Those phone calls and e-mails paid off big time for local fans of the NBC series “American Dreams.” No one in Kansas City could watch the show's Nov. 30 episode because the local NBC affiliate pre-empted it for a movie. Dozens of viewers complained, but most simply assumed that the show wasn't airing that night or that there was nothing they could do except wait for the rerun. However, in an unusual gesture to the show's intensely loyal fan base, the network and the company that produces “American Dreams” have rented a Kansas City venue to show the unseen episode on a movie screen.

“It's easy for us to do something like this,” said the creator and executive producer of “American Dreams,” Jonathan Prince. “At a time when people are saying TV doesn't care about them, we thought it would be great to show them we do.” Radio station Oldies 95, KCMO-FM (94.9) is giving out passes to the screening, set for 7 p.m. Saturday at Screenland, 1656 Washington St.

Set in the 1960s, “American Dreams” revolves around a strict Catholic family in Philadelphia and the popular TV show “American Bandstand.” The series, which made its debut in September 2002, is best known for enticing modern music stars to dress up as pop icons of that era. Singer Kelly Rowland portrayed Martha Reeves performing her hit “Nowhere to Run” last season, and a coming episode features Chris Isaak as Roy Orbison warbling his classic “Pretty Woman.”

The episode that didn't air on KSHB, Channel 41, was part of a crucial three-episode story arc in which J.J. Pryor, played by Will Estes, was on the verge of leaving for Vietnam with the Marines. KSHB pre-empted the show for the 1990 film “Another 48 Hrs.,” starring Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte. The station had scheduled the two-hour pre-emption months in advance. Though Prince said he “hit the roof” when he learned of the pre-emption, he calmed down after reading an article in The Kansas City Star explaining Channel 41's predicament. “They probably made the right decision,” Prince said. “We called the general manager at the NBC station in Kansas City and said, ‘We'd like to do the ultimate make-good. I think we should offer the opportunity to see this.'”

Jim Swinehart, KSHB's general manager, said that his station has not been involved in plans for the local screening. “American Dreams” is rare among prime-time programs in that it is a serialized drama, like a soap opera, with story lines that unfold over weeks and months. “It is not the large audience watching ‘Fear Factor' and ‘Law & Order,' but it is loyal and passionate about the show,” Prince said.

Estes, who has been to Kansas City numerous times to visit his mother's family, described the episode that will be screened Saturday as “not an action-packed show, but it's one of my favorites.” Also in the episode, 44-year-old Richie Sambora — a founding member of the rock group Bon Jovi — impersonates 19-year-old Eric Clapton performing “For Your Love” as a member of the Yardbirds.

Reach Aaron Barnhart at (816) 234-4790 or tvbarn.com.

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First glance

• The “Long Goodbye” episode of NBC's “American Dreams,” which was pre-empted in Kansas City on Nov. 30, will be shown at 7 p.m. Saturday at Screenland, 1656 Washington St., one block west of Broadway. KCMO-FM (Oldies 95) is giving away all the tickets. Call (913) 514-3000 for information.

• “American Dreams” was on hiatus in December and will return to NBC at 7 p.m. Sunday on KSHB, Channel 41.