If imitation is really the sincerest form of flattery, then NBC's sleeper hit American Dreams (Sundays, 8 pm/ET) is paying a doozy of a compliment to Hairspray, the 1988 cult-classic movie that's become the toast of Broadway as a musical. Not only do both have a beat and you can dance to 'em, but their story lines are so similar that Dreams executive producer Dick Clark ought to at least give an "inspired by" credit to Hairspray writer-director John Waters.
THE ERA
Hairspray: Early-1960s Baltimore.
American Dreams: Early-1960s Philadelphia.
THE HEROINE:
Hairspray: Chunky Tracy Turnblad, who defies her mother's wishes to achieve her goal of becoming a dancer on The Corny Collins Show.
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