American Masters

1. S01E01Arthur Miller: Private ConversationsJune 23, 1986—In the period immediately following the end of World War II, American theater was transformed by the work of playwright Arthur Miller. Profo
2. S01E02Phillip Johnson: A Self PortraitJune 30, 1986—One of the major American architectural minds of the twentieth century, Philip Johnson has played an enormous role in both understanding and
3. S01E03Katherine Anne Porter: The Eye of MemoryJuly 7, 1986—
4. S01E04The Unknown Chaplin: Part 1July 14, 1986—
5. S01E05The Unknown Chaplin: Part 2July 21, 1986—
6. S01E06The Unknown Chaplin: Part 3July 28, 1986—
7. S01E07Billie Holiday: The Long Night of Lady DayAugust 4, 1986—
8. S01E08James Levine: A Life in MusicAugust 11, 1986—
9. S01E09Aaron Copland: About the ComposerAugust 18, 1986—Aaron Copland was one of the most respected American classical composers of the twentieth century. By incorporating popular forms of America
10. S01E10Thomas Eakins: A Motion PortraitAugust 25, 1986—
11. S01E11Georgia O'KeeffeSeptember 1, 1986—
12. S01E12Eugene O'Neill: A Glory of GhostsSeptember 8, 1986—

Season 1 ranked & reviewed

1. S02E01Isaac in America: A Journey with Isaac Bashevis SingerJuly 6, 1987—
2. S02E02Directed by William WylerJuly 13, 1987—
3. S02E03Rubinstein RememberedJuly 20, 1987—
4. S02E04Nik and MurrayJuly 27, 1987—
5. S02E05George Gershwin RememberedAugust 24, 1987—
6. S02E06Maurice Sendak: Mon Cher PapaAugust 31, 1987—
7. S02E07The Negro Ensemble CompanySeptember 14, 1987—
8. S02E08Unanswered Prayers: The Life and Times of Truman CapoteSeptember 21, 1987—
9. S02E09The Algonquin Round Table: The Ten Year LunchSeptember 28, 1987—The period that followed the end of World War I was one of gaiety & optimism, and it sparked a new era of creativity in American culture
10. S02E10Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to FollowNovember 18, 1987—Buster Keaton is considered one of the greatest comic actors of all time. His influence on physical comedy is rivaled only by Charlie Chapli
11. S02E11Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow (Part 2)November 19, 1987—
12. S02E12Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow (Part 3)November 20, 1987—

Season 2 ranked & reviewed

1. S03E01Lillian Gish: The Actor's Life for MeJuly 11, 1988—
2. S03E02A Duke Named EllingtonJuly 18, 1988—
3. S03E03Andre Kertesz of the CitiesAugust 8, 1988—
4. S03E04Aretha Franklin: The Queen of SoulAugust 22, 1988—
5. S03E05Rivera in AmericaAugust 29, 1988—
6. S03E06Saint-Gaudens: Masque of the Golden BowlSeptember 5, 1988—
7. S03E07Neil Simon: Not Just for LaughsMarch 8, 1989—
8. S03E08Broadway's Dreamers: The Legacy of Group TheaterJune 26, 1989—

Season 3 ranked & reviewed

1. S04E01Harold Clurman: A Life of TheatreJuly 3, 1989—
2. S04E02Stella Adler: Awake and Dream!July 10, 1989—
3. S04E03Satchmo: The Life of Louis ArmstrongJuly 31, 1989—
4. S04E04James Baldwin: The Price of the TicketAugust 14, 1989—
5. S04E05Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie ParkerAugust 17, 1989—
6. S04E06Jasper Johns: Ideas in PaintSeptember 11, 1989—
7. S04E07Mort Sahl: Shaping LaughterSeptember 18, 1989—In his trademark V-neck sweater, with the day's newspaper tucked under his arm, Mort Sahl has satirized — and entertained — presidents from
8. S04E08W. Eugene Smith: Photography Made DifficultSeptember 25, 1989—
9. S04E09Harold Lloyd: The Third GeniusNovember 15, 1989—
10. S04E10Milos Forman: PortraitDecember 20, 1989—

Season 4 ranked & reviewed

1. S05E01Preston Sturges: The Rise and Fall of an American DreamerJuly 2, 1990—
2. S05E02John CassavetesJuly 9, 1990—
3. S05E03Martin Scorsese DirectsJuly 16, 1990—
4. S05E04You're the Top: The Cole Porter StoryJuly 23, 1990—
5. S05E05Edward R. Murrow: This ReporterJuly 30, 1990—
6. S05E06John Hammond: From Bessie Smith to Bruce SpringsteenAugust 20, 1990—
7. S05E07Sanford Meisner: The Theater's Best Kept SecretAugust 27, 1990—
8. S05E08John Cage: I Have Nothing to Say and I'm Saying ItSeptember 17, 1990—

Season 5 ranked & reviewed

1. S06E01Helen Hayes: First Lady of the American TheatreJuly 1, 1991—
2. S06E02Miracle on 44th Street: A Portrait of the Actor's StudioJuly 8, 1991—
3. S06E03A. Einstein: How I See the WorldJuly 22, 1991—
4. S06E04Sarah Vaughan: The Divine OneJuly 29, 1991—
5. S06E05Frederic Remington: The Truth of Other DaysAugust 5, 1991—
6. S06E06Menuhin: A Family PortraitAugust 12, 1991—
7. S06E07Robert Motherwell and the New York SchoolAugust 26, 1991—
8. S06E08Ray Charles: The Genius of SoulJanuary 3, 1992—
9. S06E09Superstar: The Life and Times of Andy WarholApril 10, 1992—
10. S06E10Waldo Salt: A Screenwriter's JourneyMay 1, 1992—

Season 6 ranked & reviewed

1. S07E01Paul Simon: Born at the Right TimeMarch 14, 1993—
2. S07E02George Lucas: Heroes, Myths & MagicMarch 17, 1993—
3. S07E03D.W. Griffith: Father of FilmMarch 24, 1993—

Season 7 ranked & reviewed

1. S08E01Benny Goodman: Adventures in the Kingdom of SwingDecember 8, 1993—
2. S08E02Martha Graham: The Dancer RevealedMay 13, 1994—

Season 8 ranked & reviewed

1. S09E01Rediscovering Will RogersNovember 30, 1994—
2. S09E02Tennessee Williams: Orpheus of the American StageDecember 19, 1994—
3. S09E03Placido Domingo: A Musical LifeFebruary 15, 1995—
4. S09E04Edgar Allan Poe: Terror of the SoulMarch 22, 1995—

Season 9 ranked & reviewed

1. S10E01Rod Serling: Submitted for Your ApprovalNovember 29, 1995—
2. S10E02William Styron: The Way of the WriterJanuary 22, 1996—
3. S10E03Richard Avedon: Darkness and LightJanuary 24, 1996—
4. S10E04Buckminster Fuller: Thinking Out LoudApril 10, 1996—
5. S10E05Nichols and May: Take TwoMay 22, 1996—

Season 10 ranked & reviewed

1. S11E01Lena Horne: In Her Own VoiceNovember 25, 1996—
2. S11E02Danny Kaye: A Legacy of LaughterDecember 10, 1996—
3. S11E03Man Ray: Prophet of the Avant-GardeApril 9, 1997—
4. S11E04Jack Paar: As I Was SayingMay 7, 1997—
5. S11E05Isamu Noguchi: Stones and PaperJune 25, 1997—

Season 11 ranked & reviewed

1. S12E01The Life and Times of Allen GinsbergSeptember 17, 1997—
2. S12E02VaudevilleNovember 26, 1997—
3. S12E03Billy Wilder: The Human ComedyFebruary 4, 1998—
4. S12E04Lou Reed: Rock and Roll HeartApril 29, 1998—
5. S12E05Don Hewitt: 90 Minutes on 60 MinutesMay 1, 1998—
6. S12E06Alexander CalderJune 17, 1998—

Season 12 ranked & reviewed

1. S13E01Leonard Bernstein: Reaching for the NoteOctober 28, 1998—
2. S13E02The Line King: Al HirschfeldJanuary 6, 1999—
3. S13E03Paul Robeson: Here I StandFebruary 24, 1999—
4. S13E04Robert Rauschenberg: Inventive GeniusApril 7, 1999—
5. S13E05The Lives of Lillian HellmanJune 30, 1999—
6. S13E06Dashiell Hammett: Detective, WriterJune 30, 1999—
7. S13E07Yours for a Song: The Women of Tin Pan AlleyAugust 18, 1999—

Season 13 ranked & reviewed

1. S14E01Hitchcock, Selznick and the End of HollywoodNovember 1, 1999—
2. S14E02Norman Rockwell: Painting AmericaNovember 24, 1999—
3. S14E03Ella Fitzgerald: Something to Live ForDecember 8, 1999—
4. S14E04Paul Taylor: DancemakerJanuary 5, 2000—
5. S14E05Sidney Poitier: One Bright LightFebruary 2, 2000—
6. S14E06Isaac Stern: Life's VirtuosoApril 12, 2000—
7. S14E07The Source: The Story of the Beats and the Beat GenerationMay 31, 2000—

Season 14 ranked & reviewed

1. S15E01Clint Eastwood: Out of the ShadowsSeptember 27, 2000—
2. S15E02Mailer on MailerOctober 4, 2000—
3. S15E03On CukorNovember 22, 2000—
4. S15E04Lucille Ball: Finding LucyDecember 3, 2000—
5. S15E05Bob Marley: Rebel MusicFebruary 14, 2001—
6. S15E06A Conversation with Gregory PeckApril 9, 2001—
7. S15E07Alfred Stieglitz: The Eloquent EyeApril 16, 2001—
8. S15E08Coming to Light: Edward S. Curtis and the North American IndiansApril 23, 2001—

Season 15 ranked & reviewed

1. S16E01Goldwyn: The Man and His MoviesOctober 7, 2001—
2. S16E02F. Scott Fitzgerald: Winter DreamsOctober 14, 2001—
3. S16E03Richard Rodgers: The Sweetest SoundsOctober 21, 2001—
4. S16E04Quincy Jones: In the PocketNovember 18, 2001—
5. S16E05Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun RecordsNovember 28, 2001—
6. S16E06Merce Cunningham: A Lifetime of DanceDecember 16, 2001—
7. S16E07Ralph Ellison: An American JourneyFebruary 19, 2002—
8. S16E08Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a DancerMarch 1, 2002—

Season 16 ranked & reviewed

1. S17E01Willie Nelson: Still is Still MovingOctober 2, 2002—
2. S17E02Lon Chaney: A Thousand FacesOctober 30, 2002—
3. S17E03JuilliardJanuary 29, 2003—
4. S17E04Alice Waters and Her Delicious RevolutionMarch 19, 2003—Alice Waters has made it her mission in life to make sure that people eat beautifully.
5. S17E05Joni Mitchell: A Woman of Heart and MindApril 2, 2003—
6. S17E06Muddy Waters: Can't Be SatisfiedApril 23, 2003—
7. S17E07Robert Capa: In Love and WarMay 28, 2003—
8. S17E08The Education of Gore VidalJuly 30, 2003—

Season 17 ranked & reviewed

1. S18E01Arthur Miller, Elia Kazan and the BlacklistSeptember 3, 2003—
2. S18E02James Brown: Soul SurvivorOctober 29, 2003—
3. S18E03Cary Grant: A Class ApartJanuary 7, 2004—
4. S18E04BalanchineJanuary 14, 2004—
5. S18E05Judy Garland: By MyselfFebruary 25, 2004—
6. S18E06Henry Luce and Time-Life's America: A Vision of EmpireApril 28, 2004—
7. S18E07Hank Williams: Honky Tonk BluesJune 23, 2004—
8. S18E08Julia! America's Favorite ChefAugust 18, 2004—Julia Child was not a natural-born cook - when she married, she could barely boil an egg. But she fell in love with French food, and soon en

Season 18 ranked & reviewed

1. S19E01James Dean: Sense MemoriesMay 11, 2005—
2. S19E02Sweet Honey in the Rock: Raise Your VoiceJune 29, 2005—
3. S19E03George Stevens: A Filmmaker's JourneyJuly 13, 2005—
4. S19E04Bob Newhart: UnbuttonedJuly 20, 2005—
5. S19E05Willa Cather: The Road is AllSeptember 7, 2005—
6. S19E06Ernest Hemingway: Rivers to the SeaSeptember 14, 2005—
7. S19E07Bob Dylan: No Direction HomeSeptember 27, 2005—

Season 19 ranked & reviewed

1. S20E01John Ford/John Wayne: The Filmmaker and the LegendMay 10, 2006—
2. S20E02The World of Nat King ColeMay 17, 2006—
3. S20E03Woodie Guthrie: Ain't Got No HomeJuly 12, 2006—
4. S20E04Marilyn Monroe: Still LifeJuly 19, 2006—
5. S20E05Walter Cronkite: Witness to HistoryJuly 26, 2006—
6. S20E06Andy Warhol: A Documentary: Part 1September 20, 2006—
7. S20E07Andy Warhol: A Documentary: Part 2September 21, 2006—
8. S20E08Sketches of Frank GehrySeptember 27, 2006—
9. S20E09Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a LensJanuary 3, 2007—

Season 20 ranked & reviewed

1. S21E01Novel Reflections on the American DreamApril 4, 2007—
2. S21E02Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet BuiltMay 2, 2007—
3. S21E03Les Paul: Chasing SoundJuly 11, 2007—
4. S21E04David Hockney: The Colors of MusicJuly 18, 2007—
5. S21E05John James Audubon: Drawn from NatureJuly 25, 2007—
6. S21E06Tony Bennett: The Music Never EndsSeptember 12, 2007—
7. S21E07Orozco: Man of FireSeptember 19, 2007—The life of Mexican muralist José Clemente Orozco (1883-1949), a life filled with drama, adversity and triumph, is one of the great stories
8. S21E08Good Ol' Charles SchulzOctober 29, 2007—
9. S21E09Carol Burnett: A Woman of CharacterNovember 5, 2007—

Season 21 ranked & reviewed

1. S22E01Pete Seeger: The Power of SongFebruary 27, 2008—Pete Seeger helped introduce America to its own musical heritage, devoting his life to using the power of song as a force for social change.
2. S22E02Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the SunApril 9, 2008—
3. S22E03Marvin Gaye: What's Going OnMay 7, 2008—
4. S22E04You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet (1923-1935)September 23, 2008—
5. S22E05You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: Good War, Uneasy Peace (1935-1950)September 23, 2008—
6. S22E06You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: A New Reality (1950-1970)September 24, 2008—
7. S22E07You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: Woodstock Notions (1970-1989)September 24, 2008—
8. S22E08You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: The Big Tent (1980-Present)September 25, 2008—
9. S22E09The Brothers WarnerSeptember 25, 2008—

Season 22 ranked & reviewed

1. S23E01Jerome Robbins: Something to Dance AboutFebruary 18, 2009—
2. S23E02Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve PartsApril 8, 2009—
3. S23E03Hollywood ChineseMay 27, 2009—
4. S23E04Neil Young: Don't Be DeniedJune 10, 2009—
5. S23E05Garrison Keillor: The Man on the Radio in the Red ShoesJuly 1, 2009—
6. S23E06TrumboSeptember 2, 2009—
7. S23E07Joan Baez: How Sweet the SoundOctober 14, 2009—
8. S23E08Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind 'Little Women'December 28, 2009—The first film biography about the celebrated author, Louisa May Alcott.

Season 23 ranked & reviewed

1. S24E01Sam Cooke: Crossing OverJanuary 11, 2010—
2. S24E02I.M. Pei: Building China ModernMarch 31, 2010—
3. S24E03The Doors: When You're StrangeMay 12, 2010—
4. S24E04Merle Haggard: Learning to Live with MyselfJuly 21, 2010—
5. S24E05Cachao: Uno MásSeptember 20, 2010—
6. S24E06A Letter to EliaOctober 4, 2010—
7. S24E07Lennon NYCNovember 22, 2010—
8. S24E08Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn GouldDecember 27, 2010—

Season 24 ranked & reviewed

1. S25E01Jeff Bridges: The Dude AbidesJanuary 12, 2011—
2. S25E02Troubadors: Carole King/James Taylor & the Rise of the Singer-SongwriterMarch 2, 2011—
3. S25E03John Muir in the New WorldApril 18, 2011—
4. S25E04James Levine: America's MaestroJune 1, 2011—
5. S25E05Pearl Jam TwentyOctober 21, 2011—
6. S25E06Bill T. Jones: A Good ManNovember 11, 2011—
7. S25E07Woody Allen: A Documentary: Part 1November 20, 2011—
8. S25E08Woody Allen: A Documentary: Part 2November 21, 2011—
9. S25E09Charles & Ray Eames: The Architect and the PainterDecember 29, 2011—

Season 25 ranked & reviewed

1. S26E01Phil Ochs: There But for FortuneJanuary 23, 2012—Explore the iconic 1960s folk-protest music hero's troubled life through his songs and interviews with Joan Baez, Sean Penn, Pete Seeger, To
2. S26E02Cab Calloway: SketchesFebruary 27, 2012—President and Mrs. Obama host an all-star concert that celebrates the great figures of the blues genre, from John Lee Hooker to Muddy Waters
3. S26E03Margaret Mitchell: American RebelApril 2, 2012—Discover the Pulitzer Prize-winning author behind Gone With the Wind, one of the world's best-selling novels that features two of the world'
4. S26E04Harper Lee: Hey, BooApril 2, 2012 9.5Explore the phenomenon behind To Kill a Mockingbird and the mysterious life of its Pulitzer Prize-winning author, including why she never pu
5. S26E05Johnny Carson: King of Late NightMay 14, 2012—Explore the life and career of TV star Johnny Carson through his personal and professional archives.
6. S26E06The Day Carl Sandburg DiedSeptember 24, 2012—Examine the life and work of poet and novelist Carl Sandburg, as well as the controversy surrounding him.
7. S26E07Inventing David GeffenNovember 20, 2012—Learn how David Geffen's widespread influence - in various spheres - helped shape popular culture.
8. S26E08Joffrey: Mavericks of American DanceDecember 28, 2012—Uncover the story of the first quintessentially American dance company, the Joffrey Ballet.

Season 26 ranked & reviewed

1. S27E01Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Godmother of Rock & RollFebruary 22, 2013—Discover the life, music and influence of African-American gospel singer and guitar virtuoso Rosetta Tharpe.
2. S27E02Philip Roth: UnmaskedMarch 29, 2013—Explore the life of Philip Roth, author of Goodbye, Columbus and Portnoy's Complaint.
3. S27E03Mel Brooks: Make a NoiseMay 20, 2013—Laugh as the comedy giant and his friends share never-before-heard stories about his life and career.
4. S27E04Billie Jean KingSeptember 10, 2013—Join tennis star Billie Jean King as she tells her story in the series' first profile of a sports figure.
5. S27E05Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train a Comin'November 5, 2013—Experience guitarist Hendrix's life and music through never-before-seen performances and interviews.
6. S27E06Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did for LoveDecember 27, 2013—Review the exceptional life of Marvin Hamlisch, one of the great artists of our time.

Season 27 ranked & reviewed

1. S28E01SalingerJanuary 21, 2014—Salinger is the first work to get beyond "The Catcher in the Rye" author's meticulously built wall: his childhood, painstaking work methods,
2. S28E02Alice Walker: Beauty in TruthFebruary 7, 2014—"Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth" is the first film biography of writer and activist Alice Walker. Most famous for her seminal novel "The Colo
3. S28E03A Fierce Green FireApril 22, 2014—American Masters: A Fierce Green Fire is the first big-picture exploration of the environmental movement, spanning 50 years of activism. Chr
4. S28E04Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as HimselfMay 16, 2014—Co-founder of The Paris Review, George Plimpton (1927–2003) was a fascinated journalist who lived fully, strangely and incredibly. With Geor
5. S28E05Tanaquil Le Clercq: Afternoon of a FaunJune 20, 2014—Tanaquil Le Clercq (1929–2000) was a star ballerina with the New York City Ballet who greatly influenced choreographers George Balanchine (h
6. S28E06Dorothea Lange: Grab a Hunk of LightningAugust 29, 2014—Her photograph Migrant Mother is one of the most recognized and arresting images in the world, a portrait that came to represent America's G
7. S28E07Joan Rivers: A Piece of WorkSeptember 23, 2014—Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work takes the audience on a year-long ride with Joan Rivers in her 76th year of life; it peels away the mask of an
8. S28E08The Boomer ListSeptember 23, 2014—The baby boomer generation (1946-1964) has significantly and uniquely changed our world. The year 2014 marks an important shift in American
9. S28E09Bing Crosby RediscoveredDecember 2, 2014—Bing Crosby (1903-1977) was the most popular and influential multi-media star of the first half of the 20th century. For more than three dec

Season 28 ranked & reviewed

1. S29E01Ricky Jay: Deceptive PracticeJanuary 23, 2015—This portrait of the inimitable magician Ricky Jay delves into the mysterious world of sleight-of-hand and its small circle of eccentric dev
2. S29E02August Wilson: The Ground on Which I StandFebruary 20, 2015—Unprecedented access to Wilson's theatrical archives, rarely seen interviews and new dramatic readings bring to life his seminal 10-play cyc
3. S29E03Jascha Heifetz: God's FiddlerApril 16, 2015—Discover the story of legendary musician Jascha Heifetz (1901-1987), the first truly modern violin virtuoso. This documentary portrays an ar
4. S29E04American Ballet Theatre: A HistoryMay 15, 2015—Ric Burns' film on the 75-year history of the preeminent ballet company combines rehearsal footage, virtuoso performances and interviews wit
5. S29E05AltheaSeptember 4, 2015—This is the story of Althea Gibson (1927-2003), a truant from the rough streets of Harlem, who emerged as the unlikely queen of the highly s
6. S29E06Pedro E. Guerrero: A Photographer's JourneySeptember 18, 2015—An exclusive interview with Mexican-American photographer Pedro E. Guerrero explores his life and work. He collaborated with iconic American
7. S29E07The Women's ListSeptember 25, 2015—Meet 15 women who define contemporary American culture in Timothy Greenfield-Sanders' new "List" film featuring Madeleine Albright, Margaret

Season 29 ranked & reviewed

1. S30E01Mike Nichols: An American MasterJanuary 29, 2016—Meet one of America's late, great directors, Mike Nichols (The Graduate, Angels in America), who discusses his life and 50-year artistic car
2. S30E02B.B. King: The Life of RileyFebruary 12, 2016—B.B. King, born Riley B. King, was one of the most influential and celebrated blues musicians of all time. Director Jon Brewer worked on the
3. S30E03Carole King: Natural WomanFebruary 19, 2016—King tells her story in the new documentary American Masters – Carole King: Natural Woman that weaves previously unseen and rare performance
4. S30E04Fats Domino: The Birth of Rock N' RollFebruary 26, 2016—One of the most popular rockers of the 1950s and early 60s, Fats Domino and his record sales were rivaled then only by Elvis Presley. With h
5. S30E05Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain GirlMarch 4, 2016—Inducted into more music Halls of Fame than any female singer to date, Loretta Lynn has earned four Grammy Awards, Kennedy Center Honors and
6. S30E06Janis Joplin: Little Girl BlueMay 3, 2016—Janis Joplin thrilled audiences and blazed new creative trails before her death at age 27 in 1970. Oscar-nominated director Amy Berg examine
7. S30E07The Highwaymen: Friends Till the EndMay 27, 2016—Discover the story behind the pioneering outlaw country music supergroup that featured Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris
8. S30E08Norman Lear: Just Another Version of YouOctober 25, 2016—Largely responsible for the explosion of bold American television in the 1970s, writer/producer Norman Lear's name is synonymous with the si
9. S30E09Eero Saarinen: The Architect Who Saw the FutureDecember 27, 2016—Explore the life of Eero Saarinen (1910-1961), whose visionary buildings include National Historic Landmarks such as St. Louis' iconic Gatew

Season 30 ranked & reviewed

1. S31E01By Sidney LumetJanuary 3, 2017—Prolific and versatile filmmaker Sidney Lumet made 44 films in 50 years, earning the Academy Honorary Award for lifetime achievement after f
2. S31E02Maya Angelou: And Still I RiseFebruary 21, 2017—Distinctly referred to as "a redwood tree, with deep roots in American culture", Dr. Maya Angelou led a prolific life. She inspired generati
3. S31E03Patsy ClineMarch 4, 2017—Born Virginia Patterson Hensley in Winchester, Virginia, Patsy Cline (September 8, 1932 - March 5, 1963) defined modern country music by usi
4. S31E04James Beard: America's First FoodieMay 19, 2017—Today's American food movement can be traced back to one man: cookbook author, journalist, television celebrity and teacher James Beard.
5. S31E05Jacques Pépin: The Art of CraftMay 26, 2017—Jacques Pépin is known as a kitchen supernova, a working whirlwind of creative energy even at 80 years old, but his surprising journey began
6. S31E06Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be MeAugust 16, 2017—Sammy Davis, Jr. had the kind of career that was indisputably legendary, so vast and multi-faceted that it was dizzying in its scope and sca
7. S31E07Richard Linklater: Dream is DestinySeptember 1, 2017—Slacker. Indie filmmaker. Oscar nominee. Writer, director, producer, actor Richard Linklater is all these things and more, a poster boy for
8. S31E08Tyrus WongSeptember 8, 2017—Until his death at the age of 106, Tyrus Wong was America's oldest living Chinese American artist and one of the last remaining artists from
9. S31E09Edgar Allan Poe: Buried AliveOctober 30, 2017 9.3Best known for his Gothic horror tales and narrative poem "The Raven", Poe's stories are the basis of countless films and TV episodes, and h
10. S31E10Inspiring Woman Web SeriesNovember 8, 2017—Six innovators tell their own stories and explain how they're changing their respective industries: podcast host Tracy Clayton, Chef Angie M
11. S31E11This Is Bob Hope...December 29, 2017 10.0Explore the entertainer's life with unprecedented access to his personal archives including writings voiced by Billy Crystal, clips from his

Season 31 ranked & reviewed

1. S32E01Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling HeartJanuary 19, 2018—Explore the inner life and works of the activist, playwright and author of "A Raisin in the Sun", Lorraine Hansberry. Narrated by actress La
2. S32E02Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr StoryMay 18, 2018 9.5Produced by Reframed Pictures in association with American Masters, the new documentary Bombshell: The Hedy Lamar Story explores how Lamarr'
3. S32E03Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever LivedJuly 23, 2018—A profile of Major League Baseball hall of famer and Boston Red Sox player Ted Williams (1918-2002), including his complex relationships wit
4. S32E04Eva HesseAugust 31, 2018—Discover the 1960s art world icon who changed art history and women's place in the picture.
5. S32E05Everybody Knows... Elizabeth MurraySeptember 7, 2018—Follow the artist's journey from impoverished childhood to maverick artist, voiced by Meryl Streep.
6. S32E06Andrew WyethSeptember 7, 2018—Uncover the hidden depths and complex inner life of the iconic artist you thought you knew. With his life's work as a background, examine hi
7. S32E07Basquiat: Rage to RichesSeptember 14, 2018—Discover the anonymous New York graffiti artist turned '80s art world rock star.
8. S32E08ItzhakOctober 14, 2018—Explore the life of the famous Jewish violinist, a transcendent performer and polio survivor.

Season 32 ranked & reviewed

1. S33E01Decoding WatsonJanuary 2, 2019—Meet James Watson, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist behind the double helix as he confronts his complex legacy. With unprecedented access t
2. S33E02Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be MeFebruary 19, 2019—Sammy Davis, Jr. had an indisputably legendary career that was vast in scope and scale. His life was also complex, complicated and contradic
3. S33E03Charley Pride: I'm Just MeFebruary 22, 2019—See how country star Charley Pride used music to triumph over prejudice and injustice.
4. S33E04Holly Near: Singing for Our LivesMarch 1, 2019—Experience the power of song in the fight for equality through the feminist singer-activist's story.
5. S33E05Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the PeopleApril 12, 2019—Discover the man behind the award.
6. S33E06Garry Winogrand: All Things are PhotographableApril 19, 2019—Discover the life and work of Garry Winogrand.
7. S33E07Terrence McNally: Every Act of LifeJune 14, 2019—Explore the six-decade career of four-time Tony Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally.
8. S33E08Robert Shaw - Man of Many VoicesJune 21, 2019—Follow the journey of one of the greatest choral music conductors in the world, Robert Shaw.
9. S33E09Worlds of Ursula K. Le GuinAugust 2, 2019 8.5Explore the legacy of the feminist author who transformed U.S. literature with her science fiction.
10. S33E10Raul Julia: The World's a StageSeptember 13, 2019—Discover the life of charismatic Puerto Rican actor Raul Julia, known for his versatile roles.
11. S33E11Rothko: Pictures Must Be MiraculousOctober 25, 2019—Discover the art world giant whose color fields changed art history, and now fetch millions.
12. S33E12N. Scott Momaday: Words from a BearNovember 18, 2019—

Season 33 ranked & reviewed

1. S34E01Miles Davis: Birth of the CoolFebruary 25, 2020—Discover the man behind the legend. With full access to the Miles Davis Estate, the film features never-before-seen footage, including studi
2. S34E02Mae West: Dirty BlondeJune 16, 2020—Dive into the life and career of groundbreaking writer, performer and subversive star Mae West.
3. S34E03Toni Morrison: The Pieces I AmJune 23, 2020—An artful and intimate meditation on the legendary storyteller that examines her life and works.
4. S34E04And She Could Be Next Part TwoJune 30, 2020—A story of a defiant movement of women of color, transforming politics from the ground up.
5. S34E05Unladylike2020: The ChangemakersJuly 10, 2020—Mark the women's suffrage centennial with stories of pioneering women who shaped American politics.
6. S34E06Walter Winchell: The Power of GossipOctober 20, 2020—Meet the columnist who created the fast-paced, politically charged journalism that dominates today.
7. S34E07Michael Tilson Thomas: Where Now IsOctober 23, 2020—Discover the Grammy-winning conductor, pianist, composer and National Medal of Arts recipient.
8. S34E08Keith Haring: Street Art BoyDecember 11, 2020—Explore the definitive story of international art sensation Keith Haring who blazed a trail through the art scene of ‘80s New York and revol
9. S34E09Laura Ingalls Wilder: Prairie to PageDecember 29, 2020—Explore the life of the unlikely author whose books helped shape American ideas of the frontier.

Season 34 ranked & reviewed

1. S35E01How It Feels To Be FreeJanuary 18, 2021—A documentary that tells the inspiring story of how six iconic African American women entertainers – Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone,
2. S35E02Flannery O'ConnorMarch 23, 2021—Explore the world of a literary icon whose provocative fiction was unlike anything published before.
3. S35E03Twyla MovesMarch 26, 2021—Explore legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp's career and famously rigorous creative process, with original interviews, first-hand glimpses o
4. S35E04Never Too Late: The Doc Severinsen StoryApril 2, 2021—Explore the career of Doc Severinsen, bandleader to "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.".
5. S35E05Oliver Sacks: His Own LifeApril 9, 2021—Dive into the life of the neurologist and author who helped redefine our understanding of the brain.
6. S35E06Amy Tan: Unintended MemoirMay 3, 2021—The life and career of author Amy Tan, with archival imagery, home movies, photographs, animation and original interviews.
7. S35E07Ballerina BoysJune 4, 2021—The story of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, a company of men who dance on pointe as ballerinas.
8. S35E08Buddy Guy: The Blues Chase the Blues AwayJuly 27, 2021—The career of blues guitarist Buddy Guy, a pioneer of Chicago's West Side sound, and his influence on rock musicians including Jimi Hendrix
9. S35E09Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For ItOctober 5, 2021—Discover how Moreno defied her humble upbringing and racism to become one of a select group of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winners. E
10. S35E10Becoming Helen KellerOctober 19, 2021—

Season 35 ranked & reviewed

1. S36E01AileyJanuary 11, 2022—The life and career of choreographer Alvin Ailey, whose dances focus on the Black experience, interviews with those close to him and a glimp
2. S36E02Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her HandsFebruary 8, 2022—Exploring the life and legacy of singer Marian Anderson and her work as an advocate for the civil rights advocate.
3. S36E03Waterman - Duke: Ambassador of AlohaMay 10, 2022—Narrated by Jason Momoa, discover the inspiring story and considerable impact of five-time Olympic medalist Duke Kahanamoku. He shattered sw
4. S36E04Joe Papp in Five ActsJune 3, 2022—Joe Papp, founder of The Public Theater, Free Shakespeare in the Park and producer of groundbreaking plays like "Hair," "A Chorus Line" and
5. S36E05Brian Wilson - Long Promised RoadJune 14, 2022—Explore the life and career of the singer, songwriter and co-founder of The Beach Boys. The film traces the legendary performer's journey of
6. S36E06Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It OnNovember 22, 2022—Experience the story of the Oscar-winning Indigenous artist from her rise to prominence in New York's Greenwich Village folk music scene thr
7. S36E07The Adventures of Saul BellowDecember 12, 2022—Explore Nobel Prize winner Saul Bellow's impact on American literature and how he navigated through issues of his time, including race, gend
8. S36E08Groucho & CavettDecember 27, 2022 7.5Discover the enduring friendship between television personality Dick Cavett and his mentor iconic comedian Groucho Marx. Their relationship

Season 36 ranked & reviewed

1. S37E01Roberta FlackJanuary 24, 2023—American Masters: Roberta Flack follows the piano prodigy and one-time school teacher, from her start in a Washington, D.C. piano lounge thr
2. S37E02Dr. Tony FauciMarch 21, 2023—Follow Dr. Anthony Fauci as he grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic and his 50-year career as the nation's leading public health advocate. Am
3. S37E03In the MakingMarch 24, 2023—Opera singer J'Nai Bridges returns to the stage in "A Knee on the Neck," a tribute to George Floyd; country artist Rissi Palmer works on a n
4. S37E04Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TVMay 16, 2023—See the world through the eyes of Nam June Paik, the father of video art and coiner of the term "electronic superhighway". Born in Japan-occ
5. S37E05Little Richard: The King and Queen of Rock and RollJune 2, 2023—Experience the meteoric rise and enduring legacy of Little Richard. With appearances by Keith Richards, Ringo Starr, Big Freedia and more, t
6. S37E06Jerry Brown: The DisrupterSeptember 15, 2023—Experience the political and personal journey of Jerry Brown, the longest serving governor in California history. First elected at 36 years
7. S37E07Floyd Abrams: Speaking FreelySeptember 22, 2023—Follow the 50-year career of preeminent First Amendment lawyer Floyd Abrams. See how his landmark cases—from the Pentagon Papers to Citizens
8. S37E08A Song for CesarSeptember 29, 2023—Trace the life and legacy of labor activist Cesar Chavez. Through interviews with Maya Angelou, Joan Baez, Carlos Santana and more, see how
9. S37E09Max Roach: The Drum Also WaltzesOctober 6, 2023—Experience the groundbreaking sounds of bebop pioneer and virtuoso composer Max Roach, whose far-reaching ambitions were inspired and challe

Season 37 ranked & reviewed

1. S38E01HOPPER: An American Love StoryJanuary 2, 2024—Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper's most iconic and enigmatic works. Known for "Nighthawks" and other evocative paintings of America
2. S38E02Daniel Patrick MoynihanMarch 29, 2024—Discover the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator and diplomat Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Going beyond the "Moynihan Report," President Joe
3. S38E03The Incomparable Mr. BuckleyApril 5, 2024—Discover the intellectual evolution and political legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr. See how the author and commentator, one of the foremost
4. S38E04Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 FramesAugust 27, 2024—Explore the story of director, screenwriter and producer Blake Edwards, known for cinema classics such as "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "Days of
5. S38E05Julia Alvarez: A Life ReimaginedSeptember 17, 2024—Explore the story of Dominican-American poet and novelist Julia Alvarez, who burst onto the literary scene and blazed a trail for a generati
6. S38E06Brenda Lee: Rockin' AroundDecember 16, 2024—Discover the story behind singer Brenda Lee's iconic songs and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her artistry across pop

Season 38 ranked & reviewed

1. S39E01The Disappearance of Miss ScottFebruary 21, 2025—Learn about jazz virtuoso and screen superstar Hazel Scott, the first Black American to have their own television show. An early civil right
2. S39E02LIZA: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True StoryApril 1, 2025—Take an intimate look into the life of Liza Minnelli, the iconic actress best known for her Oscar-winning performance in Cabaret. Following
3. S39E03Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My MuseApril 15, 2025—Explore the work of cartoonist Art Spiegelman and the impact of his Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel Maus, about his parents' survival o
4. S39E04Janis Ian: Breaking SilenceJune 20, 2025—Trace the rise of iconic singer-songwriter Janis Ian, a fearless voice in folk music and gay rights advocate whose groundbreaking songs incl
5. S39E05Hannah Arendt: Facing TyrannyJune 27, 2025—Discover the life and work of Hannah Arendt, one of the most influential political writers of the 20th century. She transformed her time as
6. S39E06MarcellaJuly 11, 2025—Discover how celebrated cookbook writer Marcella Hazan shaped Italian cuisine in America. Arriving in New York having never cooked, challeng
7. S39E07Marlee Matlin: Not Alone AnymoreOctober 14, 2025—Take an intimate look at the life of actress Marlee Matlin as she shares her story in her native American Sign Language. At 21 years old, Ma
8. S39E08Starring Dick Van DykeDecember 12, 2025 9.5Celebrate the life and career of legendary actor Dick Van Dyke on his 100th birthday. Known for films like "Bye Bye Birdie," "Mary Poppins,"

Season 39 ranked & reviewed

1. S40E01Ten Times BetterDecember 16, 2025—The astonishing and heartwarming story of George Lee, a pioneering Asian dancer who originated a featured role in George Balanchine's The Nu
2. S40E02Elie Wiesel: Soul on FireJanuary 27, 2026—Learn about Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize-winning author of Night. After his internment at the Auschwitz Concentrati
3. S40E03Sun Ra: Do the ImpossibleFebruary 20, 2026—Discover the extraordinary life of poet, philosopher and music visionary Sun Ra. With his ever-evolving collective, the Sun Ra Arkestra, he
4. S40E04Bella! This Woman's Place Is in the HouseMarch 17, 2026—Follow the meteoric rise of firebrand politician and activist Bella Abzug. Considered one of the first feminists to be elected to Congress,
5. S40E05W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a CauseMay 19, 2026—
6. S40E06Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the WorldAugust 25, 2026—Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Mary Oliver. Shaped by a solitary childhood and rising literary fame, Oliver

Season 40 ranked & reviewed