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The Worst Episodes of American Masters

Every episode of American Masters ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst 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 Worst Episode
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    American Masters Season 1 Episode 1 - Private Conversations: On the Set of 'Death of a Salesman'
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #1 - 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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  2. American Masters Season 1 Episode 2 - Philip Johnson, Self Portrait
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #2 - Philip Johnson, Self Portrait

    S1:E2

    One of America's best-known architects is profiled, with emphasis on his early career and his later movement away from minimalism.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. American Masters Season 1 Episode 3 - Katherine Anne Porter: The Eye of Memory
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #3 - Katherine Anne Porter: The Eye of Memory

    S1:E3

    A biography of the well-known social critic and author Katherine Anne Porter.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. American Masters Season 1 Episode 4 - The Unknown Chaplin (1)
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #4 - The Unknown Chaplin (1)

    S1:E4

    An in-depth treatment of the life and sensibilities of the innovative silent film superstar Charlie Chaplin.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. American Masters Season 1 Episode 5 - The Unknown Chaplin (2)
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #5 - The Unknown Chaplin (2)

    S1:E5

    An in-depth treatment of the life and sensibilities of the innovative silent film superstar Charlie Chaplin.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. American Masters Season 1 Episode 6 - The Unknown Chaplin (3)
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #6 - The Unknown Chaplin (3)

    S1:E6

    An in-depth treatment of the life and sensibilities of the innovative silent film superstar Charlie Chaplin.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of American Masters

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  7. American Masters Season 1 Episode 7 - Billie Holiday: The Long Night of Lady Day
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #7 - Billie Holiday: The Long Night of Lady Day

    S1:E7

    A biography of Billie Holiday, one of America's most unique and emotional jazz singers and the tragic end of her life at an early age.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. American Masters Season 1 Episode 8 - James Levine: A Life in Music
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #8 - James Levine: A Life in Music

    S1:E8

    The musical career of the long-time conductor of New York City's Metropolitan Opera as reflected by following his normal working day on camera.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. American Masters Season 1 Episode 9 - Aaron Copland: A Self Portrait
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #9 - Aaron Copland: A Self Portrait

    S1:E9

    One of America's signature classical composers and the unique elements he incorporated into his pieces.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. American Masters Season 1 Episode 10 - Thomas Eakins: A Motion Portrait
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #10 - Thomas Eakins: A Motion Portrait

    S1:E10

    The strikingly realistic and unsentimental paintings of the noted artist from Philadelphia.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. American Masters Season 1 Episode 11 - Georgia O'Keeffe
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #11 - Georgia O'Keeffe

    S1:E11

    A profile of the noted American artist originally produced to celebrate her 90th birthday.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. American Masters Season 1 Episode 12 - Eugene O'Neill: A Glory of Ghosts
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #12 - Eugene O'Neill: A Glory of Ghosts

    S1:E12

    No description available

    Director:Perry Miller Adato
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. American Masters Season 2 Episode 1 - Isaac in America: A Journey with Isaac Bashevis Singer
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #13 - Isaac in America: A Journey with Isaac Bashevis Singer

    S2:E1

    A profile of the literary work of Isaac Bashevis Singer and his influence on preserving Jewish culture and the Yiddish language.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. American Masters Season 2 Episode 3 - Rubinstein Remembered
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #14 - Rubinstein Remembered

    S2:E3

    A trip through the life and works of the piano virtuoso Arthur Rubinstein conducted by his son John.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. American Masters Season 2 Episode 4 - Nik and Murray
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #15 - Nik and Murray

    S2:E4

    A story of two talented personalities, Alwin Nikolais and Murray Louis, and their collaborations in the world of dance.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. American Masters Season 2 Episode 5 - George Gershwin Remembered
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #16 - George Gershwin Remembered

    S2:E5

    The music of the unique American master composer (as well as his brother Ira) with insights from his collaborators and friends.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. American Masters Season 2 Episode 6 - Maurice Sendak: Mon Cher Papa
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #17 - Maurice Sendak: Mon Cher Papa

    S2:E6

    An installment that shows the author and illustrator at work staging a production of a Mozart opera.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. American Masters Season 2 Episode 7 - The Negro Ensemble Company
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #18 - The Negro Ensemble Company

    S2:E7

    An ode to the work of the African American theater group founded in the late 60s and its impact on the performing arts.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. American Masters Season 2 Episode 8 - Unanswered Prayers: The Life and Times of Truman Capote
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #19 - Unanswered Prayers: The Life and Times of Truman Capote

    S2:E8

    The evolution of the novelist and his impact on other artists and American culture.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. American Masters Season 2 Episode 9 - The Ten-Year Lunch: The Wit and Legend of the Algonquin Round Table
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #20 - The Ten-Year Lunch: The Wit and Legend of the Algonquin Round Table

    S2:E9

    A history of the famed social gathering of leaders, intellectuals, writers, and artists.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. American Masters Season 2 Episode 10 - Buster Keaton: Hard Act to Follow
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #21 - Buster Keaton: Hard Act to Follow

    S2:E10

    The story of the silent-era star who brought brilliance and originality to physical comedy.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. American Masters Season 3 Episode 1 - Lillian Gish: The Actor's Life for Me
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #22 - Lillian Gish: The Actor's Life for Me

    S3:E1

    The famed career of the silent movie actress and an examination of the role of women in film during that era of American cinema.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. American Masters Season 3 Episode 2 - A Duke Named Ellington
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #23 - A Duke Named Ellington

    S3:E2

    Detailed biography of the renowned jazz performer/conductor Duke Ellington and his band, including his easy-going grace and sophistication.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. American Masters Season 3 Episode 3 - Andre Kertesz of the Cities
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #24 - Andre Kertesz of the Cities

    S3:E3

    A retrospective of the urban photography of Andre Kertesz, told by tracking him in the final years before his death.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. American Masters Season 3 Episode 4 - Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #25 - Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul

    S3:E4

    Franklin's life - from gospel to Grammy Awards.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Private Conversations: On the Set of 'Death of a Salesman'" is the worst rated episode of "American Masters". It scored /10 based on 0 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 6/23/1986. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Philip Johnson, Self Portrait".