, Indiana, whose children discover their musical gift when their father Joseph Jackson (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs) pushes them into the talent show circuit. Angela Bassett plays their mother Katherine Jackson, a steady presence behind the ambition, while Billy Dee Williams portrays Motown founder Berry Gordy, the record executive who signs the group. Jason Weaver plays young Michael Jackson, with Bumper Robinson and Terrence Howard as Jackie across different ages. The engine of the story is the grinding rehearsal, the endless bus rides and motel nights, and the hunger for a break that turns a local act into the Jackson 5. Each episode moves through stage shows, label negotiations and family arguments as success arrives and brings its costs. The tone is earnest and emotionally heavy, with warmth in the family bonds and unease in the household pressures. Set in the Motown era of 1960s and 1970s America, it sits in the tradition of music biopics such as Ray and Elvis, and fans of Dreamgirls will find its mix of Black American music history and showbiz drama familiar.

Audiences rated this 1992 miniseries positively, praising its warm and emotionally engaging account of the Jackson family's rise to fame.

• Rayshared true story biographical drama about a musical family's rise and inner turmoil
• Elvisshared biographical miniseries about a music act's rise and family strain
• Dreamgirlsshared Motown era music biography with family and industry pressure

Created by

Joyce Eliason

Release Date

1992-11-15

Episode runtime

139 min

Rating

7.5 / 10 (58)

What is The Jacksons: An American Dream about?

A working-class Gary, Indiana family's musical talent turns them into the Jackson 5, and their Motown success brings trouble and turmoil.

What is The Jacksons: An American Dream like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Jacksons: An American Dream as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is The Jacksons: An American Dream violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Jacksons: An American Dream as mild.

What did critics think of The Jacksons: An American Dream?

Audiences rated this 1992 miniseries positively, praising its warm and emotionally engaging account of the Jackson family's rise to fame.

Which shows are like The Jacksons: An American Dream?

Shows with a similar feel include Ray, Elvis, and Dreamgirls.

How long is The Jacksons: An American Dream?

The Jacksons: An American Dream: 1 season, 2 episodes.

Is The Jacksons: An American Dream still running?

No, The Jacksons: An American Dream has ended.