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American Masters

American Masters
Since its premiere in 1986, AMERICAN MASTERS has been the only PBS series committed to developing and producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

Latest Episodes

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise Air date: 05-21-2013 Watch
http://video.pbs.org/widget/partnerplayer/2365014026/?player=WGBY-PBS&w=512&h=288&chapterbar=true&autoplay=false After 60 years in show business, Mel Brooks has earned more major awards than any other living entertainer; he is one of 14 EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) winners. Yet, the comedy giant has energetically avoided a documentary profile being made, even issuing an informal gag order on his... /episodes/get/8780 /episode/8780 American Masters: Mel Brooks: Make a Noise /episode-player/8780
Philip Roth: Unmasked Air date: 03-30-2013 Watch
http://video.pbs.org/widget/partnerplayer/2359116301/?player=WGBY-PBS&w=512&h=288&chapterbar=true&autoplay=false American Masters explores the life and career of Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winning novelist Philip Roth, often referred to as the greatest living American writer. Reclusive and diffident, Roth grants very few interviews, but for the first time, allowed a journalist to spend 10 days... /episodes/get/8365 /episode/8365 American Masters: Philip Roth: Unmasked /episode-player/8365
Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Godmother of Rock & Roll Air date: 02-23-2013 Watch
http://video.pbs.org/widget/partnerplayer/2337391461/?player=WGBY-PBS&w=512&h=288&chapterbar=true&autoplay=false Discover the life, music and influence of African-American gospel singer and guitar virtuoso Sister Rosetta Tharpe /episodes/get/8067 /episode/8067 American Masters: Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Godmother of Rock & Roll /episode-player/8067
Film: Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance Air date: 12-28-2012 Watch
http://video.pbs.org/widget/partnerplayer/2320387369/?player=WGBY-PBS&w=512&h=288&chapterbar=true&autoplay=false It's the life and times of The Joffrey Ballet -- the first quintessentially American dance company -- on American Masters. /episodes/get/6530 /episode/6530 American Masters: Film: Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance /episode-player/6530
Inventing David Geffen Air date: 11-20-2012 Watch
http://video.pbs.org/widget/partnerplayer/2305433189/?player=WGBY-PBS&w=512&h=288&chapterbar=true&autoplay=false Notoriously press and camera-shy, David Geffen reveals himself for the first time in this unflinching portrait of a complex and compelling man. His far-reaching influence — as agent and manager, record industry mogul, Hollywood and Broadway producer, and billionaire philanthropist — has helped... /episodes/get/6262 /episode/6262 American Masters: Inventing David Geffen /episode-player/6262
The Day Carl Sandburg Died Air date: 09-25-2012 Watch
http://video.pbs.org/widget/partnerplayer/2280767465/?player=WGBY-PBS&w=512&h=288&chapterbar=true&autoplay=false Carl Sandburg's life was like a tall tale. Yes, Sandburg was only a man. But, his words were Paul Bunyan; his words were John Henry: impossibly real. For much of the 20th century, Sandburg was synonymous with the American experience, a spokesman and writer on behalf of the people. The Day Carl... /episodes/get/729 /episode/729 American Masters: The Day Carl Sandburg Died /episode-player/729
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Episode Archive

Merle Haggard: Learning to Live with Myself
American Masters' documentary about the country music legend Merle Haggard, often called "the poet of the common man," features interviews with comrades and fellow musicians including Robert Duvall, John Fogerty, Kris Kristofferson, Keith Richards, Tanya Tucker, and Dwight Yoakam. The people with...
Air date: 07/21/2010
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http://video.pbs.org/widget/partnerplayer/1549070911/?player=WGBY-PBS&w=512&h=288&chapterbar=true&autoplay=false American Masters' documentary about the country music legend Merle Haggard, often called "the poet of the common man," features interviews with comrades and fellow musicians including Robert Duvall, John Fogerty, Kris Kristofferson, Keith Richards, Tanya Tucker, and Dwight Yoakam. The people with... /episodes/get/726 /episode/726 American Masters: Merle Haggard: Learning to Live with Myself /episode-player/726
Cachao: Uno Mas
The Grammy-winning bassist Israel "Cachao" Lopez died in Coral Gables, Florida in March 2008, almost 90-years old. A maestro of legendary status and ultimately considered one of the greatest Afro-Cuban musicians of all time, he had made his home in the United States for the past four decades....
Air date: 09/20/2010
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http://video.pbs.org/widget/partnerplayer/1595847416/?player=WGBY-PBS&w=512&h=288&chapterbar=true&autoplay=false The Grammy-winning bassist Israel "Cachao" Lopez died in Coral Gables, Florida in March 2008, almost 90-years old. A maestro of legendary status and ultimately considered one of the greatest Afro-Cuban musicians of all time, he had made his home in the United States for the past four decades.... /episodes/get/720 /episode/720 American Masters: Cachao: Uno Mas /episode-player/720
A Letter to Elia
For Martin Scorsese, growing up in Little Italy, seeing On the Waterfront and East of Eden as a young man was a life-changing experience. Scorsese appears on and off camera throughout A Letter to Elia, taking us through Kazan's life and through his own as well, and through his growing realization...
Air date: 10/04/2010
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http://video.pbs.org/widget/partnerplayer/1947064818/?player=WGBY-PBS&w=512&h=288&chapterbar=true&autoplay=false For Martin Scorsese, growing up in Little Italy, seeing On the Waterfront and East of Eden as a young man was a life-changing experience. Scorsese appears on and off camera throughout A Letter to Elia, taking us through Kazan's life and through his own as well, and through his growing realization... /episodes/get/717 /episode/717 American Masters: A Letter to Elia /episode-player/717
Jeff Bridges: The Dude Abides
Called "the most natural and least self-conscious screen actor that has ever lived," this 2010 Oscar-winning best actor embodies traits far beyond brilliance as an actor. He is an exceptional musician, a photographer, an occasional vintner and a storyteller.
Air date: 01/12/2011
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http://video.pbs.org/widget/partnerplayer/1743456455/?player=WGBY-PBS&w=512&h=288&chapterbar=true&autoplay=false Called "the most natural and least self-conscious screen actor that has ever lived," this 2010 Oscar-winning best actor embodies traits far beyond brilliance as an actor. He is an exceptional musician, a photographer, an occasional vintner and a storyteller. /episodes/get/722 /episode/722 American Masters: Jeff Bridges: The Dude Abides /episode-player/722
Troubadours
American Masters continues its 25th anniversary season with Troubadours: Carole King / James Taylor...
Air date: 03/02/2011
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http://video.pbs.org/widget/partnerplayer/1822435891/?player=WGBY-PBS&w=512&h=288&chapterbar=true&autoplay=false American Masters continues its 25th anniversary season with Troubadours: Carole King / James Taylor... /episodes/get/730 /episode/730 American Masters: Troubadours /episode-player/730
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