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The Best Episodes of American Masters

Every episode of American Masters ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of American Masters!

The Best Episodes of American Masters

American Masters is a PBS television series which produces biographies on enduring writers, musicians, visual and performing artists, dramatists, filmmakers, and others who have left...
  1. Background image for Unanswered Prayers: The Life and Times of Truman Capote
    8.7/10(67 votes)

    #1 - Unanswered Prayers: The Life and Times of Truman Capote

    S2:E8

    The evolution of the novelist and his impact on other artists and American culture.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  2. Background image for Waterman – Duke: Ambassador of Aloha
    8.5/10(49 votes)

    #2 - Waterman – Duke: Ambassador of Aloha

    S36:E3

    The journey and legacy of five-time Olympic medalist Duke Kahanamoku, who broke swimming records and popularized modern-day surfing while overcoming racism.

    Writer:Unknown
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  3. Background image for The Negro Ensemble Company
    8.4/10(56 votes)

    #3 - The Negro Ensemble Company

    S2:E7

    An ode to the work of the African American theater group founded in the late 60s and its impact on the performing arts.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  4. Background image for John Hammond: From Bessie Smith to Bruce Springsteen
    8.4/10(125 votes)

    #4 - John Hammond: From Bessie Smith to Bruce Springsteen

    S5:E6

    A documentary on the 50 year career of a legendary producer of recording artists and musicians.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  5. Background image for Bob Dylan: No Direction Home (1)
    8.4/10(12.5k votes)

    #5 - Bob Dylan: No Direction Home (1)

    S19:E7

    A journey through the poetry and music of Bob Dylan.

    Writer:Unknown
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  6. Background image for Walter Cronkite: Witness to History
    8.4/10(113 votes)

    #6 - Walter Cronkite: Witness to History

    S20:E5

    Walter Cronkite was the man who gave us the news for two tumultuous decades in the late 20th century. As historian, journalist and author David Halberstam says in praise of the great CBS newsman: "Most Americans really learned of the evening news and learned of Vietnam and learned of the civil rights movement and learned of Watergate with Walter Cronkite as the man who ushered it into their homes. And did it with great professionalism over a very long time and was I think absolutely true to himself." In AMERICAN MASTERS Walter Cronkite: Witness to History, a documentary narrated by Katie Couric, historians, fellow journalists and CBS colleagues appraise the career of the man who was called "the most trusted man in America." CBS writer and commentator Andy Rooney, legendary producer/director Don Hewitt, correspondents Mike Wallace, Morley Safer, Lesley Stahl and Barbara Walters, columnists Molly Ivins and Helen Thomas, Senator John McCain and President Jimmy Carter guide the viewer from Cronkite's early days as a foreign correspondent in World War II through his thirty-year career at CBS News.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of American Masters

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  8. Background image for Carol Burnett: A Woman of Character
    8.4/10(157 votes)

    #7 - Carol Burnett: A Woman of Character

    S21:E9

    The career of funny woman Carol Burnett, from Broadway to television stardom.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  9. Background image for Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny
    8.4/10(57 votes)

    #8 - Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny

    S39:E5

    Discover Hannah Arendt, one of the most fearless political thinkers of the 20th century, who transformed her time as a political prisoner and refugee during World War II into daring insights about totalitarianism which continue to resonate today.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  10. Background image for LIZA: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story
    8.3/10(26 votes)

    #9 - LIZA: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story

    S39:E2

    Take an intimate look into the life of Liza Minnelli, best known for her Oscar-winning role in Cabaret. Following in the footsteps of her mother Judy Garland, Minnelli used her boundless raw talent to build her own legacy in showbiz.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  11. Background image for Janis Ian: Breaking Silence
    8.3/10(27 votes)

    #10 - Janis Ian: Breaking Silence

    S39:E4

    Discover the life of singer-songwriter Janis Ian and how she rose as a folk icon and gay rights advocate. She broke ground with “Society’s Child” (1966), a bold take on interracial love, and “At Seventeen” (1975), a searing anthem about bullying.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  12. Background image for Eugene O'Neill: A Glory of Ghosts
    8.2/10(110 votes)

    #11 - Eugene O'Neill: A Glory of Ghosts

    S1:E12

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  13. Background image for D.W. Griffith: Father of Film
    8.2/10(235 votes)

    #12 - D.W. Griffith: Father of Film

    S7:E3

    A look at the innovator of primary motion picture techniques that are still important today and the controversy surrounding his beliefs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  14. Background image for Lena Horne: In Her Own Voice
    8.2/10(110 votes)

    #13 - Lena Horne: In Her Own Voice

    S11:E1

    A biography of the famed singer including her first big breaks in show business.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  15. Background image for The Source: The Story of the Beats and the Beat Generation
    8.2/10(16 votes)

    #14 - The Source: The Story of the Beats and the Beat Generation

    S14:E7

    A chronicle of the artistic expression of the counter-culture movement.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  16. Background image for Woody Allen: A Documentary (2)
    8.2/10(6 votes)

    #15 - Woody Allen: A Documentary (2)

    S25:E8

    Iconic writer, director, actor, comedian, and musician Woody Allen allowed his life and creative process to be documented on-camera for the first time. With this unprecedented access, Emmy®-winning, Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Robert Weide followed the notoriously private film legend over a year and a half to create the ultimate film biography.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  17. Background image for Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart
    8.2/10(53 votes)

    #16 - Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart

    S32:E1

    Explore the inner life and works of the activist, playwright and author of “A Raisin in the Sun,” Lorraine Hansberry. Narrated by actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson and featuring the voice of Tony Award-winning actress Anika Noni Rose as Hansberry.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  18. Background image for Lillian Gish: The Actor's Life for Me
    8.1/10(78 votes)

    #17 - Lillian Gish: The Actor's Life for Me

    S3:E1

    The famed career of the silent movie actress and an examination of the role of women in film during that era of American cinema.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  19. Background image for Paul Simon: Born at the Right Time
    8.1/10(87 votes)

    #18 - Paul Simon: Born at the Right Time

    S7:E1

    The career and collaborations of Simon's 30 years in the music business.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  20. Background image for Billy Wilder: the Human Comedy
    8.1/10(130 votes)

    #19 - Billy Wilder: the Human Comedy

    S12:E3

    A profile of writer-director Billy Wilder.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  21. Background image for The World of Nat King Cole
    8.1/10(98 votes)

    #20 - The World of Nat King Cole

    S20:E2

    Archival performances, home movies and interviews illustrate singer Nat King Cole's achievements during a 30-year music and television career.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  22. Background image for Troubadors: Carole King/James Taylor & the Rise of the Singer-Songwriter
    8.1/10(137 votes)

    #21 - Troubadors: Carole King/James Taylor & the Rise of the Singer-Songwriter

    S25:E2

    Focusing on musicians ranging from James Taylor and Carol King to Elton John.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  23. Background image for Jacques Pépin: The Art of Craft
    8.1/10(52 votes)

    #22 - Jacques Pépin: The Art of Craft

    S31:E5

    Discover the story of Chef Jacques Pépin (b. December 18, 1935), a young immigrant with movie-star looks, a charming Gallic accent, and a mastery of cooking and teaching so breathtaking he became an early food icon—joining James Beard and Julia Child among the handful of Americans who transformed the way the country views the food world.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  24. Background image for Directed by William Wyler
    8.0/10(561 votes)

    #23 - Directed by William Wyler

    S2:E2

    A retrospective on the rich legacy of cinema directed by Wyler with clips and commentary.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  25. Background image for George Gershwin Remembered
    8.0/10(117 votes)

    #24 - George Gershwin Remembered

    S2:E5

    The music of the unique American master composer (as well as his brother Ira) with insights from his collaborators and friends.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  26. Background image for Ray Charles: The Genius of Soul
    8.0/10(107 votes)

    #25 - Ray Charles: The Genius of Soul

    S6:E8

    The obstacles overcome in the magnificent career of the famed musician.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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Best Episodes Summary

"Unanswered Prayers: The Life and Times of Truman Capote" is the best rated episode of "American Masters". It scored 8.7/10 based on 67 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/21/1987. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Waterman – Duke: Ambassador of Aloha".