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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 4 - The Unknown Chaplin (1)
    0.0/10(0 votes)

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

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

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

    #4 - 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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  5. American Masters Season 1 Episode 9 - Aaron Copland: A Self Portrait
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    #5 - 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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  6. American Masters Season 1 Episode 10 - Thomas Eakins: A Motion Portrait
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #6 - 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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  7. American Masters Season 1 Episode 11 - Georgia O'Keeffe
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    #7 - 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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  8. American Masters Season 2 Episode 4 - Nik and Murray
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #8 - 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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  9. American Masters Season 2 Episode 6 - Maurice Sendak: Mon Cher Papa
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    #9 - 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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  10. American Masters Season 3 Episode 3 - Andre Kertesz of the Cities
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #10 - 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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  11. American Masters Season 3 Episode 6 - Saint-Gaudens: Masque of the Golden Bowl
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    #11 - Saint-Gaudens: Masque of the Golden Bowl

    S3:E6

    A dramatic recreation of the work and career of a renowned sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. American Masters Season 4 Episode 6 - Jasper Johns: Ideas in Paint
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    #12 - Jasper Johns: Ideas in Paint

    S4:E6

    The mind of a famed neo-abstractionist painter as it expresses itself on canvas.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. American Masters Season 6 Episode 9 - Waldo Salt: A Screenwriter's Journey
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #13 - Waldo Salt: A Screenwriter's Journey

    S6:E9

    Documentary on the writer who made his way back from the entertainment industry "blacklist" and became an acclaimed success.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. American Masters Season 10 Episode 2 - William Styron: The Way of the Writer
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    #14 - William Styron: The Way of the Writer

    S10:E2

    A retrospective on the author's writings including commentary from his professional associates.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. American Masters Season 13 Episode 2 - The Line King: Al Hirschfeld
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #15 - The Line King: Al Hirschfeld

    S13:E2

    An in-depth look at the famous art and caricatures of Al Hirschfeld.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. American Masters Season 14 Episode 4 - Paul Taylor: Dancemaker
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #16 - Paul Taylor: Dancemaker

    S14:E4

    The story of a choreographer who contributed much to the style of American performance dance in the modern era.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. American Masters Season 20 Episode 9 - Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens
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    #17 - Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens

    S20:E9

    This film traces the artistic self-realization of Annie Leibovitz, from childhood through the death of her beloved friend, Susan Sontag, and includes snippets of Leibovitz's last visual memories of Sontag. The film traces the arc of her photographic life, her aspirations to artistry, and the trajectory of her career through phases that included the tumultuous sixties in Berkeley, CA., touring with the Rolling Stones, a mentorship by Hunter S. Thompson, and, later, capturing the last candid moments of John Lennon's life with Yoko Ono. It closes with her reflections on life, children, and the the wake of her relationship with Sontag. The archival material presented here is invaluable for framing an understanding of this immeasurably influential visual artist.

    Director:Barbara Leibovitz
    Writer:Barbara Leibovitz

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  18. American Masters Season 22 Episode 5 - You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: Good War, Uneasy Peace (1935-1950)
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #18 - You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: Good War, Uneasy Peace (1935-1950)

    S22:E5

    "Good War, Uneasy Peace (1935-50)" focuses on how Warner Bros. responded to the Great Depression and World War II, when such stars as Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis and Errol Flynn graced its pictures. Also: the post-war film noirs are explored. Included: "Casablanca," "Now, Voyager," "The Adventures of Robin Hood," "Kings Row" and "White Heat"; interviews with James Cagney, Howard Hawks, Ronald Reagan and Alexis Smith. Clint Eastwood narrates.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. American Masters Season 22 Episode 6 - You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: A New Reality (1950-1970)
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #19 - You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: A New Reality (1950-1970)

    S22:E6

    "A New Reality (1950-70)" details how Warner Bros. fought back against TV with such innovations as CinemaScope and 3-D, as well as with such new stars as Doris Day and James Dean. Also: how a battle between Jack and Harry Warner changed the studio's direction. Included: "A Streetcar Named Desire," "East of Eden," "Cool Hand Luke," "A Face in the Crowd" and "My Fair Lady"; interviews with Warren Beatty, Elia Kazan, Kim Hunter, Arthur Penn and Carroll Baker. Clint Eastwood narrates.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. American Masters Season 22 Episode 7 - You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: Woodstock Notions (1970-1989)
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #20 - You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: Woodstock Notions (1970-1989)

    S22:E7

    "Woodstock Notions (1970-89)" recalls the creative renaissance of Warner Bros. during the 1970s and '80s. Included: "Mean Streets," "The Exorcist," "Superman: The Movie," "The Shining" and "Body Heat"; interviews with Dustin Hoffman, Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson and Robert Redford. Eastwood narrates.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. American Masters Season 22 Episode 8 - You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: The Big Tent (1980-Present)
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #21 - You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: The Big Tent (1980-Present)

    S22:E8

    "The Big Tent (1980-Present)" chronicles the success of Warner Bros. during the 1980s, '90s and 2000s, including Clint Eastwood's Oscar winners, "The Matrix" franchise and the Harry Potter films. Included: "The Color Purple," "Unforgiven," "Mystic River," "Michael Clayton" and "The Departed"; interviews with Tim Burton, George Clooney, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. Eastwood narrates

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. American Masters Season 22 Episode 9 - The Brothers Warner
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #22 - The Brothers Warner

    S22:E9

    An intimate portrait of the four Warner brothers and their rise to movie-making greatness.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. American Masters Season 25 Episode 6 - Bill T. Jones: A Good Man
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #23 - Bill T. Jones: A Good Man

    S25:E6

    Bill T. Jones, the recipient of a prestigious MacArthur "genius" grant and winner of two Tony Awards, has been named "an irreplaceable treasure" by the The Dance Heritage Coalition. Above all, he is a socially conscious choreographer who never shies away from controversy -- tackling thorny subjects such as race and politics with elegance and intelligence, artistry and originality.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. American Masters Season 26 Episode 8 - Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #24 - Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance

    S26:E8

    Documenting how the Joffrey revolutionized American ballet – combining modern dance with classic technique, art with social statement and rock music with traditional choreography – this film is a palpable expression of Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino’s vision and artistry.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. American Masters Season 28 Episode 1 - Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did for Love
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #25 - Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did for Love

    S28:E1

    A profile of composer Marvin Hamlisch (1944-2012), featuring remarks from family and such friends as Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon, Steven Soderbergh, Quincy Jones, Tim Rice, Christopher Walken, Joe Torre, Woody Allen, John Lithgow and Ann-Margret. Among his credits: the hits "The Way We Were" and "Nobody Does It Better"; and the scores for "The Sting," "Sophie's Choice" and the Broadway smash "A Chorus Line."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The Unknown Chaplin (1)" 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 7/14/1986. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The Unknown Chaplin (2)".