Floyd Abrams: Speaking Freely

HOPPER: An American love story
S38 Ep1 | 1m 2s
Air Date: 01/02/24

Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works.

Edward Hopper’s career soared as wife Jo Nivison’s faltered
S38 Ep1 | 2m 31s
Air Date: 01/02/24

Edward Hopper's career soared while his wife Jo Nivison's faltered.

Edward Hopper’s simple lifestyle with wife Jo
S38 Ep1 | 1m 55s
Air Date: 01/02/24

Edward and Jo Hopper lived an extremely frugal life.

Edward Hopper’s work showed a narrow view of New York
S38 Ep1 | 2m 39s
Air Date: 01/02/24

Edward Hopper showed no interest in the growing diversity of America.

A closer look at Edward Hopper’s “Automat” and “Chop Suey”
S38 Ep1 | 1m 59s
Air Date: 01/02/24

Edward Hopper displayed a preference for quieter social commentary with his art.

Rare interview footage of Edward Hopper on his process
S38 Ep1 | 29m 7s
Air Date: 01/02/24

Edward Hopper joins Brian O'Doherty for a conversation about his process and inspirations.

Edward Hopper’s childhood in Nyack, New York
S38 Ep1 | 2m 3s
Air Date: 01/02/24

Edward Hopper was raised in Nyack, where his creativity was fostered by his parents.

HOPPER: An American love story (EAD + ASL + OC Trailer)
S38 Ep1 | 2m 10s
Air Date: 01/02/24

Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works.

Moynihan
S38 Ep2 | 2m 49s
Air Date: 03/29/24

Discover the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator and diplomat Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

Explaining the “Moynihan Report”
S38 Ep2 | 6m 3s
Air Date: 03/29/24

In 1965, Daniel Patrick Moynihan released the controversial "Moynihan Report."

Daniel Patrick Moynihan on going “beyond the melting pot”
S38 Ep2 | 2m 40s
Air Date: 03/29/24

Daniel Patrick Moynihan's book transformed how ethnicity was viewed in America.

Moynihan on working with Nixon across party lines
S38 Ep2 | 2m 23s
Air Date: 03/29/24

Against advice, Daniel Patrick Moynihan took a job as Richard Nixon's domestic advisor.

When William F. Buckley, Jr. ran for mayor of New York City
S38 Ep3 | 2m 56s
Air Date: 04/05/24

William F. Buckley, Jr. ran for mayor of New York City under the Conservative Party.

William F. Buckley, Jr.’s relationship with wife Patricia
S38 Ep3 | 2m 5s
Air Date: 04/05/24

William F. Buckley, Jr. and his wife Patricia had a brazen, but loving relationship.

Buckley’s Yale criticism fueled the conservative movement
S38 Ep3 | 1m 47s
Air Date: 04/05/24

Yale administration feared Buckley's outspoken criticism of the university.

William F. Buckley, Jr.’s early childhood life
S38 Ep3 | 3m 4s
Air Date: 04/05/24

William F. Buckley, Jr. grew up in Great Elm, a sprawling estate located in Sharon, Conn.

The Incomparable Mr. Buckley
S38 Ep3 | 2m 31s
Air Date: 04/05/24

Discover the intellectual evolution and political legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr.

Exclusive Preview: Who was William F. Buckley, Jr.?
S38 Ep3 | 10m 12s
Air Date: 04/05/24

Watch the first ten minutes of The Incomparable Mr. Buckley in this sneak preview.

The Incomparable Mr. Buckley (AD + ASL + OC Trailer)
S38 Ep3 | 2m 47s
Air Date: 04/05/24

Discover the intellectual evolution and political legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr.

5 Firing Line moments that are still relevant today
S38 Ep3 | 15m 34s
Air Date: 04/05/24

This Firing Line compliation shows Buckley in conversation with five of his most memorable guests.

Roberta Flack
S37 Ep1 | 35s
Air Date: 01/24/23

Discover music icon Roberta Flack’s rise to stardom and triumphs over racism and sexism.

Clint Eastwood loved “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”
S37 Ep1 | 2m 42s
Air Date: 01/24/23

Clint Eastwood loved Roberta Flack's song "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face."

How Roberta Flack created soul with “getting-togetherness”
S37 Ep1 | 2m 43s
Air Date: 01/24/23

Roberta Flack performed with all of that soulful "getting-toggetherness."

The origin of Flack’s hit “Killing Me Softly With His Song”
S37 Ep1 | 2m 27s
Air Date: 01/24/23

How Roberta Flack made "Killing Me Softly With His Song" her own.

Roberta Flack was a child piano prodigy
S37 Ep1 | 2m 9s
Air Date: 01/24/23

Growing up, Roberta Flack was known as a piano prodigy who "could play anything."

Dr. Tony Fauci
S37 Ep2 | 2m 18s
Air Date: 03/21/23

Join Dr. Anthony Fauci as he reflects on his life and career as a public health advocate.

How Dr. Fauci handled the AIDS crisis
S37 Ep2 | 4m 34s
Air Date: 03/21/23

Dr. Fauci's relationship with AIDS activists changed throughout the years.

Dr. Fauci’s security
S37 Ep2 | 1m 46s
Air Date: 03/21/23

Since the spring of 2020, Dr. Fauci has had 24/7 security.

Dr. Fauci visits D.C. to battle vaccine hesistancy
S37 Ep2 | 7m 2s
Air Date: 03/21/23

Dr. Fauci and the mayor of D.C. encourage residents to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr. Fauci on retiring
S37 Ep2 | 2m 2s
Air Date: 03/21/23

Dr. Anthony Fauci sits down with his wife, Dr. Christine Grady, to discuss retiring.

In The Making
S37 Ep3 | 3m 53s
Air Date: 03/24/23

Follow two performers as they break down barriers in opera and country music.

The history of Black artists in country music
S37 Ep3 | 2m 20s
Air Date: 03/24/23

Black musicians have always had a place in the history of country music.

The nomadic life of an opera singer
S37 Ep3 | 2m 38s
Air Date: 03/24/23

J'Nai Bridges talks about the pros and cons of life as an opera singer.

Preparing for a final opera performance
S37 Ep3 | 3m 5s
Air Date: 03/24/23

In this outtake from "J'Nai Bridges Unamplified," J'Nai prepares for a final appearance.

Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV
S37 Ep4 | 2m 31s
Air Date: 05/16/23

See the world through the eyes of Nam June Paik, the father of video art.

Nam June Paik’s communication problem
S37 Ep4 | 45s
Air Date: 05/16/23

Nam June Paik describes how everyday is a communication problem for him.

Nam June Paik’s early art
S37 Ep4 | 42s
Air Date: 05/16/23

In Zen for Head (1962), Nam June Paik used his body as an instrument in the performance.

Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll
S37 Ep5 | 28s
Air Date: 06/02/23

Experience the meteoric rise and enduring legacy of Little Richard.

The king and queen of rock ‘n’ roll—and Sunset Boulevard
S37 Ep5 | 1m 33s
Air Date: 06/02/23

By 1985, Little Richard had abandoned rock 'n' roll and was living in a hotel in L.A.

Little Richard preaches the gospel
S37 Ep5 | 2m
Air Date: 06/02/23

Little Richard had a fervid relationship with religion.

The origins of “Tutti Frutti”
S37 Ep5 | 1m 41s
Air Date: 06/02/23

Little Richard first originated the famous refrain in "Tutti Frutti" at the Dew Drop Inn.

Big Freedia on Little Richard, music and the queer community
S37 Ep5 | 13m 48s
Air Date: 06/02/23

Artist Big Freedia reflects on the similarities between herself and Little Richard.

Jerry Brown: The Disrupter
S37 Ep6 | 2m 8s
Air Date: 09/15/23

Experience the political and personal journey of California governor Jerry Brown.

The moment Jerry Brown found politics
S37 Ep6 | 1m 15s
Air Date: 09/15/23

While at the Governor's Mansion, Jerry Brown overheard his father talking politics.

Jerry Brown’s second shot at governor
S37 Ep6 | 2m 12s
Air Date: 09/15/23

Jerry Brown runs for governor a second time and becomes the oldest sitting governor in CA.

How Watergate changed the political landscape
S37 Ep6 | 1m 4s
Air Date: 09/15/23

Journalist Todd Purdum floated the idea of Jerry Brown running for governor.

The history of the First Amendment
S37 Ep7 | 2m 48s
Air Date: 09/22/23

"We were making up, in a sense, First Amendment law as we went along," said Floyd Abrams.

When The New York Times published the Pentagon Papers
S37 Ep7 | 2m 22s
Air Date: 09/22/23

The New York Times sought the legal counsel after publishing the Pentagon Papers.

The case that protected corporate spending in elections
S37 Ep7 | 2m 26s
Air Date: 09/22/23

Learn how the First Amendment protects independent spending by corporations in elections.

Dan Abrams on defending his father’s work on Citizens United
S37 Ep7 | 3m 40s
Air Date: 09/22/23

Dan Abrams discusses how he admires his father for working on cases he may not agree with.

A Song for Cesar
S37 Ep8 | 1m 52s
Air Date: 09/29/23

See how Cesar Chavez and the farmworkers’ movement were influenced by music and the arts.

Cesar Chavez’s love of jazz and pachuco culture
S37 Ep8 | 3m 27s
Air Date: 09/29/23

Civil rights activist Cesar Chavez expressed an interest in music from an early age.

The music of America’s farmworkers
S37 Ep8 | 3m 10s
Air Date: 09/29/23

Daniel Valdez created a bolero song from the poem "Brown-Eyed Children of the Sun."

Peaceful protest with Joan Baez
S37 Ep8 | 2m 31s
Air Date: 09/29/23

Singer Joan Baez was one of the peaceful protesters of the farmworkers’ movement.

How the farmworkers’ movement used concerts to fundraise
S37 Ep8 | 3m 40s
Air Date: 09/29/23

Jim Cassell organized concerts as fundraisers for the farmworkers’ movement.

Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes
S37 Ep9 | 1m 6s
Air Date: 10/06/23

Experience the groundbreaking sounds of bebop pioneer and virtuoso composer Max Roach.

Documenting the legacy of drummer Max Roach
S37 Ep9 | 2m 28s
Air Date: 10/06/23

Director Sam Pollard was captivated by the life story of drummer and activist Max Roach.

How Max Roach created the experimental sound of M’Boom
S37 Ep9 | 2m 12s
Air Date: 10/06/23

Max Roach founded M'Boom, a jazz group made up of experimental percussionists.

How Max Roach fused jazz and hip hop
S37 Ep9 | 2m 47s
Air Date: 10/06/23

Max Roach was excited by the premise and promise of rap when it first hit the music scene.

Rare footage of Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln’s collaboration
S37 Ep9 | 25m 51s
Air Date: 10/06/23

Take a peek inside Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln’s musical process in this exclusive.

José Clemente Orozco: Hombre de Fuego (En Español)
S37 Ep10 | 40s
Air Date: 10/07/23

El artista José Clemente Orozco (1883-1945) encabezó el movimiento muralista en México.

La chispa que encendió el interés de Orozco por hacer arte
S37 Ep10 | 1m 25s
Air Date: 10/07/23

Orozco quedó cautivado por el trabajo del artista mexicano José Guadalupe Posada.

La historia de “Hidalgo y la Independencia Nacional”
S37 Ep10 | 1m 50s
Air Date: 10/07/23

Orozco pintó uno de los murales públicos más icónicos de México.

Las pinturas de Orozco fueron destruidas en los EE. UU.
S37 Ep10 | 1m 19s
Air Date: 10/07/23

Las pinturas de Orozco fueron destruidas por agentes de aduana en los EE. UU.

How Bella Abzug elevated feminist causes while in office
S37 Ep11 | 2m 15s
Air Date: 10/31/23

While in Congress, Bella Abzug elevated feminist causes.

Bella Abzug defines what’s missing in our democracy
S37 Ep11 | 1m
Air Date: 10/31/23

Bella Abzug went on the "Dinah!" show and questioned what was missing in our democracy.

Bella! This Woman’s Place is in the House
S37 Ep11 | 2m 45s
Air Date: 10/31/23

Follow the meteoric rise of firebrand politician and activist Bella Abzug.

Ailey
S36 Ep1 | 1m 1s
Air Date: 01/11/22

The story of a visionary artist who found salvation through dance.

Rennie Harris on the power of the choreographer
S36 Ep1 | 57s
Air Date: 01/11/22

Rennie Harris describes how choreographers are responsible for their dancers.

Alvin Ailey on Chauncey Green, the friend who saved his life
S36 Ep1 | 2m 56s
Air Date: 01/11/22

Ailey describes his "blood memories" and an impactful friendship.

Ailey’s “Revelations” draws on African American spirituals
S36 Ep1 | 2m 24s
Air Date: 01/11/22

Ailey's "Revelations" performance depicted the "Black experience."

Choreographer Rennie Harris on channeling Ailey
S36 Ep1 | 1m 51s
Air Date: 01/11/22

Rennie Harris choreographed a piece about Ailey for the 60th anniversary of the company.

Bill T. Jones remembers the first time he met Alvin Ailey
S36 Ep1 | 2m 11s
Air Date: 01/11/22

"I was lonely for colleagues who were people of color," said Jones upon meeting Ailey.

Ailey dancers reflect on company’s scrappy beginnings
S36 Ep1 | 1m 51s
Air Date: 01/11/22

Former Ailey dancers recall how Alvin Ailey worked hard to raise money for the company.

How racism affected Marian Anderson’s vocal classification
S36 Ep2 | 1m 24s
Air Date: 02/08/22

Though Marian Anderson could sing both high and low notes, she was billed as a contralto.

Marian Anderson’s singing recalls America’s racial unrest
S36 Ep2 | 3m 14s
Air Date: 02/08/22

"Crucifixion" recalled the racial unrest Marian Anderson saw during her time in Chicago.

Marian Anderson’s love of fashion and shoes
S36 Ep2 | 1m 37s
Air Date: 02/08/22

Marian Anderson had a vast collection of couture clothing.

Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands
S36 Ep2 | 1m 4s
Air Date: 02/08/22

Explore the life of the famous singer who became an icon for the civil rights movement.

Marian Anderson overcame discrimination with Danbury farm
S36 Ep2 | 1m 34s
Air Date: 02/08/22

Anderson bought her beloved farm in Danbury, CT, with her husband, Orpheus Fisher.

Denyce Graves and others discuss Marian Anderson’s legacy
S36 Ep2 | 1h 2m 5s
Air Date: 02/08/22

Celebrate Marian Anderson in this event with Denyce Graves, George Shirley and others.

Waterman – Duke: Ambassador of Aloha
S36 Ep3 | 1m 56s
Air Date: 05/10/22

Jason Momoa narrates the story of five-time Olympic medalist and surfer Duke Kahanamoku.

How Duke broke the swimming world record in Hawaii
S36 Ep3 | 2m 40s
Air Date: 05/10/22

Duke Kahanamoku shattered the Amateur Athletic Union's swim record in 1911.

Duke’s incredible rescue mission while on a surfboard
S36 Ep3 | 2m 41s
Air Date: 05/10/22

Duke Kahanamoku rescued eight men from the capsized Thelma in California.

Overcoming the distinct challenge of indoor swimming
S36 Ep3 | 2m 27s
Air Date: 05/10/22

Duke found his mind and body shocked by his first time swimming in an indoor pool.

The meaning of Aloha
S36 Ep3 | 2m 10s
Air Date: 05/10/22

Paul Strauch recounts a conversation he had with Duke about the power of the word "Aloha."

Joe Papp in Five Acts
S36 Ep4 | 1m 42s
Air Date: 06/03/22

Papp, founder of Free Shakespeare in the Park, believed great art is for all.

Why Joe Papp thinks the theater should be free for all of us
S36 Ep4 | 1m 3s
Air Date: 06/03/22

Joe Papp made it his mission to have theater be accessible to the public.

Representation in theater was important to Joe Papp
S36 Ep4 | 3m 19s
Air Date: 06/03/22

When developing Free Shakespeare in the Park, Joe Papp wanted people to feel represented.

Papp turned a dilapidated building into The Public Theater
S36 Ep4 | 2m 14s
Air Date: 06/03/22

Joe Papp saved a historic building from demolition, which evolved into The Public Theater.

The origins of Shakespeare in the Park
S36 Ep4 | 2m 25s
Air Date: 06/03/22

Papp built a stage on a 35 foot truck so he could bring Shakespeare to other communities.

When Joe Papp asked Meryl Streep to take over the theater
S36 Ep4 | 1m 41s
Air Date: 06/03/22

Meryl Streep was touched, but perplexed when Papp asked her to run the theater.

Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road
S36 Ep5 | 2m 4s
Air Date: 06/14/22

Explore the life and career of the legendary singer and co-founder of The Beach Boys.

Watch Brian Wilson produce a song
S36 Ep5 | 4m 24s
Air Date: 06/14/22

See musical genius Brian Wilson at work producing his song, "Honeycomb."

Rare studio footage of the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations”
S36 Ep5 | 1m 14s
Air Date: 06/14/22

Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys work on "Good Vibrations" in the studio in 1966.

Brian Wilson visits his high school
S36 Ep5 | 2m 41s
Air Date: 06/14/22

Brian Wilson makes a stop at his high school alma mater.

When journalist Jason Fine first met Brian Wilson
S36 Ep5 | 1m 21s
Air Date: 06/14/22

Jason Fine describes how his friendship with Brian Wilson first started.

Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On
S36 Ep6 | 3m 10s
Air Date: 11/22/22

See the story of the Indigenous singer-songwriter, social activist, educator and artist.

How Buffy Sainte-Marie won an Oscar for “Up Where We Belong”
S36 Ep6 | 1m 39s
Air Date: 11/22/22

Buffy Sainte-Marie won an Oscar for her song "Up Where We Belong."

The origins of Buffy Sainte-Marie’s “Universal Soldier”
S36 Ep6 | 2m 9s
Air Date: 11/22/22

"Who's responsible for war?" wonders Buffy Sainte-Marie in "Universal Soldier."

Buffy Sainte-Marie brought Indigenous representation to TV
S36 Ep6 | 1m 55s
Air Date: 11/22/22

Sainte-Marie insisted that Indigenous people play the Indigenous roles on "The Virginian."

When Buffy Sainte-Marie wrote the “first feminist anthem”
S36 Ep6 | 2m 17s
Air Date: 11/22/22

"I always wanna be offering people stuff that they won't get somewhere else," says Buffy.

The Adventures of Saul Bellow
S36 Ep7 | 1m 32s
Air Date: 12/12/22

Explore Nobel Prize winner Saul Bellow's impact on American literature.

Ernest Hemingway versus Saul Bellow
S36 Ep7 | 59s
Air Date: 12/12/22

Philip Roth talk about the opposing styles of Ernest Hemingway and Saul Bellow.

A classic Saul Bellow rant about Chicago
S36 Ep7 | 1m 41s
Air Date: 12/12/22

Chicago in the 1980s is the backdrop for Bellow's novel "The Dean's December."

Salman Rushdie on Saul Bellow’s books
S36 Ep7 | 3m 58s
Air Date: 12/12/22

Salman Rushdie talks about some of his favorite Saul Bellow books in this outtake.

Philip Roth talks Saul Bellow in his final interview
S36 Ep7 | 8m 38s
Air Date: 12/12/22

Philip Roth describes his admiration for Saul Bellow in Roth's final interview.

Groucho & Cavett
S36 Ep8 | 1m 44s
Air Date: 12/27/22

Discover the enduring friendship between legendary comedians Dick Cavett and Groucho Marx.

When Groucho Marx hosted “The Tonight Show”
S36 Ep8 | 2m 9s
Air Date: 12/27/22

Groucho Marx was a guest host on "The Tonight Show."

Groucho Marx roasts Dick Cavett
S36 Ep8 | 2m 1s
Air Date: 12/27/22

One of Groucho's best nights on "The Dick Cavett Show."

What made Groucho Marx a great writer
S36 Ep8 | 3m 7s
Air Date: 12/27/22

Groucho Marx was a prolific writer with "a genuine intellect."

Dick Cavett’s early days of standup comedy
S36 Ep8 | 8m 17s
Air Date: 12/27/22

Dick Cavett reflects on his early days of standup and the lessons he learned.

How It Feels To Be Free documentary
S35 Ep1 | 30s
Air Date: 01/18/21

How six iconic African American female entertainers challenged the entertainment industry.

Alicia Keys doesn’t mind being compared to Lena Horne
S35 Ep1 | 2m 1s
Air Date: 01/18/21

The musician talks about why she admires Horne so much.

Diahann Carroll talks race and makeup while filming “Julia”
S35 Ep1 | 1m 50s
Air Date: 01/18/21

Carroll tells the story of an early makeup session for the TV show “Julia.”

The role of women entertainers in the civil rights movement
S35 Ep1 | 1m 8s
Air Date: 01/18/21

Historian Ruth Feldstein on the role of women entertainers in the civil rights movement.

Lena Waithe on why Cicely Tyson’s hair was revolutionary
S35 Ep1 | 1m 58s
Air Date: 01/18/21

Waithe describes how Tyson's natural hair was an inspiration to many others.

Halle Berry on how seeing Diahann Caroll on TV changed her
S35 Ep1 | 1m 57s
Air Date: 01/18/21

Having a role model on TV who looked like her made a big difference for Halle Berry.

Lena Waithe on mixed feelings towards Blaxploitation
S35 Ep1 | 1m 59s
Air Date: 01/18/21

Producer, actor and writer Lena Waithe on the mixed feelings Blaxploitation evokes.

Why Cicely Tyson was selective about her acting roles
S35 Ep1 | 43s
Air Date: 01/18/21

Tyson was mindful of how she performed Black womanhood.

Flannery
S35 Ep2 | 1m 54s
Air Date: 03/23/21

Explore the life of Flannery O’Connor whose fiction was unlike anything published before.

Why did Flannery O’Connor detest “Gone with the Wind”?
S35 Ep2 | 2m 41s
Air Date: 03/23/21

She reportedly “couldn’t stand” the romanticized, Hollywood version of the old South.

From the Director: The Making of Flannery
S35 Ep2 | 2m 18s
Air Date: 03/23/21

Hear from director Elizabeth Coffman about the making of American Masters: Flannery.

Twyla Moves
S35 Ep3 | 2m 36s
Air Date: 03/26/21

Explore the life of legendary dancer, director and choreographer Twyla Tharp.

How does Twyla Tharp create new dances?
S35 Ep3 | 1m 1s
Air Date: 03/26/21

Twyla Tharp's creative process is very physical.

The time Twyla Tharp setup a performance in Central Park
S35 Ep3 | 1m 48s
Air Date: 03/26/21

Archival footage shows one of Twyla Tharp's dances in Central Park amongst the public.

The time Twyla Tharp pushed David Byrne to his limits
S35 Ep3 | 2m 58s
Air Date: 03/26/21

In 1981, Twyla Tharp commissioned David Byrne of the Talking Heads to write music for her.

Tharp and Baryshnikov’s “totally unexpected” collaboration
S35 Ep3 | 4m 32s
Air Date: 03/26/21

The collaboration was "lightening in a bottle," according to Tharp.

Twyla Tharp’s very valuable college decision
S35 Ep3 | 1m 17s
Air Date: 03/26/21

How Tharp directed her own education at Barnard College.

What’s it like choreographing a dance for Zoom?
S35 Ep3 | 2m 3s
Air Date: 03/26/21

Tharp discovers a technical challenge that makes choreographing virtually even harder.

Twyla Tharp: Inside Look
S35 Ep3 | 2m
Air Date: 03/12/21

Twyla Tharp provide an inside look at the way she approaches her work.

Twyla Tharp’s Famous ‘Eight Jelly Roll’ Dance
S35 Ep3 | 55s
Air Date: 03/26/21

'Eight Jelly Rolls' was one of Twyla Tharp's first music-inspired choreographed dances.

Never Too Late: The Doc Severinsen Story
S35 Ep4 | 1m 48s
Air Date: 04/02/21

Trace the life and career of master trumpeter and musical icon Doc Severinsen.

Doc Severinsen’s advice for music students
S35 Ep4 | 2m 58s
Air Date: 04/02/21

Doc Severinsen gives the best piece of advice to one of his music students.

Doc Severinsen’s fitness routine
S35 Ep4 | 2m 14s
Air Date: 04/02/21

Doc Severinsen goes tot he gym everyday. He also swears by a special preworkout meal.

The best of Doc Severinsen’s eccentric outfits
S35 Ep4 | 2m 37s
Air Date: 04/02/21

Former Tonight Show bandleader Doc Severinsen was famous for his over the top outfits.

Oliver Sacks: His Own Life
S35 Ep5 | 2m 2s
Air Date: 04/09/21

Explore the life and work of the legendary neurologist and storyteller Oliver Sacks.

What made physician Oliver Sacks unique?
S35 Ep5 | 1m 26s
Air Date: 04/09/21

He used storytelling to connect people with great challenges "back into the world."

What pushed Oliver Sacks’ brother towards psychosis?
S35 Ep5 | 1m 7s
Air Date: 04/09/21

Sacks wondered if he might be next.

Why did Oliver Sacks love the periodic table so much?
S35 Ep5 | 1m 11s
Air Date: 04/09/21

He even incorporated it into his wardrobe.

Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir
S35 Ep7 | 2m 14s
Air Date: 05/03/21

Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir is an intimate portrait of the groundbreaking writer.

Amy Tan’s first job was writing astrology
S35 Ep7 | 2m 12s
Air Date: 05/03/21

Amy started out “making up” astrology for her friend’s business.

How Amy Tan met her husband Lou
S35 Ep7 | 1m 14s
Air Date: 05/03/21

According to Amy Tan's husband Lou, it was "cluelessness at first sight."

The author of “Crazy Rich Asians” describes Amy Tan’s impact
S35 Ep7 | 2m 33s
Air Date: 05/03/21

Kevin Kwan talks about how Amy Tan had an early impact on him.

What was the Joy Luck Club?
S35 Ep7 | 1m 34s
Air Date: 05/03/21

The title of Amy Tan's famous novel was also the name of an investment club.

Amy Tan’s writing inspiration
S35 Ep7 | 2m
Air Date: 05/03/21

What inspires the best-selling author?

Ballerina Boys
S35 Ep8 | 2m 36s
Air Date: 06/04/21

Discover The Trocks. Dancing on pointe shoes, these male ballerinas mix artistry and joy.

Watch these drag ballerinas get ready for a show
S35 Ep8 | 2m 14s
Air Date: 06/04/21

Putting on makeup is about empowerment as much as it is about humor.

What goes through a drag ballerina’s mind while dancing?
S35 Ep8 | 1m 32s
Air Date: 06/04/21

A "Trocks" dancer describes what goes through his mind while dancing.

Buddy Guy: The Blues Chase The Blues Away
S35 Ep9 | 1m 58s
Air Date: 07/27/21

Dive into the career of the legendary blues guitarist.

How blues legend Buddy Guy got his hands on his first guitar
S35 Ep9 | 3m 38s
Air Date: 07/27/21

Hear Buddy Guy play the song by John Lee Hooker that made him want to learn guitar

The two people Buddy Guy admires most as a musician
S35 Ep9 | 1m 41s
Air Date: 07/27/21

Buddy Guy met John Lee Hooker and Big Mama Thornton after years of admiring their music.

Buddy Guy’s Grammys
S35 Ep9 | 1m 27s
Air Date: 07/27/21

He won his first for the song "Damn Right I've Got the Blues."

Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It
S35 Ep10 | 2m 2s
Air Date: 10/05/21

Explore the life and 70-year career of the iconic Latina actor, performer and activist.

Rita Moreno on facing sexism in the industry
S35 Ep10 | 2m 56s
Air Date: 10/05/21

Rita Moreno recalls facing sexism in the industry.

Rita Moreno’s mother inspired her “One Day at a Time” role
S35 Ep10 | 1m 43s
Air Date: 10/05/21

Rita Moreno's portrayal of her role on "One Day at a Time" was inspired by her mother.

How Rita Moreno became a social activist
S35 Ep10 | 1m 6s
Air Date: 10/05/21

Rita Moreno attended the March on Washington and continued to advocate for social justice.

Rita Moreno gives one of the shortest Oscars speeches ever
S35 Ep10 | 2m 25s
Air Date: 10/05/21

Rita Moreno recalls giving the shortest Oscars speeches ever for "West Side Story."

Behind the Scenes | Rita Moreno
S35 Ep10 | 2m
Air Date: 10/05/21

Go behind the scenes of Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It.

Lin-Manuel Miranda on his first viewing of “West Side Story”
S35 Ep10 | 1m
Air Date: 10/05/21

Lin-Manuel Miranda on his first viewing of "West Side Story"

Becoming Helen Keller
S35 Ep11 | 1m 4s
Air Date: 10/19/21

Revisit the remarkable career and life of an icon who became a human rights pioneer.

Helen Keller the suffragist
S35 Ep11 | 59s
Air Date: 10/19/21

Helen Keller was an activist who supported the labor movement and women's right to vote.

Helen Keller studied socialism
S35 Ep11 | 1m 41s
Air Date: 10/19/21

Helen Keller became interested in socialism and demanded equal rights for all.

Keller’s use of oral communication
S35 Ep11 | 2m 31s
Air Date: 10/19/21

Alexander Graham Bell shunned sign language, encouraging Keller to use oral communication.

Rapper Warren “Wawa” Snipe on hip-hop in the Deaf community
S35 Ep11 | 3m 33s
Air Date: 10/19/21

Rapper Warren "Wawa" Snipe talks about the inspiration for what he calls "Dip-Hop."

Elsa Sjunneson: DeafBlind fencer, hiker, published author
S35 Ep11 | 7m 48s
Air Date: 03/29/22

Elsa Sjunneson is a DeafBlind professor, published author, and modern-day Helen Keller.

Elsa Sjunneson: DeafBlind author [Audio Description + ASL]
S35 Ep11 | 7m 46s
Air Date: 03/29/22

Elsa Sjunneson is a DeafBlind professor, published author, and modern-day Helen Keller.

Elsa Sjunneson: DeafBlind author—Extended Audio Description
S35 Ep11 | 13m 16s
Air Date: 10/19/21

Elsa Sjunneson is a DeafBlind professor, published author, and modern-day Helen Keller.

In Memoriam: Actress Zoe Caldwell
1m 53s
Air Date: 02/19/20

Zoe Caldwell discusses how she disrupted the English class system with song and dance.

For Your Emmy® Consideration
1m
Air Date: 06/17/20

For Your Emmy® Consideration: Watch These American Masters Documentaries

Two Things That Gave Carl Reiner the Most Pleasure in Life
1m 30s
Air Date: 06/30/20

Comic legend Carl Reiner describes the two things that gave him the most pleasure in life.

Full Trailer | Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool
S34 Ep1 | 2m 24s
Air Date: 02/25/20

Discover the man behind the legend with never-before-seen footage and rare photos.

Clip | How Miles Davis Recorded “Kind of Blue”
S34 Ep1 | 2m 27s
Air Date: 02/25/20

The musicians on Davis's iconic album "Kind of Blue" were not given any sheet music.

Clip | How Miles Davis Recorded “Gems of Spontaneity”
S34 Ep1 | 1m 44s
Air Date: 02/25/20

Miles Davis recorded "gems" while fulfilling an obligation to Prestige Records.

Clip | Miles Davis Loved Playing this Prince Album on Repeat
S34 Ep1 | 44s
Air Date: 02/25/20

Miles Davis' son Erin talks about the Prince album that his father played over and over.

“We Don’t Sugarcoat Anything” in this “Definitive” Doc
S34 Ep1 | 2m
Air Date: 02/25/20

The Miles Davis Estate offered unprecedented access to its archive for this film.

Preview | Director Stanley Nelson Talks About Miles Davis
S34 Ep1 | 1m 42s
Air Date: 02/25/20

Director Stanley Nelson on how this is more than just a film about a jazz musician.

Full Trailer | Mae West: Dirty Blonde
S34 Ep2 | 1m 56s
Air Date: 05/28/20

Dive into the life of groundbreaking writer, performer and subversive star Mae West.

The Mae West Film that Helped Save Paramount Pictures
S34 Ep2 | 2m 37s
Air Date: 06/17/20

The Mae West film "She Done Him Wrong" was credited with helping to save Paramount.

Mae West Made this “Insane” Film in her 80’s
S34 Ep2 | 4m 19s
Air Date: 06/16/20

The film "Sextette," which Mae West made at age 87, was actually a "radical power move."

Without “Talkies” There Would Be No Mae West
S34 Ep2 | 2m 32s
Air Date: 06/16/20

Why were "talkies" (films with sound) necessary for Mae West to have become a star?

Why Didn’t Mae West Keep Up with the Latest Fashions?
S34 Ep2 | 3m 13s
Air Date: 06/16/20 | Rating: TV-14

Mae West's persona was inspired by the fashion trends of the 1890's.

How Madonna May Have Been Influenced by Mae West
S34 Ep2 | 4m 14s
Air Date: 06/16/20 | Rating: TV-14

How have Madonna and other women entertainers followed in Mae West's footsteps?

Full Trailer | Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am
S34 Ep3 | 2m 16s
Air Date: 06/01/20

An artful and intimate meditation on the legendary storyteller.

The Story Behind the Title of the Novel “The Bluest Eye”
S34 Ep3 | 1m 27s
Air Date: 06/23/20

Toni Morrison recalls the time a Black childhood friend had been praying for blue eyes.

Toni Morrison On Writing Without the “White Gaze”
S34 Ep3 | 2m 29s
Air Date: 06/23/20

Toni Morrison talks about writing without the "white gaze."

Why Fran Lebowitz Always Sought Advice From Toni Morrison
S34 Ep3 | 3m 9s
Air Date: 06/24/20

Cultural critic Fran Lebowitz on why she would ask Toni Morrison for advice.

When Toni Morrison Won The Nobel Prize
S34 Ep3 | 2m 34s
Air Date: 06/23/20

Toni Morrison tells the story of going to Stockholm to accept the Nobel Prize.

Director Interview with Timothy Greenfield-Sanders
S34 Ep3 | 1m 37s
Air Date: 06/23/20

Director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders talks about how he first met Toni Morrison.

Trailer | Unladylike2020: The Changemakers
S34 Ep4 | 1m
Air Date: 07/10/20

Illuminating the stories of extraordinary American heroines.

The Making of Unladylike2020
S34 Ep4 | 1m 47s
Air Date: 07/09/20

Director Charlotte Mangin discusses what went into making Unladylike2020.

What Unladylike Means to Me
S34 Ep4 | 1m 46s
Air Date: 07/29/20

Modern day women from the series discuss what the term "unladylike" means to them.

An Interview with Activist Brittany Packnett Cunningham
S34 Ep4 | 1m 50s
Air Date: 07/10/20

Brittany Packnett Cunningham is a leader at the intersection of culture and justice.

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist Nikole Hannah Jones
S34 Ep4 | 2m 15s
Air Date: 09/01/20

She created the 1619 Project on slavery for The New York Times Magazine.

Walter Winchell Trailer
S34 Ep5 | 2m
Air Date: 10/20/20

Meet the columnist who pioneered the fast-paced journalism that dominates today.

The time Walter Winchell condemned an American Nazi rally
S34 Ep5 | 2m 53s
Air Date: 10/20/20

Walter Winchell condemned a rally of American Nazis in 1939.

Walter Winchell and the “trial of the century”
S34 Ep5 | 2m 6s
Air Date: 10/20/20

How Walter Winchell used the "trial of the century" to blend news and entertainment.

Michael Tilson Thomas Documentary Trailer
S34 Ep6 | 1m 11s
Air Date: 10/23/20

Explore the life and career of the Grammy-winning conductor, pianist and composer.

The toy behind Michael Tilson Thomas’s love of dissonance
S34 Ep6 | 1m 59s
Air Date: 10/23/20

Meet Toodles, the toy behind Michael Tilson Thomas's love of dissonant music.

Michael Tilson Thomas on what he learned from James Brown
S34 Ep6 | 2m 17s
Air Date: 10/23/20

MTT talks about the James Brown song that caused him to pull the car over as a teenager.

Laura Ingalls Wilder: Prairie to Page trailer
S34 Ep7 | 3m 26s
Air Date: 12/29/20

A look at the unlikely author whose fiction helped shape American ideas of the frontier.

The letter from NY that changed Laura Ingalls Wilder’s life
S34 Ep7 | 1m 49s
Air Date: 12/29/20

The news, at age 64, from a New York editor was unexpected for Laura Ingalls Wilder.

How the logs of the “Little House” cabin were stolen
S34 Ep7 | 2m 8s
Air Date: 12/29/20

How the logs that Charles Ingalls used for the little house belonged to Osage Indians.

Disaster was looming when the Ingalls moved to Minnesota
S34 Ep7 | 2m 14s
Air Date: 12/29/20

Disaster struck with the arrival of the Rocky Mountain locust invasion of 1875.

The word that Laura refused to say in her wedding vows
S34 Ep7 | 3m 35s
Air Date: 12/29/20

Laura Ingalls' courtship with Almanzo Wilder led to a unique wedding ceremony.

Until she was an author, money was a struggle for Wilder
S34 Ep7 | 2m 20s
Air Date: 12/29/20

Until she became a best-selling author, making ends meet was a struggle.

The secret mother-daughter collaboration on “Little House”
S34 Ep7 | 4m 6s
Air Date: 12/29/20

Recent scholarship has shed light on this secret collaboration.

“Little House” TV stars Alison Arngrim and Dean Butler
S34 Ep7 | 2m 58s
Air Date: 12/29/20

Arngrim and Butler talk about how the show had fans in Ronald Reagan and the Ayatollah.

Roxane Gay and others on racist “Little House” depictions
S34 Ep7 | 2m 23s
Air Date: 12/29/20

Roxane Gay, Louise Erdrich and others discuss racist depictions in Wilder’s books.

Keith Haring: Street Art Boy trailer
S34 Ep8 | 2m 16s
Air Date: 12/04/20

Explore the definitive story of international art sensation Keith Haring.

Meet Keith Haring’s art dealer, famous for defacing Picasso
S34 Ep8 | 2m 48s
Air Date: 12/04/20

Keith Haring's choice for an art dealer was known for defacing a famous Picasso painting.

In Memoriam: Harold Prince
55s
Air Date: 07/31/19

Hal Prince talks about the intense collaborative nature of the musical form.

American Masters has been nominated for an Emmy®!
1m
Air Date: 07/28/20

Nominated for “Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series” at the 72nd Annual Emmys.

American Masters: Decoding Watson Trailer
S33 Ep1 | 2m 54s
Air Date: 01/02/19

Scientist James Watson, the man behind the Double Helix, confronts his complex legacy.

Demystifying DNA Structure
S33 Ep1 | 2m 18s
Air Date: 01/02/19

Scientists explain how DNA’s double helix structure makes each of us genetically distinct.

DNA Discoveries Before Watson and Crick
S33 Ep1 | 3m
Air Date: 01/02/19

Watson and Crick discovered DNA’s structure, but other scientists paved the way for them.

James Watson on X-ray crystallographer Rosalind Franklin
S33 Ep1 | 2m 36s
Air Date: 01/02/19

Rosalind Franklin’s work contributed to Watson and Crick’s discovery of DNA’s structure.

Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me Trailer
S33 Ep2 | 2m 36s
Air Date: 02/19/19

The first major film documentary of the life and art of entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis, Jr. on His Greatest Fear
S33 Ep2 | 2m 10s
Air Date: 02/19/19

Sammy Davis, Jr. reveals why “Mr. Bojangles” hit so close to home.

Norman Lear on how Sammy Davis, Jr. Broke Barriers on TV
S33 Ep2 | 1m 59s
Air Date: 02/19/19

Norman Lear discusses Sammy Davis, Jr.’s groundbreaking guest appearance on All in the Fam

Sammy Davis, Jr.’s Close Call with Death
S33 Ep2 | 2m 11s
Air Date: 02/19/19

The car accident that forced Sammy Davis, Jr. to reevaluate his life.

Charley Pride: I’m Just Me Preview
S33 Ep3 | 33s
Air Date: 02/22/19

Follow the country music superstar’s journey from segregated Mississippi to Nashville.

Charley Pride: I’m Just Me Trailer
S33 Ep3 | 1m 43s
Air Date: 02/22/19

Follow the country music superstar’s amazing journey from Mississippi to Nashville.

Holly Near: Singing for Our Lives Trailer
S33 Ep4 | 1m 49s
Air Date: 03/01/19

Holly Near’s music and life story illustrate how songs can have power.

Holly Near on the story behind “Singing For Our Lives”
S33 Ep4 | 2m 49s
Air Date: 03/01/19

Holly Near shares the story behind her anthem for the LGBTQ movement, "Singing For Our L

Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem on Holly Near
S33 Ep4 | 3m 12s
Air Date: 03/01/19

Holly Near on the inspiration behind "I Am Willing".

Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People Preview
S33 Ep5 | 2m 14s
Air Date: 04/12/19

Discover the man behind the Pulitzer Prizes.

The Spanish-American War and Yellow Journalism
S33 Ep5 | 1m 3s
Air Date: 04/12/19

How Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst crossed the line into "yellow journalism."

Joseph Pulitzer’s and the Brooklyn Bridge
S33 Ep5 | 2m 31s
Air Date: 04/12/19

How Joseph Pulitzer challenged the one-penny pedestrian toll on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Garry Winogrand: All Things are Photographable Preview
S33 Ep6 | 1m 58s
Air Date: 04/19/19

Garry Winogrand turned spontaneous street photos into high art in 1960s-70s America.

Garry Winogrand’s Early Career
S33 Ep6 | 1m 35s
Air Date: 04/19/19

Garry Winogrand got his start as a photojournalist before becoming a fine art photographer

The Exhibition that Changed Modern Photography
S33 Ep6 | 1m 57s
Air Date: 04/19/19

The exhibition that established Garry Winogrand as an influential figure in photography.

Garry Winogrand’s “Public Relations” Project
S33 Ep6 | 1m 33s
Air Date: 04/19/19

Why "Public Relations" is considered to be at the cusp of postmodernism.

Robert Shaw – Man of Many Voices
S33 Ep7 | 2m 43s
Air Date: 06/21/19

Follow the journey of one of the greatest choral music conductors, Robert Shaw.

Robert Shaw Was an Early Champion of Civil Rights
S33 Ep7 | 2m 7s
Air Date: 06/21/19

The story behind the Integrated Robert Shaw Chorale.

Choral Music Conductor Robert Shaw Was Self-Taught
S33 Ep7 | 1m 59s
Air Date: 06/21/19

Despite a lack of formal training, Shaw inspired generations of musicians.

Terrence McNally: Every Act of Life Preview
S33 Ep8 | 2m 20s
Air Date: 06/14/19

The documentary that traces Terrance McNally’s personal and professional successes.

Edie Falco on “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune.”
S33 Ep8 | 1m 58s
Air Date: 06/14/19

Edie Falco opens up about her experience in "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune."

Rita Moreno on Terrence McNally, plus Steinbeck’s advice
S33 Ep8 | 1m 34s
Air Date: 06/14/19

How Rita Moreno and John Steinbeck are connected to Terrence McNally.

Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin Preview
S33 Ep9 | 2m 17s
Air Date: 08/02/19

Explore the legacy of the feminist author who transformed U.S. literature with her science

Learn About Ursula K. Le Guin’s Predecessor to Harry Potter
S33 Ep9 | 2m 45s
Air Date: 08/02/19

Explore the magical world Ursula K. Le Guin created in fantasy novel A Wizard of Earthsea.

Ursula K. Le Guin’s Passionate Acceptance Speech
S33 Ep9 | 1m 58s
Air Date: 08/02/19

Watch the acceptance speech that shook the literary world.

“The Left Hand of Darkness” and Gender Fluidity
S33 Ep9 | 3m 55s
Air Date: 08/02/19

Le Guin's 1969 novel "The Left Hand of Darkness" questioned binary concepts of gender.

Rita Moreno & Edward James Olmos on the discrimination
S33 Ep10 | 2m 6s
Air Date: 09/13/19

Despite Raúl Juliá's talents, opportunities for Latino actors were scarce.

Raúl Juliá and Meryl Streep Go Head-to-Head
S33 Ep10 | 3m
Air Date: 09/13/19

Raúl Juliá and Meryl Streep mesmerize in the 1978 production of The Taming of the Shrew.

Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage Preview
S33 Ep10 | 1m 1s
Air Date: 09/13/19

Explore the life of a versatile Puerto Rican actor whose performances shook the world.

Inside Look | Raúl Juliá
S33 Ep10 | 2m 5s
Air Date: 09/04/19

Get an inside look at Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage from American Masters and VOCES.

Ben DeJesus Sheds Light on Latino Stories
S33 Ep10 | 1m 50s
Air Date: 09/13/19

Director Ben DeJesus discusses the importance of Raúl Juliá's story and cultural impact.

Edward James Olmos on Raúl Juliá
S33 Ep10 | 1m 37s
Air Date: 09/13/19

Edward James Olmos recalls watching Raúl Juliá perform Shakespeare on tabletops.

How Raúl Juliá Influenced Esai Morales
S33 Ep10 | 1m 3s
Air Date: 09/13/19

Morales reflects on Raúl Juliá's craft and discipline as an actor.

How Raúl Juliá got his sister into Studio 54
S33 Ep10 | 1m 27s
Air Date: 09/13/19

Maria Eugenia Juliá talks about trying to get into Studio 54 with "Raúl from Dracula."

Rothko: Pictures Must Be Miraculous Preview
S33 Ep11 | 30s
Air Date: 10/25/19

Discover the art world giant whose color fields changed art history and now fetch millions

Why Mark Rothko Came to America
S33 Ep11 | 2m 42s
Air Date: 10/25/19

Learn why Rothko's family emigrated from Russia to the United States.

How Abstract Expressionism Changed American Art
S33 Ep11 | 1m 57s
Air Date: 10/25/19

See how Abstract Expressionism shifted the center of the art world from Paris to New York

Mark Rothko and Adolph Gottlieb on Creating Abstract Art
S33 Ep11 | 1m 22s
Air Date: 10/25/19

How Mark Rothko and Adoph Gottlieb responded to The New York Times.

N. Scott Momaday: Words From a Bear
S33 Ep12 | 29s
Air Date: 11/18/19

Delve into the enigmatic life of Pulitzer Prize-winning author and poet N. Scott Momaday

The First Native American to Win the Pulitzer
S33 Ep12 | 2m 43s
Air Date: 11/18/19

Jeff Bridges, Robert Redford, and others explain the importance of Momaday's writing.

Indigenous Groups at the Forefront of Climate Action
S33 Ep12 | 1m 52s
Air Date: 11/18/19

N. Scott Momaday discusses the Native American tradition of protecting our planet.

How N. Scott Momaday Connected with his Kiowa Ancestry
S33 Ep12 | 1m 16s
Air Date: 11/18/19

On his horse, N. Scott Momaday used his imagination to connect with his Kiowa ancestors.

Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart – Trailer
S32 Ep1 | 2m 42s
Air Date: 01/19/18

Explore the life of activist and playwright Lorraine Hansberry.

The Groundbreaking Broadway Casting of “A Raisin in the Sun”
S32 Ep1 | 3m
Air Date: 01/19/18

Sidney Poitier, Lloyd Richard and Ruby Dee reflect on casting for "A Raisin in the Sun."

Lorraine Hansberry on being young, gifted and black
S32 Ep1 | 1m 41s
Air Date: 01/19/18

Lorraine Hansberry encourages young writers to represent their community in their work.

Lorraine Hansberry speaks out against injustice
S32 Ep1 | 2m 3s
Air Date: 01/19/18

Lorraine Hansberry speaks out with "sighted eyes and feeling heart" against injustice.

Lorraine Hansberry’s Inspiration for “A Raisin in the Sun”
S32 Ep1 | 2m 29s
Air Date: 01/19/18

Learn about the process that led Lorraine Hansberry to write her groundbreaking play.

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story – Trailer
S32 Ep2 | 1m 13s
Air Date: 05/18/18

How Hollywood film star Hedy Lamarr’s true legacy is that of a technological trailblazer.

Hedy Lamarr and Howard Hughes’ Relationship
S32 Ep2 | 2m 41s
Air Date: 05/18/18

Hedy Lamarr and Howard Hughes' relationship was built on a love of invention.

Interview with Director Alexandra Dean
S32 Ep2 | 3m 23s
Air Date: 05/18/18

Director Alexandra Dean shares all of her Hedy Lamarr memorabilia.

It’s Hedley!
S32 Ep2 | 2m 3s
Air Date: 05/18/18

Mel Brooks explains how he came up with "Hedley" Lamarr.

Journalist Unearths Audio Taped Hedy Interviews
S32 Ep2 | 1m 47s
Air Date: 05/18/18

Journalist Fleming Meeks unearths never-before-heard audio tapes of Hedy Lamarr.

Actress Gillian Jacobs on Hedy Lamarr
S32 Ep2 | 1m 53s
Air Date: 05/18/18

Gillian Jacobs on how she first learned about Hedy and the importance of women in STEM.

Frequency Hopping
S32 Ep2 | 2m 20s
Air Date: 05/18/18

The breakdown behind Hedy Lamarr's frequency hopping technology.

Ted Williams – Trailer
S32 Ep3 | 2m 4s
Air Date: 07/23/18

Ted Williams: "The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived"

Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams’ Friendship (Outtake)
S32 Ep3 | 1m 1s
Air Date: 07/23/18

A closer look at Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams' healthy feud.

The Mythology of Ted Williams
S32 Ep3 | 1m 38s
Air Date: 07/23/18

Ted Williams was "electric," "a baseball god" and his swing was "a work of art."

Ted Williams in Korea
S32 Ep3 | 1m 25s
Air Date: 07/23/18

Ted Williams' miraculous crash landing during the Korean War

The Science of Hitting
S32 Ep3 | 1m 20s
Air Date: 07/23/18

Ted Williams breaks down the perfect hit in his book, "The Science of Hitting."

Ted Williams’ Heart of Gold
S32 Ep3 | 2m
Air Date: 07/23/18

Ted Williams was a hero to millions of children suffering from cancer.

Never Before Seen Home Run Footage
S32 Ep3 | 2m 36s
Air Date: 07/23/18

Watch never before seen footage of Ted Williams' last home run.

Eva Hesse Trailer
S32 Ep4 | 1m 43s
Air Date: 08/31/18

Meet one of the few women recognized as central to the 70's New York art scene.

Why Eva Hesse Felt Like a Misfit
S32 Ep4 | 1m 8s
Air Date: 08/31/18

Eva Hesse on what makes a true artist.

Eva Hesse on Painting
S32 Ep4 | 1m 59s
Air Date: 08/31/18

Eva Hesse on painting against every rule.

Elizabeth Murray Trailer
S32 Ep5 | 1m 4s
Air Date: 08/03/18

An intimate portrait of maverick painter and printmaker Elizabeth Murray.

Elizabeth Murray on Using Bold Colors
S32 Ep5 | 1m 46s
Air Date: 09/07/18

How Elizabeth Murray made abstraction personal in her art.

Elizabeth Murray on Being an Artist and Mother
S32 Ep5 | 1m 53s
Air Date: 09/07/18

Elizabeth Murray designed a unique life for herself.

Interview with Director Kristi Zea
S32 Ep5 | 8m 33s
Air Date: 09/07/18

Interview with Director Kristi Zea.

Andrew Wyeth Trailer
S32 Ep6 | 1m 36s
Air Date: 09/07/18

Wyeth tells the story of one of America’s most popular, but least understood, artists.

Andrew Wyeth on “Christina’s World”
S32 Ep6 | 2m
Air Date: 09/07/18

The story behind Andrew Wyeth's iconic "Christina's World."

Andrew Wyeth on Visiting the Kuerner Farm
S32 Ep6 | 1m 45s
Air Date: 09/07/18

See the Kuerner farm, a magical place for Andrew Wyeth.

Jean-Michel Basquiat Trailer
S32 Ep7 | 3m 40s
Air Date: 09/14/18

He lived fast, died young and created thousands of drawings and paintings.

Basquiat and Warhol’s Portrait
S32 Ep7 | 1m 58s
Air Date: 09/14/18

How Basquiat amazed Andy Warhol with a portrait.

Basquiat’s Childhood Accident
S32 Ep7 | 1m 27s
Air Date: 09/14/18

On Jean-Michel's first and most vivid childhood memory.

Itzhak in theaters March 9 in New York City
S32 Ep8 | 1m 58s
Air Date: 03/09/18

An enchanting documentary featuring the sublime musician Itzhak Perlman.

Itzhak Trailer
S32 Ep8 | 2m 1s
Air Date: 10/14/18

An intimate look at the extraordinary life and career of violinist Itzhak Perlman.

Itzhak Perlman Plays “Theme From Schindler’s List”
S32 Ep8 | 2m 57s
Air Date: 10/14/18

Violinist Itzhak Perlman plays "Theme From Schindler’s List"

Itzhak Perlman and Alan Alda’s Friendship
S32 Ep8 | 3m 16s
Air Date: 10/14/18

Itzhak Perlman and Alan Alda on life, food and more.

By Sidney Lumet – Trailer
S31 Ep1 | 2m
Air Date: 01/03/17 | Rating: NR

Explore the socially conscious work of the director of “12 Angry Men” and “Network."

Sidney Lumet on “Dog Day Afternoon”
S31 Ep1 | 1m 3s
Air Date: 01/03/17 | Rating: NR

Sidney Lumet describes the characters and the narrative drive behind "Dog Day Afternoon."

Lumet Talks About Network
S31 Ep1 | 3m 36s
Air Date: 01/03/17 | Rating: NR

Sidney Lumet discusses his work on the film "Network"

Sidney Lumet Recalls Working with Katharine Hepburn
S31 Ep1 | 2m 36s
Air Date: 01/03/17 | Rating: NR

Sidney Lumet speaks about his work with Katharine Hepburn.

Sidney Lumet Recalls Working with Walter Cronkite
S31 Ep1 | 2m 48s
Air Date: 01/03/17 | Rating: NR

Sidney Lumet speaks about his work adapting the radio show "You Are There" for television.

Lumet On Blacklisting
S31 Ep1 | 3m 19s
Air Date: 01/03/17 | Rating: NR

Sidney Lumet describes his work on "Tragedy in a Temporary Town"

Lumet’s Motivation for Making “12 Angry Men”
S31 Ep1 | 59s
Air Date: 01/03/17 | Rating: NR

Sidney Lumet describes his motivations for making the movie "12 Angry Men"

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise – Trailer
S31 Ep2 | 2m 38s
Air Date: 02/21/17 | Rating: NR

Maya Angelou gave people the freedom to think about their history in a way they never had.

Maya Angelou & James Baldwin
S31 Ep2 | 1m 30s
Air Date: 02/21/17 | Rating: NR

“Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise” Film Excerpt: Maya Angelou & James Baldwin

Maya Angelou On Teaching
S31 Ep2 | 2m 13s
Air Date: 02/21/17 | Rating: NR

Maya Angelou speaks about her work as a teacher and what she shares with her students.

Behind the Scenes: Common, Rita Coburn-Whack & Maya Angelou
S31 Ep2 | 1m 37s
Air Date: 02/21/17 | Rating: NR

Rita Coburn-Whack originally introduced Maya Angelou and Common.

See Maya Angelou’s early performances in the Bay Area
S31 Ep2 | 59s
Air Date: 02/21/17 | Rating: NR

Maya Angelou transitioned from dancing to singing early in her career.

Learn why Maya Angelou signed with Porgy and Bess
S31 Ep2 | 57s
Air Date: 02/21/17 | Rating: NR

Dr. Maya Angelou started her career singing and dancing in San Francisco.

Go behind the scenes with John Singleton
S31 Ep2 | 1m 30s
Air Date: 02/21/17 | Rating: NR

John Singleton shares why he believes Dr. Angelou's story is so important.

Learn about Norman Lear’s friendship with Dr. Maya Angelou
S31 Ep2 | 2m 2s
Air Date: 02/21/17 | Rating: NR

Learn how Norman Lear struck up a friendship with Dr. Maya Angelou.

Dr. Maya Angelou’s Inspiration and Poetry
S31 Ep2 | 3m 53s
Air Date: 02/21/17 | Rating: NR

Learn how Dr. Maya Angelou began writing and reading poetry as a child.

Hear how Maya Angelou met Tupac Shakur for the first time
S31 Ep2 | 1m 52s
Air Date: 02/21/17 | Rating: NR

Without realizing it, Maya Angelou met Tupac Shakur.

Maya Angelou’s missed opportunity to work with Pearl Bailey
S31 Ep2 | 1m 26s
Air Date: 02/21/17 | Rating: NR

Maya Angelou nearly had an opportunity early in her career to work with Pearl Bailey.

Listen to Dr. Maya Angelou’s take on creative writing
S31 Ep2 | 49s
Air Date: 02/21/17 | Rating: NR

Dr. Maya Angelou describes the challenges she faced as a writer.

Explore the friendship between Maya Angelou and Malcolm X
S31 Ep2 | 2m 4s
Air Date: 02/21/17 | Rating: NR

While Maya Angelou was living in Ghana, she met and began working with Malcolm X.

Dr. Angelou’s inauguration poem for President Bill Clinton
S31 Ep2 | 2m 10s
Air Date: 02/21/17 | Rating: NR

Bill Clinton decided to have a poet read at his inauguration: Dr. Maya Angelou.

PBS Previews: Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise
S31 Ep2 | 2m
Air Date: 02/21/17 | Rating: NR

A behind-the-scenes look at American Masters - Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

See Behind the Scenes of Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise
S31 Ep2 | 3m 57s
Air Date: 02/20/17 | Rating: NR

Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn-Whack share the inspiration and process behind their film.

Louis Gossett Jr. shares a story about his great-grandmother
S31 Ep2 | 32s
Air Date: 02/20/17 | Rating: NR

Louis Gossett Jr. shares a story about his great-grandmother.

Patsy Cline: Trailer
S31 Ep3 |
Air Date: 03/04/17 | Rating: NR

Patsy Cline defined modern country music with singular talent and heart?wrenching depth.

PBS Previews: Patsy Cline
S31 Ep3 | 1m 45s
Air Date: 03/01/17 | Rating: TV-G

Producer and director Barbara Hall talks about the inspiration behind "Patsy Cline."

How Patsy Cline balanced home life and commercial success
S31 Ep3 | 1m 15s
Air Date: 03/04/17 | Rating: NR

Despite a rigorous performing schedule, Patsy Cline continued to manage her household.

Learn how Patsy Cline broke social norms in the ’50s
S31 Ep3 | 1m 32s
Air Date: 03/04/17 | Rating: NR

Cline worked hard and broke social norms, wearing men's pants and bright red lipstick.

Hear how Patsy Cline met her husband, Charlie Dick.
S31 Ep3 | 2m
Air Date: 03/04/17 | Rating: NR

Patsy Cline and Charlie Dick met as young, talented musicians from working-class families.

How a car crash nearly ended Patsy Cline’s career
S31 Ep3 | 1m 7s
Air Date: 03/04/17 | Rating: NR

At 29 years old Patsy Cline was almost killed in a head-on car collision.

Learn about Patsy Cline’s first record deal
S31 Ep3 | 1m 16s
Air Date: 03/04/17 | Rating: NR

Under Patsy Cline's first contract, she was paid half the industry standard.

Learn which Patsy Cline songs inspire Reba McEntire
S31 Ep3 | 1m 31s
Air Date: 03/04/17 | Rating: NR

Patsy Cline songs like "Sweet Dreams" still inspire Reba McEntire today.

How Patsy Cline overcame the good ol’ boys club
S31 Ep3 | 1m 20s
Air Date: 03/04/17 | Rating: NR

When Patsy Cline began working in country music, female headliners were rare.

Listen to how Patsy Cline “fibbed” to perform on CBS
S31 Ep3 | 2m 9s
Air Date: 03/04/17 | Rating: NR

How Patsy Cline fibbed in order to get onto Arthur Godfrey's CBS show to perform live.

The tension between Patsy Cline and Jimmy Dean
S31 Ep3 | 36s
Air Date: 03/04/17 | Rating: NR

Bill Anderson on the "not quite oil-and-water" relationship between Cline and Dean.

Alan Stoker shares some insight on Patsy Cline’s work
S31 Ep3 | 1m 16s
Air Date: 03/04/17 | Rating: NR

Alan Stoker talks about Patsy's gift as a singer and an artist.

Patsy Cline: Filmmaker Interview
S31 Ep3 | 11m 16s
Air Date: 03/04/17

Filmmaker Barbara Hall comments on the making of the film, "Patsy Cline."

Explore the advent of Food Television with James Beard
S31 Ep4 | 4m 4s
Air Date: 05/19/17

James Beard played a key role in the very first food shows on television.

Insight into James Beard’s life as a gay man
S31 Ep4 | 2m 39s
Air Date: 05/19/17

When sexuality was not openly discussed, James Beard was comfortable, honest and open.

Alice Waters remembers her early friendship with James Beard
S31 Ep4 | 1m 18s
Air Date: 05/19/17

Alice Waters recalls a party early in her friendship with James Beard.

Discovered the doll designed to look like James Beard
S31 Ep4 | 1m 28s
Air Date: 05/19/17

Caroline Stuart discovered a doll that was designed to look like James Beard.

Chris Cosentino shares how he discovered James Beard’s work
S31 Ep4 | 1m 11s
Air Date: 05/19/17

Chris Cosentino shares the surprising story of how he discovered James Beard's work.

Duff Goldman remembers his first James Beard recipe
S31 Ep4 | 1m 16s
Air Date: 04/28/17

Baltimore-based Pastry Chef Duff Goldman shares his first James Beard memory.

PBS Previews | American Masters presents A Chef’s Flight
S31 Ep4 | 1m
Air Date: 05/19/17

Executive Producer Michael Kantor comments on "A Chef's Flight."

PBS Previews | James Beard: America’s First Foodie
S31 Ep4 | 1m 30s
Air Date: 04/28/17

Today’s American food movement can be traced back to one man: James Beard.

James Beard’s mother was at the center of Portland’s market.
S31 Ep4 | 3m
Air Date: 04/28/17

James Beard's mother was at the center of Portland's market culture.

James Beard as a Gastronomic Gigolo
S31 Ep4 | 1m 31s
Air Date: 04/28/17

James Beard began cooking and entertaining when his savings ran low as a young man.

How James Beard pioneered the farm-to-table movement
S31 Ep4 | 4m 25s
Air Date: 04/28/17

James Beard was one of the pioneers of clean cooking.

Learn Jacques Pépin’s famous omelet techniques
S31 Ep5 | 5m 52s
Air Date: 04/28/17

Jacques Pépin shares two different techniques for making the perfect omelet.

José Andrés shares his first encounter with Jacques Pépin
S31 Ep5 | 3m 17s
Air Date: 04/28/17

Chef and restaurateur José Andrés talks about his first encounter with Jacques Pépin.

Women in Jacques Pépin’s life were entrepreneurs and chefs
S31 Ep5 | 24s
Air Date: 04/28/17

Iconic chef and teacher Jacques Pépin shares his Inspiring Woman - his mother.

How Jacques Pépin met his wife, Gloria
S31 Ep5 | 3m 13s
Air Date: 04/28/17

Gloria shares the story of how she met Jacques.

PBS Previews | Jacques Pépin: The Art of Craft
S31 Ep5 | 1m
Air Date: 05/26/17

Jacques Pépin is known as a kitchen supernova.

Pépin took de-boning a fish to new heights
S31 Ep5 | 3m 4s
Air Date: 04/28/17

Jacques Pépin truly mastered the art of craft.

Life as a chef, husband and Jacques Pépin’s son-in-law
S31 Ep5 | 1m 42s
Air Date: 04/28/17

Rollie Wesen's love story with Claudine Pépin.

How Jacques Pépin’s “La Technique” changed modern cooking
S31 Ep5 | 2m 47s
Air Date: 04/28/17

In 1976, Jacques Pépin published a groundbreaking new book: a cookbook without recipes.

Richard Linklater: Dream is Destiny – Trailer
S31 Ep6 | 38s
Air Date: 09/01/17

Learn about Richard Linklater, the filmmaker behind Dazed and Confused, Boyhood, and more.

Richard Linklater’s Roots with the Austin Film Society
S31 Ep6 | 2m 4s
Air Date: 09/01/17

Because of Linklater's unstoppable energy, the Austin Film Society was born.

Watching “Boyhood” Come to Life
S31 Ep6 | 2m 38s
Air Date: 09/01/17

Richard Linklater and the cast of "Boyhood" discuss how the film developed over time.

Making “School of Rock” with Richard Linklater
S31 Ep6 | 2m 30s
Air Date: 09/01/17

Jack Black and Richard Linklater talk about the making of "School of Rock"

Why Linklater’s “Waking Life” was a groundbreaking film
S31 Ep6 | 1m 58s
Air Date: 09/01/17

Waking Life introduced a new, low-budget way for Richard Linklater to make his films.

Matthew McConaughey on Richard Linklater as a Director
S31 Ep6 | 2m 17s
Air Date: 09/01/17

Matthew McConaughey talks about Richard Linklater's ability to capture authentic moments.

Why Richard Linklater makes films about time
S31 Ep6 | 3m 7s
Air Date: 09/01/17

Ellar Coltrane on Linklater's focus on time and his effort to make films about real people

Linklater and Matthew McConaughey on “Dazed and Confused”
S31 Ep6 | 2m 47s
Air Date: 09/01/17

Linklater and Matthew McConaughey talk about "Dazed and Confused."

Bringing a film to life with “Everybody Wants Some”
S31 Ep6 | 2m 23s
Air Date: 09/01/17

Visit the set of "Everybody Wants Some" and see Linklaters direction and strategy.

Richard Linklater’s process behind “Everybody Wants Some”
S31 Ep6 | 2m 41s
Air Date: 09/01/17

Take a look behind the scenes of "Everybody Wants Some."

Glenn Powell talks about Linklater’s creativity and humility
S31 Ep6 | 1m 38s
Air Date: 09/01/17

Glenn Powell describes the autonomy and creativity Linklater gives actors.

Tyrus – Trailer
S31 Ep7 | 2m 24s
Air Date: 09/08/17

Tyrus Wong's pioneering artwork led to iconic works like Bambi and Rebel Without a Cause.

Tyrus Wong’s atmospheric work gave “Bambi” its unique style
S31 Ep7 | 1m 10s
Air Date: 09/08/17

Tyrus Wong's lighting and creative use of color gave "Bambi" its impressionistic style.

Tyrus Wong’s detention as a new immigrant
S31 Ep7 | 57s
Air Date: 09/08/17

As a child, Tyrus Wong was detained at the U.S. border for a month during his immigration.

Tyrus Wong at the advent of Chinese Modern home decor
S31 Ep7 | 1m 23s
Air Date: 09/08/17

Tyrus Wong's skillful, inspired painting made its way across America through home decor.

See Tyrus Wong’s work in classic Warner Bros. movies
S31 Ep7 | 1m 8s
Air Date: 09/08/17

After leaving Disney, Tyrus Wong joined Warner Bros., illustrating for thousands of films.

How Tyrus Wong got the job to animate Bambi
S31 Ep7 | 1m 18s
Air Date: 09/08/17

When a supervisor noticed Tyrus Wong's work, he was asked to paint for the film "Bambi"

How Tyrus Wong influenced the makers of “The Dam Keeper”
S31 Ep7 | 9m 53s
Air Date: 09/08/17

Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi discuss how Wong influenced them.

Tyrus Wong revisits Angel Island
S31 Ep7 | 1m 56s
Air Date: 09/08/17

Tyrus Wong revisits Angel Island, where he was held as a child during immigration.

Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive – Trailer
S31 Ep8 | 3m 5s
Air Date: 10/30/17

Discover the real story of the notorious author, starring Denis O’Hare as Edgar Allan Poe.

Behind the scenes of “Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive”
S31 Ep8 | 2m
Air Date: 10/30/17

Actor Denis O'Hare and American Masters Executive Producer Michael Kantor discuss the film

The fake news behind Edgar Allan Poe’s reputation
S31 Ep8 | 2m 35s
Air Date: 10/30/17

Rufus Griswold, Poe's rival, wrote the obituary that cast him as a lunatic and a madman.

Experience Poe’s dramatic readings of “The Raven”
S31 Ep8 | 3m 1s
Air Date: 10/30/17

After Poe released "The Raven," he became famous for his dramatic readings of the poem.

Denis O’Hare brings to life “The Man of the Crowd”
S31 Ep8 | 59s
Air Date: 10/30/17

"There are some secrets which do not permit themselves to be told..."

The Deaths of the Women in Poe’s Life
S31 Ep8 | 1m 53s
Air Date: 10/30/17

Throughout his life, Edgar Allan Poe lost most of the women he loved.

Denis O’Hare on Becoming Poe
S31 Ep8 | 1m 39s
Air Date: 10/30/17

Denis O'Hare discusses preparing for the role of Edgar Allan Poe.

Mash-up: Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”
S31 Ep8 | 8m 13s
Air Date: 10/30/17

Listen to a compilation of Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem "The Raven"

See inside the mind of a ranting and raving Edgar Allan Poe
S31 Ep8 | 34s
Air Date: 10/30/17

Denis O'Hare embodies the caricature of a nervous, ranting and raving Poe.

Filmmaker Roger Corman on “The Fall of the House of Usher”
S31 Ep8 | 58s
Air Date: 10/30/17

Roger Corman's success making "The Fall of the House of Usher" led to a "cyle of Poe"

How Filmmaker Roger Corman brought Poe to the big screen
S31 Ep8 | 45s
Air Date: 10/30/17

Roger Corman discusses some of the challenges he faced in bringing Poe's stories to life.

Filmmaker Roger Corman’s dream-like world of Edgar Allan Poe
S31 Ep8 | 3m 15s
Air Date: 10/30/17

In adapting Poe's work for cinema, Roger Corman wanted to emphasize the unconscious mind.

Edgar Allan Poe: The Five Biggest Myths About Poe
S31 Ep8 | 2m 6s
Air Date: 10/30/17

How well do you know Edgar Allan Poe? See if you can separate fact from fiction.

Garrison Keillor reads Edgar Allan Poe’s “Annabel Lee”
S31 Ep8 | 2m 10s
Air Date: 10/30/17

Author, radio host and American Master Garrison Keillor reads Edgar Allan Poe's "Annabel

The story of Wally Coberg
S31 Ep8 | 4m 46s
Air Date: 10/30/17

Filmmaker Eric Stange tells the story of Wally Coberg.

Hear the story of Edgar Allan Poe’s only novel
S31 Ep8 | 2m
Air Date: 10/30/17

Edgar Allan Poe's only novel was not well received and is still debated today.

This Is Bob Hope… Trailer
S31 Ep9 | 56s
Air Date: 12/29/17

Explore the entertainer’s life with unprecedented access to his personal archives.

Bob Hope, a model for public service in Hollywood
S31 Ep9 | 2m 50s
Air Date: 12/29/17

Hope's commitment to philanthropy changed Hollywood's view on the responsibility of fame.

Learn how Bob Hope came up with his iconic standup routines
S31 Ep9 | 1m 4s
Air Date: 12/29/17

Bob Hope's fast-paced and improvisational comedic style was groundbreaking.

How Bob Hope transformed monologue misfires
S31 Ep9 | 1m 39s
Air Date: 12/29/17

Bob Hope was known for his off-the-cuff comedic style and quick wit.

Five Reasons Bob Hope is a Comedic Genius
S31 Ep9 | 1m 58s
Air Date: 12/29/17

Get to know Bob Hope in this short video highlighting his incredible career.

Mike Nichols and “The Graduate”
S30 Ep1 | 1m 17s
Air Date: 01/29/16 | Rating: NR

Mike Nichols won an Academy Award for directing "The Graduate," his second film.

Mike Nichols’ Laugh
S30 Ep1 | 47s
Air Date: 01/29/16 | Rating: NR

Stars of theater and film remember Mike Nichols' famous, uncontrollable laughter.

Mike Nichols: An American Master – Preview
S30 Ep1 | 39s
Air Date: 01/29/16 | Rating: NR

The late, great director (The Graduate, Angels in America) discusses his 50-year career.

Mike Nichols: Interview with Producer Julian Schlossberg
S30 Ep1 | 5m 2s
Air Date: 01/29/16 | Rating: NR

The producer of Mike Nichols: An American Master describes working with Nichols.

Meryl Streep Interview: Working with Director Mike Nichols
S30 Ep1 |
Air Date: 01/29/16 | Rating: NR

Meryl Streep does a funny imitation of Nichols while describing working on films with him.

B.B. King: The Life of Riley – Trailer
S30 Ep2 | 2m 23s
Air Date: 02/12/16 | Rating: NR

B.B. King, born Riley B. King, was one of the most celebrated blues musicians of all time.

B.B. King’s Distinctive Guitar Playing
S30 Ep2 | 1m 33s
Air Date: 02/12/16 | Rating: NR

One note is all it takes to recognize the great guitar playing of B.B. King.

B.B. King’s Start in Memphis: WDIA Radio
S30 Ep2 | 1m 19s
Air Date: 02/12/16 | Rating: NR

B.B. King tells the story of how his jingle got him a radio gig at WDIA in Memphis, TN.

B.B. King’s Funeral Procession
S30 Ep2 | 6m 11s
Air Date: 02/12/16 | Rating: NR

See King's funeral procession, from Memphis, TN, to his resting place in Indianola, MS.

Making B.B. King: The Life of Riley – Director Interview
S30 Ep2 |
Air Date: 02/12/16 | Rating: NR

Jon Brewer describes how the first documentary on B.B. King came to be.

The Making of Carole King’s Album “Tapestry”
S30 Ep3 | 2m 24s
Air Date: 02/19/16 | Rating: NR

How Carole King recorded "Tapestry" with producer Lou Adler and other music legends.

Carole King: Natural Woman – Trailer
S30 Ep3 | 2m 43s
Air Date: 02/19/16 | Rating: NR

King tells her story in a new documentary with previously unseen and rare performances.

Carole King: A Teenage Songwriter in the Music Business
S30 Ep3 | 2m 53s
Air Date: 02/19/16 | Rating: NR

Carole King began getting paid for her songs when she was 16 years old.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
S30 Ep3 |
Air Date: 02/19/16 | Rating: NR

Carole King didn't want a musical about her until she read the book by Douglas McGrath.

Carole King (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman – Live
S30 Ep3 | 3m 45s
Air Date: 02/19/16 | Rating: NR

A never-before-seen clip of Carole King singing her song at the piano, recorded in 1982.

Fats Domino and The Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll – Preview
S30 Ep4 | 37s
Air Date: 02/26/16 | Rating: NR

How Fats Domino’s brand of New Orleans rhythm & blues morphed into rock 'n' roll.

Fats Domino of New Orleans, the Music Mecca
S30 Ep4 | 2m 11s
Air Date: 02/26/16 | Rating: NR

Fats Domino, born and raised in New Orleans, was surrounded by music.

Fats Domino Concerts: Riots and Rock n’ Roll
S30 Ep4 | 1m 55s
Air Date: 02/26/16 | Rating: NR

There were major riots at Domino's concerts in the 1950s, not just because of integration.

Fats Domino Filmmaker Joe Lauro on Making the Documentary
S30 Ep4 | 8m 11s
Air Date: 02/26/16 | Rating: NR

The director of Fats Domino and The Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll shares how the film got made.

Fats Domino: I’m Ready, Performed with The Byrds, 1971
S30 Ep4 | 2m 59s
Air Date: 02/26/16 | Rating: NR

An outtake from Fats Domino and The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll: Domino and The Byrds

Dave Bartholomew, Longtime Collaborator of Fats Domino
S30 Ep4 | 5m 25s
Air Date: 02/26/16 | Rating: NR

Dave Bartholomew of New Orleans: songwriter, bandleader, producer, trumpeter. Outtake.

Remembering Fats Domino
S30 Ep4 | 1m 47s
Air Date: 10/25/17

Fats Domino performs his version of "Blueberry Hill."

Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl – Trailer
S30 Ep5 | 2m 47s
Air Date: 03/04/16 | Rating: NR

"The Queen of Country Music” is still going strong after more than 50 years of music.

Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty
S30 Ep5 | 2m 59s
Air Date: 03/04/16 | Rating: NR

Lynn, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood talk about Lynn's hit partnership with Twitty.

Loretta Lynn’s Gowns
S30 Ep5 |
Air Date: 03/04/16 | Rating: NR

Loretta Lynn's personal designer shows two of her gowns displayed in her museum.

Loretta Lynn Wrote for Women. Her Song “The Pill.”
S30 Ep5 | 2m 15s
Air Date: 03/04/16 | Rating: NR

Loretta Lynn, Sissy Spacek and Sheryl Crow on Lynn's work and her song, "The Pill."

Loretta Lynn: Lyricist and Songwriter
S30 Ep5 | 2m 33s
Air Date: 03/04/16 | Rating: NR

Sheryl Crow and Jack White talk about Loretta Lynn’s talent as a lyricist and songwriter.

Why Loretta Lynn Wrote “You Ain’t Woman Enough”
S30 Ep5 | 1m 14s
Air Date: 03/04/16 | Rating: NR

Loretta Lynn wrote the song after hearing the plight of a young fan worried about a rival.

Janis: Little Girl Blue – Trailer
S30 Ep6 | 1m 19s
Air Date: 05/03/16 | Rating: NR

Janis Joplin thrilled audiences and blazed new creative trails before her death at age 27.

Dick Cavett on Janis Joplin’s Influence
S30 Ep6 | 5m 6s
Air Date: 03/31/16 | Rating: NR

Dick Cavett describes Janis Joplin’s influence on his show and their relationship.

Letter Home Reveals Janis’ Greatest Ambition
S30 Ep6 | 54s
Air Date: 04/05/16 | Rating: NR

Janis' letter home reveals struggles and desires toward the end of her life.

Merle Keeps You On Your Toes
S30 Ep6 | 3m 12s
Air Date: 04/06/16 | Rating: NR

Band members of The Strangers talk about performing with Merle Haggard, often unprepared.

Why Janis Joplin left Big Brother & the Holding Company
S30 Ep6 | 33s
Air Date: 04/11/16 | Rating: NR

Why Janis Joplin left Big Brother & the Holding Company

Director Amy Berg Brings Janis Back to Life
S30 Ep6 | 1m 30s
Air Date: 04/14/16 | Rating: NR

Director Amy Berg talks about bringing Janis Joplin back to life in her documentary.

Chan Marshall Talks About Voicing Janis Joplin’s Letters
S30 Ep6 | 1m 25s
Air Date: 04/24/16 | Rating: NR

Chan Marshall Talks About Voicing Janis Joplin's Letters

Janis Joplin’s former lover: “She set me free”
S30 Ep6 | 1m 11s
Air Date: 04/25/16 | Rating: NR

Janis Joplin's former lover, David Niehaus, remembers his relationship with Janis.

P!nk, Melissa Etheridge, Juliette Lewis can relate to Janis
S30 Ep6 | 53s
Air Date: 04/28/16 | Rating: NR

P!nk, Melissa Etheridge, Juliette Lewis can relate to Janis Joplin.

How Janis Joplin Made the Hell’s Angels Get Her Groceries
S30 Ep6 | 58s
Air Date: 05/03/16 | Rating: NR

How Janis Joplin Made the Hell's Angels Get Her Groceries

The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End – Promo
S30 Ep7 | 2m 32s
Air Date: 05/27/16 | Rating: NR

The story behind the pioneering outlaw country music supergroup.

How the Highwaymen Became Family in Montreux
S30 Ep7 | 1m 2s
Air Date: 05/04/16 | Rating: NR

How the Highwaymen Became Family in Montreux

How Waylon Jennings Started the Outlaw Movement
S30 Ep7 |
Air Date: 05/09/16 | Rating: NR

How Waylon Jennings started and defined the outlaw movement in country music.

The Highwaymen: ‘The Mount Rushmore of Country Music’
S30 Ep7 | 3m 16s
Air Date: 05/27/16 | Rating: NR

Find out why The Highwaymen were often called "The Mount Rushmore of Country Music."

Filmmaker Jim Brown: The Highwaymen Had a Message
S30 Ep7 | 47s
Air Date: 05/15/16 | Rating: NR

Director and producer Jim Brown talks about the making of The Highwaymen documentary.

The Havoc Behind ‘The Highwayman’ Music Video
S30 Ep7 | 2m 1s
Air Date: 05/18/16 | Rating: NR

How The Highwayman music video caused a massive havoc at the Glen Canyon Bridge

How Kris Kristofferson Convinced Cash to Record His Songs
S30 Ep7 | 1m 3s
Air Date: 05/19/16 | Rating: NR

How did Kris Kristofferson convince Johnny Cash to record his songs?

Willie Nelson Sings ‘Always On My Mind’ at Nassau Coliseum
S30 Ep7 | 2m 33s
Air Date: 05/22/16 | Rating: NR

Concert footage of Willie Nelson Sings "Always On My Mind" at Nassau Coliseum in 1990.

Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You – Trailer
S30 Ep8 | 2m 24s
Air Date: 10/24/16 | Rating: NR

Trailer for the American Masters film Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You.

Phil Rosenthal Discusses Norman Lear’s Impact
S30 Ep8 | 1m 9s
Air Date: 10/25/16 | Rating: NR

Phil Rosenthal discusses the changes brought about by "All In the Family."

Norman Lear’s “Maude” on Tough Issues
S30 Ep8 | 31s
Air Date: 09/18/16 | Rating: NR

The groundbreaking show "Maude" addressed women's issues, like abortion, head-on.

Norman Lear on Network Censorship
S30 Ep8 | 1m 23s
Air Date: 09/25/16 | Rating: NR

In his prolific career, Norman Lear often found himself arguing with network censors.

Norman Lear’s Psychiatrist
S30 Ep8 | 1m 51s
Air Date: 10/03/16 | Rating: NR

A conversation with his psychiatrist helps Norman decide to sell syndication rights.

Rob Reiner on “All in the Family” Success
S30 Ep8 | 51s
Air Date: 10/24/16 | Rating: NR

Rob Reiner talks about the series' 8-season run.

Norman Lear on Legacy
S30 Ep8 | 27s
Air Date: 10/13/16 | Rating: NR

Norman Lear discusses his work and legacy.

Norman Lear – All in The Family Disclaimer
S30 Ep8 | 57s
Air Date: 10/17/16 | Rating: NR

Norman Lear's controversial work led to a disclaimer from CBS.

Norman Lear on the Red Carpet
S30 Ep8 |
Air Date: 10/18/16 | Rating: NR

Norman Lear at the red carpet premiere of "Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You."

Norman Lear on Tough Conversations
S30 Ep8 | 28s
Air Date: 10/20/16 | Rating: NR

Norman Lear's work focused on real people and real conversations.

Norman Lear and Inspiration from The Jeffersons
S30 Ep8 | 2m 12s
Air Date: 10/20/16 | Rating: NR

Commentary and discussion on Norman Lear's legacy.

Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady on Mentorship
S30 Ep8 | 1m 14s
Air Date: 10/26/16 | Rating: NR

Filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady talk about their work as directors and mentors.

Eero Saarinen: The Architect Who Saw the Future – Trailer
S30 Ep9 | 2m 22s
Air Date: 12/27/16 | Rating: NR

Explore the life of Finnish-American modernist architectural giant Eero Saarinen

Eero and Eliel Saarinen Compete for St. Louis
S30 Ep9 | 1m 44s
Air Date: 12/27/16 | Rating: NR

Both Eliel and his son, Eero, competed to design a new monument in St. Louis, MO.

Marking Man’s Time on Earth at General Motors
S30 Ep9 |
Air Date: 12/27/16 | Rating: NR

Eero Saarinen exhibited his architectural vision through his design for General Motors.

Reconstructing Eero Saarinen’s MIT Chapel
S30 Ep9 | 2m 48s
Air Date: 12/27/16 | Rating: NR

MIT is renovating their chapel, designed by Eero Saarinen and dedicated in 1955.

Eero Saarinen’s Design of the MIT Chapel
S30 Ep9 | 2m 12s
Air Date: 12/27/16 | Rating: NR

In designing the MIT Chapel, Eero Saarinen aimed to capture a basic spiritual environment.

How Eero Saarinen Imagined the Ingalls Rink at Yale
S30 Ep9 | 1m 53s
Air Date: 12/27/16 | Rating: NR

Eero Saarinen broke the mold by creating emotionally compelling buildings.

Aline Louchheim and Eero Saarinen
S30 Ep9 | 2m 18s
Air Date: 12/27/16 | Rating: NR

Aline Louchheim quickly developed a strong relationship with Eero Saarinen.

Eero Saarinen and Aline Louchheim’s Shared Ambition
S30 Ep9 | 2m
Air Date: 12/27/16 | Rating: NR

Eero's relationship with Aline Louchheim and their shared professional ambition bloomed.

Eero Saarinen’s Design of the CBS Building in New York City
S30 Ep9 | 1m 34s
Air Date: 12/27/16 | Rating: NR

The CBS Building, or Black Rock, is an imposing 38-story building of black marble.

Eero Saarinen’s Revolutionary Design of the Dulles Airport
S30 Ep9 | 2m 47s
Air Date: 12/27/16 | Rating: NR

In designing the Dulles International Airport, Eero Saarinen re-imagined a jet-age world.

Eliel and Eero Saarinen’s Work on First Christian Church
S30 Ep9 | 1m 2s
Air Date: 12/27/16 | Rating: NR

The First Christian Church in Columbus, IN, was designed by both Eliel and Eero Saarinen.

Conquering gravity with Saarinen at the TWA Flight Center
S30 Ep9 | 2m 46s
Air Date: 12/27/16 | Rating: NR

At the TWA flight center, Saarinen tried to "express the drama and excitement of travel."

Eero Saarinen: The Architect Who Saw the Future ~ Making the
S30 Ep9 | 10m 4s
Air Date: 12/27/16

Director Peter Rosen and Director of Photography, ASC, Eric Saarinen, discuss their film.

Season 2015 Overview
30s
Air Date: 01/23/15 | Rating: NR

The first American Masters magician, plus August Wilson, American Ballet Theatre and more.

Season 2016 Overview
30s
Air Date: 01/29/16 | Rating: NR

Late, great director Mike Nichols, Janis Joplin, Fats Domino, Maya Angelou and more.

Ricky Jay: Deceptive Practice – Trailer
S29 Ep1 | 2m 20s
Air Date: 01/23/15 | Rating: NR

The inimitable magician and his mysterious world of sleight-of-hand artists and conjurers.

Sleight of Hand and Three-Card Monte with Ricky Jay
S29 Ep1 | 2m 23s
Air Date: 01/23/15 | Rating: TV-PG

Ricky Jay demonstrates the three-card monte trick in his one-man show.

Filmmaker Molly Bernstein on Ricky Jay: Deceptive Practice
S29 Ep1 | 4m 26s
Air Date: 01/23/15 | Rating: NR

The filmmaker's fascination with Ricky Jay led to a film more than a decade in the making.

Ricky Jay on His Mentor: Charlie Miller
S29 Ep1 | 1m 32s
Air Date: 01/23/15 | Rating: TV-14

Jay describes working with Miller "as close to pure joy as anything that I can imagine."

Ricky Jay on Ways of Learning: Books and Teachers
S29 Ep1 | 53s
Air Date: 01/23/15 | Rating: TV-14

Though he collects magic books, Jay says the key to learning is from a respected teacher.

Ricky Jay Remembers Mentor Dai Vernon
S29 Ep1 | 3m 41s
Air Date: 01/23/15 | Rating: NR

Ricky Jay recalls the man he considers one of the greatest sleight-of-hand artists.

Ricky Jay and Art Spiegelman in Conversation
S29 Ep1 | 51m 4s
Air Date: 01/23/15 | Rating: NR

Art Spiegelman and Ricky Jay in conversation at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.

August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand
S29 Ep2 | 2m 41s
Air Date: 02/20/15 | Rating: TV-PG

The first documentary about the Tony- and Pulitzer-winning playwright August Wilson.

Monologue from “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” by August Wilson
S29 Ep2 | 47s
Air Date: 02/20/15 | Rating: TV-PG

"White folks don’t understand about the blues," says Ma Rainey in August Wilson's play.

Scene from “Fences,” a Pulitzer Prize-Winning Play
S29 Ep2 | 1m 2s
Air Date: 02/20/15 | Rating: TV-PG

August Wilson's "Fences" won a Pulitzer Prize and four Tony Awards in 1987.

Phylicia Rashad Performs “Gem of the Ocean” Aunt Ester Scene
S29 Ep2 | 2m 23s
Air Date: 02/20/15 | Rating: TV-PG

Rashad performs a scene from August Wilson's play "Gem of the Ocean," as Aunt Ester.

Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Skills for “Seven Guitars” Role
S29 Ep2 | 54s
Air Date: 02/20/15 | Rating: TV-PG

The actor learned how to play harmonica for his Tony Award-winning role in Seven Guitars.

August Wilson’s Youth
S29 Ep2 | 1m 24s
Air Date: 02/20/15 | Rating: NR

August Wilson describes his love of language and the racism he experienced at school.

August Wilson in Seattle
S29 Ep2 | 1m 57s
Air Date: 02/20/15 | Rating: NR

August Wilson moved to Seattle in 1990 and lived there for the rest of his life.

August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand, Panel Discussion
S29 Ep2 | 33m 31s
Air Date: 02/20/15 | Rating: NR

Director Sam Pollard moderates a panel at Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Actor James Earl Jones on August Wilson’s Plays
S29 Ep2 |
Air Date: 02/20/15 | Rating: NR

James Earl Jones won a Tony Award in 1987 for his role in August Wilson's "Fences."

Filmmaker Sam Pollard on His August Wilson Documentary
S29 Ep2 | 2m 29s
Air Date: 02/20/15 | Rating: NR

Director Sam Pollard talks about Wilson's relevance, interviewing actors and more.

Costume Designs for August Wilson Plays
S29 Ep2 | 3m 15s
Air Date: 02/20/15 | Rating: NR

Constanza Romero shares how she designed costumes for August Wilson's plays.

August Wilson on the Dialogue in His Plays
S29 Ep2 | 1m 38s
Air Date: 02/20/15 | Rating: NR

August Wilson describes how dialogue comes to him and guides his character development.

The Essential Ingredients for an August Wilson Play
S29 Ep2 | 35s
Air Date: 01/20/17 | Rating: NR

Ruben Santiago-Hudson shares the essential ingredients for any August Wilson play.

August Wilson’s Timeless Work
S29 Ep2 | 35s
Air Date: 01/20/17 | Rating: NR

Ruben Santiago-Hudson shares why Wilson's work is so timeless and universal.

August Wilson and African American Culture
S29 Ep2 | 20s
Air Date: 01/20/17 | Rating: NR

Ruben Santiago-Hudson describe August Wilson's work for the African American community

Jascha Heifetz: God’s Fiddler Preview
S29 Ep3 | 36s
Air Date: 04/16/15 | Rating: NR

Discover the violin virtuoso through Itzhak Perlman, students and archival performances.

Jascha Heifetz: God’s Fiddler Promo
S29 Ep3 | 25s
Air Date: 04/16/15 | Rating: NR

Discover the mysterious violin virtuoso

Jascha Heifetz: Passion in His Playing
S29 Ep3 | 2m 51s
Air Date: 04/16/15 | Rating: TV-PG

One can hear the passion in Heifetz' violin playing, even if his stance was impassive.

Jascha Heifetz Tests Itzhak Perlman’s Skills
S29 Ep3 | 2m 25s
Air Date: 04/16/15 | Rating: TV-PG

Itzhak Perlman recalls his first encounter with Jascha Heifetz as a teenage student.

Jascha Heifetz: Patriotic Service During World War II
S29 Ep3 | 2m 8s
Air Date: 04/16/15 | Rating: NR

Violinist Jascha Heifetz toured military bases for the USO during World War II.

Filmmaker Peter Rosen on Key Assets of Jascha Heifetz Film
S29 Ep3 | 5m 34s
Air Date: 04/16/15 | Rating: NR

Rosen describes key assets that allowed him to make the film and tell a new story.

Jascha Heifetz Lives the Good Life
S29 Ep3 | 58s
Air Date: 04/16/15 | Rating: NR

"After I came to America, my one aim, it seems, was to enjoy myself," said the violinist.

Jascha Heifetz Concerts for 1923 Japan Earthquake Victims
S29 Ep3 | 1m 23s
Air Date: 04/16/15 | Rating: NR

In 1923, Heifetz gave concerts for Japanese quake victims, and to raise money for them.

Jascha Heifetz: Estrellita Encore Song
S29 Ep3 | 1m 18s
Air Date: 04/16/15 | Rating: NR

Jascha Heifetz arranged a popular Mexican song to include in his Mexico City concert.

American Ballet Theatre: A History
S29 Ep4 | 3m 31s
Air Date: 05/15/15 | Rating: NR

Ric Burns’ documentary on the rich, 75-year history of the preeminent ballet company.

The Choreographers of American Ballet Theatre
S29 Ep4 | 2m 1s
Air Date: 05/15/15 | Rating: NR

The company was unique since its founding for not being devoted to one choreographer.

The Language of Ballet: French and Fit for a King
S29 Ep4 | 2m 41s
Air Date: 05/15/15 | Rating: NR

The language of the ballet is in French; it all began in France with King Louis XIV.

Dancer Julie Kent on Beauty and Humanity
S29 Ep4 | 1m 58s
Air Date: 05/15/15 | Rating: NR

Julie Kent of American Ballet Theatre speaks about beauty and humanity in dance.

How Ballet Dancers Partner and Rehearse
S29 Ep4 |
Air Date: 05/15/15 | Rating: NR

American Ballet Theatre dancers Gillian Murphy and Marcelo Gomes talk about partnering.

American Ballet Theatre in the Rehearsal Studio
S29 Ep4 | 2m 17s
Air Date: 05/15/15 | Rating: TV-PG

Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie guides dancers Julie Kent and Ethan Stiefel in a duet.

Misty Copeland, American Ballet Theatre Soloist
S29 Ep4 | 1m 16s
Air Date: 05/15/15 | Rating: TV-PG

Misty Copeland joined American Ballet Theatre in 2001.

Seeking Perfection in Ballet
S29 Ep4 | 2m 55s
Air Date: 05/15/15 | Rating: TV-PG

Daniil Simkin of American Ballet Theatre and former dancer Susan Jaffe address perfection.

Ric Burns: Filmmaker Interview on American Ballet Theatre
S29 Ep4 | 10m 3s
Air Date: 05/15/15 | Rating: NR

Director Ric Burns describes the art and technology of capturing dance on film.

Harper Lee – Preview
S29 Ep5 | 1m 49s
Air Date: 07/10/15 | Rating: TV-PG

An updated version of Mary McDonagh Murphy’s 2012 film in time for Harper Lee's new book.

James McBride on To Kill a Mockingbird
S29 Ep5 | 3m 29s
Air Date: 04/01/12 | Rating: NR

McBride reflects on Harper Lee's subtle activism and the role of writers in civil rights

Mark Childress on To Kill a Mockingbird
S29 Ep5 | 2m 37s
Air Date: 04/01/12 | Rating: NR

Childress explains how the character Scout had a radical viewpoint in the segregated south

Richard Russo on To Kill a Mockingbird
S29 Ep5 | 3m 34s
Air Date: 04/01/12 | Rating: NR

The Pulitzer Prize winning author discusses the impact of Harper Lee's characters

Wally Lamb on To Kill a Mockingbird
S29 Ep5 | 3m 4s
Air Date: 04/01/12 | Rating: NR