The Best Episodes of American Masters Season 30

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   7.4/10(190 votes)

   #1 - Mike Nichols

   S30:E11/29/2016

   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.

   Director:Elaine May

   Writer:Unknown

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Elaine May

   Writer:Unknown
2. 

   7.9/10(42 votes)

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

   S30:E22/12/2016

   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

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
3. 

   8.0/10(100 votes)

   #3 - Carole King: Natural Woman

   S30:E32/19/2016

   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.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
4. 

   7.4/10(80 votes)

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

   S30:E42/26/2016

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

   Director:Joe Lauro

   Writers:Rick Coleman, Joe Lauro

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Joe Lauro

   Writers:Rick Coleman, Joe Lauro
5. 

   7.8/10(115 votes)

   #5 - Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl

   S30:E53/4/2016

   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.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
6. 

   7.9/10(62 votes)

   #6 - Janis: Little Girl Blue

   S30:E65/3/2016

   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.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
TRENDING NOW
The 20 BEST Episodes of American Masters
READ
7. 

   7.3/10(55 votes)

   #7 - The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End

   S30:E75/27/2016

   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.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
8. 

   8.2/10(108 votes)

   #8 - Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You

   S30:E810/25/2016

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

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
9. 

   7.3/10(31 votes)

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

   S30:E912/27/2016

   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.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown