The essential episodes of American Playhouse
Watch these 12 in order and you've got American Playhouse — each pick states its reason.
- 01
John Cheever's comedy of a supposedly kidnapped five-year-old boy. At first, the police aren't interested until a ransom note is discovered. Then the town goes into action to support the finding of Toby.
- 02
Any Friend of Nicholas Nickleby Is a Friend of Mine
The arrival in a small town of a stranger who calls himself 'Charles Dickens' makes a magical and lasting change in the lives of an imaginative 12-year-old boy and a loving young woman.
- 03
Ken Talley is 32, strong, goodlooking and a Vietnam vet with both legs shot off seven years earlier. His lover Jed is bigger and stronger, a gardner, a good listener. On Independence Day 1977, Ken's home in Lebanon Missouri is visted by his army buddies. Much of their past relationships, pre- and post-Vietnam, must be pulled up and examined before any of them can decide their future.
- 04
A drifting, affluent couple spend a weekend at their country home, where the husband cheats on his complacent wife as they host guests for their son's first birthday.
- 05
The Antrobus family and their housekeeper Lilly Sabina face various global disasters, including a new ice age, a great flood, and a devastating war.
- 06
A young Depression-era reporter is assigned to write his newspaper's advice column on the insistence of his mocking editor. Unhappy in the demeaning assignment, he begins to take an interest in one of the readers sending letters.
- 07
Aspiring writer Nathan Zuckerman visits the secluded home of his literary idol, E.I. Lonoff. While there, Zuckerman becomes entangled in the author's complex domestic life and becomes captivated by a mysterious young woman.
- 08
Flag Purdy, a 'man of many principles', must learn the hard lesson of compromisation in order to keep his wife and children. The 'final straw' comes when the family bring a Christmas tree into his house.
- 09
Louise dreams of traveling the world, but her weak heart and husband Brently's overbearing concern prevent her from doing so. However, news of a train accident changes everything.
- 10
The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket
A young boy is ridiculed by his schoolmates for his eccentric behavior and assertions that he can fly. Little do they know...
- 11
Katherine Gerard has lost her son Andre to AIDS. At his memorial service, we follow Katherine confronting the death of her son, the anguish of his lover Cal Porter, and, in flashbacks, the key moments of denial and miscommunication with those closest to her.
- 12
Shows like American Playhouse
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Drama·Comedy·CrimeThe essential episodes of Fargo2014·FX
Fargo is a seasonal anthology crime drama with some dark comical elements, inspired by the film Fargo written by the Coen brothers. - 02Drama·Comedy·CrimeThe essential episodes of The Rookie2018–present·ABCThe Rookie is inspired by a true story. John Nolan is the oldest rookie in the LAPD.
- 03Drama·Comedy·SportsThe essential episodes of Ted Lasso2020–present
Ted Lasso centers on an idealistic — and clueless — all-American football coach hired to manage an English football club — despite having no soccer coaching experience at all. - 04Drama·Comedy·FoodThe essential episodes of The Bear2022–2026·Hulu
Carmy, a young fine-dining chef, comes home to Chicago to run his family sandwich shop. - 05Drama·Comedy·CrimeThe essential episodes of Tulsa King2022–present·Paramount+
Tulsa King follows New York mafia capo Dwight "The General" Manfredi, just after he is released from prison after 25 years and unceremoniously exiled by his boss to set up shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma. - 06Drama·Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of Shameless2011–2021·Paramount+ with Showtime
Shameless is a fiercely engaging and fearlessly twisted series.
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Episodes, ratings, cast and the full series dossier.
ChartsBest episodesThe highest-rated hours of American Playhouse, ranked.
ChartsRatings graphEvery rated episode of American Playhouse on one chart.
StreamWhere to watchEvery service carrying American Playhouse, region by region.