The Best Episodes of American Masters Season 36

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   6.8/10(34 votes)

   #1 - Ailey

   S36:E11/11/2022

   The life and career of choreographer Alvin Ailey, whose dances focus on the Black experience, interviews with those close to him and a glimpse into his dance studios.

   Director:Jamila Wignot

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Jamila Wignot

   Writer:Unknown
2. 

   8.1/10(47 votes)

   #2 - Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands

   S36:E22/8/2022

   Exploring the life and legacy of singer Marian Anderson and her work as an advocate for the civil rights advocate.

   Director:Rita Coburn Whack

   Writers:Philip Gittelman, Rita Coburn Whack

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   Director:Rita Coburn Whack

   Writers:Philip Gittelman, Rita Coburn Whack
3. 

   8.6/10(51 votes)

   #3 - Waterman – Duke: Ambassador of Aloha

   S36:E35/10/2022

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

   Director:Isaac Halasima

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Isaac Halasima

   Writer:Unknown
4. 

   7.1/10(27 votes)

   #4 - Joe Papp in Five Acts

   S36:E46/3/2022

   No description available

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
5. 

   8.0/10(58 votes)

   #5 - Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road

   S36:E56/14/2022

   Follow musician, singer, songwriter, record producer and co-founder of The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson on a drive through Los Angeles with his longtime friend and Rolling Stone editor Jason Fine. With Fine behind the wheel and Wilson selecting the music, they reflect on the formative and creative periods in Wilson’s life as they revisit the places that helped to shape his career.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
6. 

   7.5/10(31 votes)

   #6 - Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On

   S36:E611/22/2022

   Experience the story of the Oscar-winning Indigenous artist from her rise to prominence in New York’s Greenwich Village folk music scene through her six-decade groundbreaking career as a singer-songwriter, social activist, educator and artist.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
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7. 

   6.8/10(30 votes)

   #7 - The Adventures of Saul Bellow

   S36:E712/12/2022

   Explore Nobel Prize winner Saul Bellow's impact on American literature and how he navigated through issues of his time, including race, gender and the Jewish immigrant experience. Featuring interviews with Philip Roth, Salman Rushdie and others.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
8. 

   7.6/10(161 votes)

   #8 - Groucho & Cavett

   S36:E812/27/2022

   Discover the enduring friendship between television personality Dick Cavett and his mentor iconic comedian Groucho Marx. Their relationship is chronicled through interviews with Cavett, archival footage and interviews with George Burns and others.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown