In 1963 Philadelphia, the Pryors are a close Irish-Catholic family. World War II veteran John "Jack" Pryor owns a television and radio store. He and his homemaker wife Helen have five children: High school senior and football player "JJ", younger sisters Meg and Patty, and younger brother Will, who is lame from polio.

The show depicts historical events, such as the assassination of John F. Kennedy, 1964 Philadelphia race riot, and American involvement in—and opposition to—the Vietnam War.