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American Masters

American Masters

1986Returning SeriesNext: Mar 17 9pm ET40 Seasons311 Episodes7.5TMDB
PBS

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 an indelible impression on the cultural landscape of the United States.

Created by: Susan Lacy

Season 31 Episodes

Browse every episode and jump into details.

Episode 1: By Sidney Lumet

Jan 3, 2017 · 1h 30m

In a 2008 interview, director Sidney Lumet talks about his life and career, which included 44 films in 50 years.

Episode 3: Patsy Cline

Mar 1, 2017 · 1h 30m

A profile of influential country singer Patsy Cline (1932-63), featuring archival performances of such songs as "Walkin' After Midnight," "I Fall to Pieces" and "Crazy"; and remarks from artists who knew her and others influenced by her.

Episode 4: James Beard: America’s First Foodie

May 19, 2017 · 1h 30m

Experience a century of food through the life of one man, James Beard (1903-1985). Dubbed the “Dean of American Cookery” by The New York Times, Beard was a Portland, Ore., native who loved and celebrated the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. He spoke of the importance of localism and sustainability long before those terms had entered the vernacular.

Episode 5: Jacques Pépin: The Art of Craft

May 26, 2017 · 1h 30m

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.

Episode 6: Richard Linklater: Dream is Destiny

Sep 1, 2017 · 1h 30m

A trove of never-before-seen archival footage provides an unconventional look at the fiercely independent style of filmmaking that emerged out of Austin, Texas in the late 1980s and 1990s with Linklater as its poster boy.

Episode 7: Tyrus

Sep 8, 2017 · 1h 30m

The unlikely story of 106-year old Chinese American artist Tyrus Wong, and how he overcame poverty and racism in America to become a celebrated modernist painter, Hollywood sketch artist, and “Disney Legend” for his groundbreaking work on the classic animated film, Bambi.

Episode 8: Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive

Oct 30, 2017 · 1h 30m

This documentary draws on the rich palette of Poe’s evocative imagery and sharply drawn plots to tell the real story of the notorious author, exploring the misrepresentations of Poe as a drug-addled madman akin to the narrators of his horror stories.

Episode 9: Inspiring Woman Web Series

Nov 8, 2017 · 1h 30m

Six innovators tell their own stories and explain how they’re changing their respective industries: podcast host Tracy Clayton, Chef Angie Mar, JavaScript developer Sara Chipps, web-cam performance artist Molly Soda, entrepreneur Rakia Reynolds, and visual artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh.

Episode 10: This is Bob Hope

Nov 13, 2017 · 1h 30m

A candid look at a remarkable life with unprecedented access to Bob Hope’s personal archives, including writings voiced by Billy Crystal and clips from Hope’s body of work to reveal a gifted and very human individual who recognized the power of fame, embraced its responsibilities and handled celebrity with extraordinary wit and grace.

Season 31 FAQ

Quick answers about this season's release timeline and episode lineup.

When did American Masters Season 31 premiere?

American Masters Season 31 premiered on January 3, 2017.

How many episodes are in American Masters Season 31?

American Masters Season 31 has 10 episodes.

What is the first episode of American Masters Season 31?

The season opens with Season 31 Episode 1, "By Sidney Lumet". It aired on January 3, 2017.

Go to Season 31 Episode 1

Where to Watch

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