American Soul backdrop
Drama

The Best Episodes of American Soul

Every episode of American Soul ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of American Soul!

Binge this in 4h 0m•Peaking at 8.2/10

The story of entrepreneur Don Cornelius, who developed the Soul Train show, which rose to prominence in the 1970s.

Airs on
BET
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons2

All12

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    American Soul Season 1 Episode 8 - Nothing Ventured... Nothing Gained
    8.2/10(23 votes)

    #1 - Nothing Ventured... Nothing Gained

    S1:E8

    When Dick Clark debuts a rival show, Don enlists the help of a renowned activist to take him down; JT makes a deal with the Crips in order to protect his family; Tessa auditions for a dance troupe and has a run-in with her past.

    Director:Angela Barnes
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. American Soul Season 1 Episode 2 - Continuous Revolution in Progress
    8.1/10(40 votes)

    #2 - Continuous Revolution in Progress

    S1:E2

    Don works with an unlikely partner, Tessa has second thoughts, JT's old friend leads him down the wrong path, and the Clarke family awaits Joseph's return from Vietnam.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. American Soul Season 1 Episode 3 - Lost and Found
    8.1/10(23 votes)

    #3 - Lost and Found

    S1:E3

    An unexpected visitor forces Don to reevaluate his new life. The Clarke family tries to pick up the pieces after their devastating loss. Patrick's loyalties are tested as the cop killer investigation heats up.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. American Soul Season 1 Episode 4 - Just Us
    8.1/10(24 votes)

    #4 - Just Us

    S1:E4

    Don figures out a new creative way to score top talent for the show. Tessa goes to the extreme to get the dancers into shape only to end up hurting the show. JT's family is hanging by a thread.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:A. Zell Williams

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. American Soul Season 1 Episode 10 - Proceed With Caution
    8.1/10(18 votes)

    #5 - Proceed With Caution

    S1:E10

    Simone, Kendall, and JT must reconcile their own lives before committing to the group.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. American Soul Season 2 Episode 4 - Lovely Day
    8.1/10(16 votes)

    #6 - Lovely Day

    S2:E4

    Tessa must rein in Sly and the Family Stone, Flo calls out Simone on how she treated Kendall, and Don gets flack when he books a famous white musician.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of American Soul

    READ
  7. American Soul Season 1 Episode 7 - Nothing to Fear
    8.0/10(24 votes)

    #7 - Nothing to Fear

    S1:E7

    Don celebrates the success of the "Soul Train" in Chicago but discovers it may cost him more than he bargained for; the dancers have a run-in with racists.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. American Soul Season 1 Episode 9 - 68 BC
    8.0/10(25 votes)

    #8 - 68 BC

    S1:E9

    In 1968 Don takes one step towards his dreams while dealing with his father's failing health; an estranged uncle with a dark agenda threatens the Clarke security; the Tuckers put the move to Oklahoma on hold so JT can pursue music.

    Director:Angela Barnes
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. American Soul Season 1 Episode 5 - Fault Lines
    7.9/10(23 votes)

    #9 - Fault Lines

    S1:E5

    Don has to save the show after a powerful earthquake almost brings the whole thing crashing down; Tessa has to make a choice between her career and the striking "Soul Train" dancers.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. American Soul Season 1 Episode 6 - What Are You Looking At?
    7.9/10(23 votes)

    #10 - What Are You Looking At?

    S1:E6

    Don is forced into a complicated situation when Little Richard threatens to not perform on the show; the Clarke family clashes over their new houseguest; Gerald fights for his life against his business rival gangster.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. American Soul Season 2 Episode 3 - Satisfaction
    7.9/10(16 votes)

    #11 - Satisfaction

    S2:E3

    Simone thanks JT for helping her get back on "Soul Train," JT accepts a promotion to "run errands" for Gerald, and Don gets shot down by a successful publicist.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. American Soul Season 1 Episode 1 - Man Is First Destiny
    7.7/10(53 votes)

    #12 - Man Is First Destiny

    S1:E1

    Don risks everything to land an A-List performer in order to take Soul Train nationwide. While Tessa struggles to live up to Don's expectations, she discovers a new act that could be the next big thing.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. American Soul Season 2 Episode 5 - Say You Love Me
    7.4/10(14 votes)

    #13 - Say You Love Me

    S2:E5

    On the eve of their performance of Soul Train, James Brown loses his best musicians Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker. Don and Gerald help James get them back while learning a lesson in humility.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. American Soul Season 2 Episode 6 - Low Rider
    7.4/10(13 votes)

    #14 - Low Rider

    S2:E6

    Simone steps up as JT attempts to get custody of his sister, Ruby uses her connections to impress Don, and Gerald and Don's loyalty to each other is tested.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. American Soul Season 2 Episode 8 - So Long, Sucker
    7.3/10(14 votes)

    #15 - So Long, Sucker

    S2:E8

    As Don battle his raging migraines, he looks to secure a new talk show with the network; after surviving their near death experience, Simone and JT search for their own independence and win over Aiya's foster parents.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. American Soul Season 2 Episode 7 - Love Will Keep Us Together
    7.2/10(12 votes)

    #16 - Love Will Keep Us Together

    S2:E7

    Don rushes back home to Chicago after his son Raymond alerts him of an altercation with the neighbor. Meanwhile, in the aftermath of 206, Ruby looks to get revenge on Don and Gerald.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. American Soul Season 2 Episode 2 - Fame
    7.1/10(13 votes)

    #17 - Fame

    S2:E2

    Tessa and Brooks deal with the fallout from Don's temper, Simone attempts to get back on "Soul Train" as a dancer, and Gerald tries to keep Ruby away from Don.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. American Soul Season 2 Episode 1 - 1975
    6.3/10(14 votes)

    #18 - 1975

    S2:E1

    Simone handles a sticky situation, Gerald double-crosses someone from his past, and Don questions Dolores's motives as his health continues to decline.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Nothing Ventured... Nothing Gained" is the best rated episode of "American Soul". It scored 8.2/10 based on 23 votes. Directed by Angela Barnes and written by Unknown, it aired on 3/19/2019. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Continuous Revolution in Progress".