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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!

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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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    American Masters Season 5 Episode 2 - John Cassavetes
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - John Cassavetes

    S5:E2

    A documentary that follows the varied career of the noted film director.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. American Masters Season 12 Episode 4 - Lou Reed: Rock and Roll Heart
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - Lou Reed: Rock and Roll Heart

    S12:E4

    Profile of one of the major leaders of new directions in rock music.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. American Masters Season 25 Episode 7 - Woody Allen: A Documentary (1)
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #3 - Woody Allen: A Documentary (1)

    S25:E7

    A film that traces the life and accomplishments of America's unique and recognized comedian/writer/filmmaker.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. American Masters Season 25 Episode 8 - Woody Allen: A Documentary (2)
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. American Masters Season 27 Episode 3 - Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - Mel Brooks: Make a Noise

    S27:E3

    A profile of Mel Brooks, the comic mastermind behind such classics as "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein." Featured are remarks from friends and associates, including Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Cloris Leachman, Carl Reiner and Joan Rivers, as well as archival comments from his wife of 41 years, Anne Bancroft (1931-2005).

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. American Masters Season 12 Episode 2 - Vaudeville
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - Vaudeville

    S12:E2

    The origins and growth of a unique form of live entertainment in the 20th century.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of American Masters

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  7. American Masters Season 19 Episode 8 - Bob Dylan: No Direction Home (2)
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #7 - Bob Dylan: No Direction Home (2)

    S19:E8

    No description available

    Director:Martin Scorsese
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. American Masters Season 26 Episode 5 - Johnny Carson: King of Late Night
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - Johnny Carson: King of Late Night

    S26:E5

    Quite possibly the biggest star that television has ever produced, Carson commanded, at his peak, a nightly audience of 15 million viewers – double the current audience of Leno and Letterman – combined. Rarely giving interviews, Carson chose to remain a very private man whose public persona made him an American superstar.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. American Masters Season 27 Episode 1 - Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Godmother of Rock & Roll
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #9 - Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Godmother of Rock & Roll

    S27:E1

    Despite not being a household name today, Sister Rosetta Tharpe is one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Her flamboyance, skill, and showmanship on the newly electrified guitar played a vital role in the conception of Rock & Roll as a genre of music. Featuring archival performances and using new interviews with fellow musicians, producers, friends, and colleagues, this film tells the story of a talented and determined woman that introduces spiritual passion of her gospel music background into Rock & Roll. Learn more about Sister Rosetta Tharpe, her life story, and lasting artistic legacy.

    Director:Mick Csáky
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. American Masters Season 34 Episode 1 - Miles Davis Birth of the Cool
    7.3/10(7 votes)

    #10 - Miles Davis Birth of the Cool

    S34:E1

    Discover the man behind the legend. With full access to the Miles Davis Estate, the film features never-before-seen footage, including studio outtakes from his recording sessions, rare photos and new interviews.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. American Masters Season 2 Episode 2 - Directed by William Wyler
    7.2/10(5 votes)

    #11 - 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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  12. American Masters Season 9 Episode 4 - Edgar Allan Poe: Terror of the Soul
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - Edgar Allan Poe: Terror of the Soul

    S9:E4

    An examination of the author's life and a look at the specifics of some of his written works.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. American Masters Season 33 Episode 2 - Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me

    S33:E2

    Sammy Davis, Jr. had the kind of career that was indisputably legendary, so vast and multi-faceted that it was dizzying in its scope and scale. And yet, his life was complex, complicated and contradictory. Davis strove to achieve the American Dream in a time of racial prejudice and shifting political territory.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. American Masters Season 5 Episode 1 - Preston Sturges: The Rise and Fall of an American Dreamer
    6.3/10(7 votes)

    #14 - Preston Sturges: The Rise and Fall of an American Dreamer

    S5:E1

    The life of the famous director and scriptwriter, from his writings for the stage to his Hollywood acclaim.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. American Masters Season 4 Episode 9 - Harold Lloyd: The Third Genius
    6.2/10(4 votes)

    #15 - Harold Lloyd: The Third Genius

    S4:E9

    Profile of the comedy standout from the silent era who is often mentioned third behind Chaplin and Keaton.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. American Masters Season 3 Episode 8 - Broadway's Dreamers: The Legacy of the Group Theatre
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - Broadway's Dreamers: The Legacy of the Group Theatre

    S3:E8

    The story of "method" acting.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. American Masters Season 5 Episode 3 - Martin Scorsese Directs
    6.0/10(3 votes)

    #17 - Martin Scorsese Directs

    S5:E3

    Interviews and film clips document the hard-hitting film work of Scorsese.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. American Masters Season 10 Episode 5 - Nichols and May: Take Two
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #18 - Nichols and May: Take Two

    S10:E5

    A chronicle of the 1950s comedy team and the short-lived but memorable career of the duo.

    Director:Phillip Schopper
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. American Masters Season 11 Episode 1 - Lena Horne: In Her Own Voice
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #19 - 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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  20. American Masters Season 30 Episode 2 - B.B. King: The Life of Riley
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #20 - B.B. King: The Life of Riley

    S30:E2

    The challenging life and career of blues guitarist B.B. King; candid interviews feature Bono, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and Ringo Starr.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. American Masters Season 34 Episode 2 - Mae West: Dirty Blonde
    3.8/10(4 votes)

    #21 - Mae West: Dirty Blonde

    S34:E2

    American Masters — Mae West: Dirty Blonde is the first major documentary film to explore Mae West’s life and career as she "climbed the ladder of success wrong by wrong" to become a writer, performer and subversive agitator for social change. West achieved great acclaim in every entertainment medium that existed during her lifetime, spanning eight decades of the 20th century. She possessed creative and economic powers unheard of for a female entertainer in the 1930s and still rare today.

    Directors:Julia Marchesi, Sally Rosenthal
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. American Masters Season 40 Episode 1 - Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire
    1.0/10(1 votes)

    #22 - Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire

    S40:E1

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. American Masters Season 40 Episode 2 - Sun Ra: Do the Impossible
    1.0/10(1 votes)

    #23 - Sun Ra: Do the Impossible

    S40:E2

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. American Masters Season 40 Episode 3 - Bella! This Woman's Place Is in the House
    1.0/10(1 votes)

    #24 - Bella! This Woman's Place Is in the House

    S40:E3

    No description available

    Director:Jeff L. Lieberman
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. American Masters Season 1 Episode 1 - Private Conversations: On the Set of 'Death of a Salesman'
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #25 - Private Conversations: On the Set of 'Death of a Salesman'

    S1:E1

    A behind-the-scenes look at the filming of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman for television.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"John Cassavetes" is the best rated episode of "American Masters". It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 7/9/1990. This episode scored 1.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Lou Reed: Rock and Roll Heart".