I'll take the heavy-handed product placement and all the gratuitous skin shots in the world for a drama that celebrates academic accomplishment and tries to communicate to its teen viewers the danger, exhilaration and joy of daring to exceed social-class expectations. [12 Jul 2000]

What a tacky way to begin the show. But things get better as the premiere goes on, and as the series goes on, who knows? They might even get good.

The only sparkle comes from Bosworth, who seems to be aware that "Young Americans" might work better as spoof than as semiserious drama. [12 Jul 2000]

A bubbling stew of raging hormones, buff bodies and the culture shock of rich meets poor. [12 Jul 2000]

The show could turn out to be one of those guilty pleasures like the early years of Dynasty or Melrose Place — a show that's fun because it is so melodramatic and dumb.

Time marches on, or crawls very slowly, if you happen to be watching Young Americans. [12 Jul 2000, p.D01]

Just when you thought the teen melodrama was completely played out, along comes another trite "Dawson's Creek" clone to cause cringes of annoyance and pangs of distress. [12 Jul 2000]