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Tampa spawns a starlet
By LOGAN D. MABE, Times Staff Writer CARROLLWOOD -- Survivor Jan Gentry isn't the only north Hillsborough denizen making a splash on prime time television these days. Tonight a national audience will see Gaither High School junior Brittany Snow star in NBC's new family drama American Dreams. Snow plays a teenage Philadelphia girl whose dream is to become a regular dancer on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. The story plays out against the backdrop of the turbulent 1960s, the rise of the civil rights movement, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and the insurgence of rock 'n' roll. It's the pull of that rhythmic music that causes a rift in the typical American family. Snow's character finds herself at odds with the cranky dad, who forbids her from pursuing her dancing dreams. American Dreams premieres at 8 tonight on WFLA-Ch. 8. While the show debuts in American homes, Snow is busy at work in Los Angeles filming follow-up episodes. She is up to the seventh episode and going strong. "It's great," said Brittany's mother, Cinda Snow of Carrollwood Village, who stays with her while shooting on the West Coast. "Everybody is just wonderful today. They're having Usher on the show, and they had Nick Carter of the Back Street Boys on the sixth episode. They're trying to get name stars of today to play name stars of yesterday." Brittany is meeting some other pretty big-name stars. She was a guest on Jay Leno's Tonight Show Wednesday night. Cinda Snow said Brittany has been keeping a rigorous schedule over the past few months, with shooting calls coming at 6 a.m. on most days and the work ending about 9 p.m. Somewhere in between Brittany has to find time for at least three hours of schoolwork to keep up with her class back at Gaither. "She's taking advanced classes and has to take her SATs," Cinda Snow said. "She has long days, but she's enjoying them." If American Dreams turns into a hit, Brittany could have a long run in prime time. And one where she won't have to worry about being voted off the program. -- Logan D. Mabe can be reached at 269-5304 or at mabe@sptimes.com.
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From the Times |
