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The Worst Episodes of American Masters

Genre:Documentary
Network:PBS

Every episode of American Masters ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of American Masters!

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...
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Filter By Season (39)

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

    Season 1 Episode 1

    Aired 6/23/1986

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • Philip Johnson, Self Portrait
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    #2 - Philip Johnson, Self Portrait

    Season 1 Episode 2

    Aired 6/30/1986

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • Katherine Anne Porter: The Eye of Memory
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    #3 - Katherine Anne Porter: The Eye of Memory

    Season 1 Episode 3

    Aired 7/7/1986

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • The Unknown Chaplin (1)
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    #4 - The Unknown Chaplin (1)

    Season 1 Episode 4

    Aired 7/14/1986

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • The Unknown Chaplin (2)
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    #5 - The Unknown Chaplin (2)

    Season 1 Episode 5

    Aired 7/21/1986

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • The Unknown Chaplin (3)
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    #6 - The Unknown Chaplin (3)

    Season 1 Episode 6

    Aired 7/28/1986

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
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  • Billie Holiday: The Long Night of Lady Day
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    #7 - Billie Holiday: The Long Night of Lady Day

    Season 1 Episode 7

    Aired 8/4/1986

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • James Levine: A Life in Music
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    #8 - James Levine: A Life in Music

    Season 1 Episode 8

    Aired 8/11/1986

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • Aaron Copland: A Self Portrait
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    #9 - Aaron Copland: A Self Portrait

    Season 1 Episode 9

    Aired 8/18/1986

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • Thomas Eakins: A Motion Portrait
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    #10 - Thomas Eakins: A Motion Portrait

    Season 1 Episode 10

    Aired 8/25/1986

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • Georgia O'Keeffe
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    #11 - Georgia O'Keeffe

    Season 1 Episode 11

    Aired 9/1/1986

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • Eugene O'Neill: A Glory of Ghosts
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    #12 - Eugene O'Neill: A Glory of Ghosts

    Season 1 Episode 12

    Aired 9/8/1986

    No description available

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • Isaac in America: A Journey with Isaac Bashevis Singer
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    #13 - Isaac in America: A Journey with Isaac Bashevis Singer

    Season 2 Episode 1

    Aired 7/6/1987

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • Rubinstein Remembered
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    #14 - Rubinstein Remembered

    Season 2 Episode 3

    Aired 7/20/1987

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • Nik and Murray
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    #15 - Nik and Murray

    Season 2 Episode 4

    Aired 7/27/1987

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • George Gershwin Remembered
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    #16 - George Gershwin Remembered

    Season 2 Episode 5

    Aired 8/24/1987

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • Maurice Sendak: Mon Cher Papa
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    #17 - Maurice Sendak: Mon Cher Papa

    Season 2 Episode 6

    Aired 8/31/1987

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • The Negro Ensemble Company
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    #18 - The Negro Ensemble Company

    Season 2 Episode 7

    Aired 9/14/1987

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • Unanswered Prayers: The Life and Times of Truman Capote
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    #19 - Unanswered Prayers: The Life and Times of Truman Capote

    Season 2 Episode 8

    Aired 9/21/1987

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • The Ten-Year Lunch: The Wit and Legend of the Algonquin Round Table
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    #20 - The Ten-Year Lunch: The Wit and Legend of the Algonquin Round Table

    Season 2 Episode 9

    Aired 9/28/1987

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • Buster Keaton: Hard Act to Follow
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    #21 - Buster Keaton: Hard Act to Follow

    Season 2 Episode 10

    Aired 11/18/1987

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • Lillian Gish: The Actor's Life for Me
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    #22 - Lillian Gish: The Actor's Life for Me

    Season 3 Episode 1

    Aired 7/11/1988

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • A Duke Named Ellington
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    #23 - A Duke Named Ellington

    Season 3 Episode 2

    Aired 7/18/1988

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • Andre Kertesz of the Cities
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    #24 - Andre Kertesz of the Cities

    Season 3 Episode 3

    Aired 8/8/1988

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0
  • Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul
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    #25 - Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul

    Season 3 Episode 4

    Aired 8/22/1988

    Franklin's life - from gospel to Grammy Awards.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

    Comments

    0

Worst Episodes Summary

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