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The Best Episodes of American Experience Season 34

Every episode of American Experience Season 34 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of American Experience Season 34!

Binge this in 8h 22m•Peaking at 7.9/10

TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    American Experience Season 34 Episode 1 - Riveted: The History of Jeans
    6.6/10(163 votes)

    #1 - Riveted: The History of Jeans

    S34:E1

    The fascinating and surprising story of the iconic American garment. They’re more than just a pair of pants — America’s tangled past is woven deeply into the indigo fabric. From its roots in slavery to the Wild West, youth culture, hippies, high fashion and hip-hop, jeans are the fabric on which the history of American ideology and politics are writ large.

    Directors:Michael Bicks, Anna Lee Strachan
    Writers:Anna Lee Strachan, Michael Bicks

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  2. American Experience Season 34 Episode 2 - The American Diplomat
    6.8/10(96 votes)

    #2 - The American Diplomat

    S34:E2

    Discover how three Black diplomats broke racial barriers at the US State Department during the Cold War. Asked to represent the best of American ideals abroad while facing discrimination at home, they left a lasting impact on the Foreign Service.

    Director:Leola Calzolai-Stewart
    Writer:Ken Chowder

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  3. American Experience Season 34 Episode 3 - Flood in the Desert
    7.5/10(130 votes)

    #3 - Flood in the Desert

    S34:E3

    Explore the 1928 dam collapse, the second deadliest disaster in California history. A colossal engineering failure, the dam was built by William Mulholland, who had ensured the growth of Los Angeles by bringing water to the city via aqueduct.

    Director:Rob Rapley
    Writer:Rob Rapley

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  4. American Experience Season 34 Episode 4 - Plague at the Golden Gate
    7.5/10(141 votes)

    #4 - Plague at the Golden Gate

    S34:E4

    Discover how an outbreak of bubonic plague in 1900 set off fear and anti-Asian sentiment in San Francisco. This new documentary tells the gripping story of the race against time by health officials to save the city from the deadly disease.

    Director:Li-Shin Yu
    Writer:Susan Kim

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  5. American Experience Season 34 Episode 5 - Taken Hostage (1)
    7.9/10(86 votes)

    #5 - Taken Hostage (1)

    S34:E5

    Part 1: Revisit the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, when 52 Americans were held hostage in Tehran, through stories of those whose ordeal riveted the world.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. American Experience Season 34 Episode 6 - Taken Hostage (2)
    7.6/10(70 votes)

    #6 - Taken Hostage (2)

    S34:E6

    Part 2: Revisit the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, when 52 Americans were held hostage in Tehran, through stories of those whose ordeal riveted the world.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 34 Ratings Summary

"Riveted: The History of Jeans" is the best rated episode of "American Experience" season 34. It scored 6.6/10 based on 163 votes. Directed by Michael Bicks, Anna Lee Strachan and written by Anna Lee Strachan, Michael Bicks, it aired on 2/7/2022. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "The American Diplomat".