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The Best Episodes of American Masters Season 30

Every episode of American Masters Season 30 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of American Masters Season 30!

The Best Episodes of American Masters Season 30

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...
  1. Background image for Mike Nichols
    7.4/10(187 votes)

    #1 - Mike Nichols

    S30:E1

    The life and 50-year career of director Mike Nichols, one of only two people who have won Peabody, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.

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    Director:Elaine May
    Writer:Unknown
  2. Background image for B.B. King: The Life of Riley
    7.8/10(42 votes)

    #2 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for Carole King: Natural Woman
    7.9/10(99 votes)

    #3 - Carole King: Natural Woman

    S30:E3

    Rare home movies, performances and photos help illustrate the life and career of singer-songwriter Carole King, from 1960s New York to Los Angeles in the 1970s to the present.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for Fats Domino and the Birth of Rock 'n' Roll
    7.4/10(78 votes)

    #4 - Fats Domino and the Birth of Rock 'n' Roll

    S30:E4

    The New Orleans rhythm and blues of Fats Domino helped aid integration in the South.

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  5. Background image for Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl
    7.8/10(114 votes)

    #5 - Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl

    S30:E5

    A profile of country music icon Loretta Lynn, whose hard-fought road to stardom was dramatized in the 1980 film "Coal Miner's Daughter." Included: home movies, photos and concert footage, plus insights from family, friends and fellow musicians, including Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, Jack White and Trisha Yearwood.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for Janis: Little Girl Blue
    7.9/10(61 votes)

    #6 - Janis: Little Girl Blue

    S30:E6

    One of the most revered and influential rock ’n’ roll singers of all time, Janis Joplin (January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970) thrilled audiences and blazed new creative trails before her death at age 27. Oscar-nominated director Amy Berg (Deliver Us From Evil, West of Memphis, Prophet’s Prey) examines Joplin’s story in depth, for the first time on film, presenting an intimate portrait of a complicated and driven artist.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  8. Background image for The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End
    7.2/10(53 votes)

    #7 - The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End

    S30:E7

    Discover the story behind the pioneering outlaw country music supergroup that featured Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson, told through vintage performances and new interviews about life on the road and in the studio.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You
    8.2/10(106 votes)

    #8 - Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You

    S30:E8

    Writer/producer Norman Lear's turbulent childhood, early success with sitcoms “All in the Family,” “The Jeffersons,” “Good Times” and “Maude,” and social activism.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for Eero Saarinen: The Architect Who Saw the Future
    7.3/10(30 votes)

    #9 - Eero Saarinen: The Architect Who Saw the Future

    S30:E9

    The film explores the life and visionary work of Finnish-American modernist architectural giant Eero Saarinen (1910-1961). Best known for designing National Historic Landmarks such as St. Louis’ iconic Gateway Arch and the General Motors Technical Center (Warren, Mich.), Saarinen also designed New York’s TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Yale University’s Ingalls Rink and Morse and Ezra Stiles Colleges, Virginia’s Dulles Airport, and modernist pedestal furniture like the Tulip chair.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

Season 30 Ratings Summary

"Mike Nichols" is the best rated episode of "American Masters" season 30. It scored 7.4/10 based on 187 votes. Directed by Elaine May and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/29/2016. This episode is rated 0.4 points higher than the second-best, "B.B. King: The Life of Riley".