The miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream begins in the 1940s; when Joseph Jackson (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs) and Katherine (Angela Bassett) meet and fall in love; and ends in the 1980s; when their sons reunite for the 1983 Victory Tour that brought them back together as the Jacksons. During the first part; "The Early Years;" the couple starts a family; and although times are tough; Joseph still finds time to play music on the side. When he discovers that his sons have inherited the same talent; the Jackson 5 are born. They sign with Motown and start churning out the gold records. The second part; "The Success Years;" begins in 1970 at the peak of their fame; but by 1976; the hits have started to dry up. If the acting is uneven and the story somewhat sanitized; Bassett is affecting; and the series includes Emmy-winning choreography and a combination of original and re-created material; ranging from "I Want You Back" (1969) to Michael Jackson's "Beat It" (from 1982's multi-platinum Thriller). --Kathleen C. Fennessy