The BEST episodes of American Masters season 31

Every episode of American Masters season 31, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of American Masters season 31!

To honor America's most notable creative artists and the inspiration behind their work. Special broadcasts profiles a cross-section of the nation's finest artistic pioneers from the past and present.

Last Updated: 12/8/2024Network: PBSStatus: Continuing
star
9.00
1 votes

#1 - Richard Linklater: Dream Is Destiny

Season 31 - Episode 6 - Aired 9/1/2017

A trove of never-before-seen archival footage provides an unconventional look at the fiercely independent style of filmmaking that emerged out of Austin, Texas in the late 1980s and 1990s with Linklater as its poster boy.

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Tyrus Wong
star
8.33
3 votes

#2 - Tyrus Wong

Season 31 - Episode 7 - Aired 9/8/2017

The unlikely story of 106-year old Chinese American artist Tyrus Wong, and how he overcame poverty and racism in America to become a celebrated modernist painter, Hollywood sketch artist, and “Disney Legend” for his groundbreaking work on the classic animated film, Bambi.

Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.17
6 votes

#3 - Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

Season 31 - Episode 2 - Aired 2/21/2017

The life of author and activist Maya Angelou, with comments from Oprah Winfrey, Common, Bill and Hillary Clinton and others.

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James Beard: America's First Foodie
star
8.00
5 votes

#4 - James Beard: America's First Foodie

Season 31 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/19/2017

Experience a century of food through the life of one man, James Beard (1903-1985). Dubbed the “Dean of American Cookery” by The New York Times, Beard was a Portland, Ore., native who loved and celebrated the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. He spoke of the importance of localism and sustainability long before those terms had entered the vernacular.

Watch Now:Amazon
Jacques Pépin: The Art of Craft
star
8.00
4 votes

#5 - Jacques Pépin: The Art of Craft

Season 31 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/26/2017

Discover the story of Chef Jacques Pépin (b. December 18, 1935), a young immigrant with movie-star looks, a charming Gallic accent, and a mastery of cooking and teaching so breathtaking he became an early food icon—joining James Beard and Julia Child among the handful of Americans who transformed the way the country views the food world

Watch Now:Amazon
star
7.80
5 votes

#6 - By Sidney Lumet

Season 31 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/3/2017

In a 2008 interview, director Sidney Lumet talks about his life and career, which included 44 films in 50 years.

Watch Now:Amazon
star
7.00
3 votes

#7 - Patsy Cline

Season 31 - Episode 3 - Aired 3/1/2017

A profile of influential country singer Patsy Cline (1932-63), featuring archival performances of such songs as "Walkin' After Midnight," "I Fall to Pieces" and "Crazy"; and remarks from artists who knew her and others influenced by her.

star
7.00
5 votes

#8 - Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive

Season 31 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/30/2017

A profile of Edgar Allan Poe (1809-49), who's best known for his Gothic horror tales and narrative poem "The Raven." He also created the detective fiction genre with "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" in 1841; and published more comedies than horror. After Poe's untimely death, a literary rival penned a high-profile, decidedly unflattering obituary that made him sound like one of the narrators of his horror tales. The truth, of course, is far more complex. Here, Poe experts correct the record.

star
6.50
4 votes

#9 - This Is Bob Hope

Season 31 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/13/2017

A candid look at a remarkable life with unprecedented access to Bob Hope’s personal archives, including writings voiced by Billy Crystal and clips from Hope’s body of work to reveal a gifted and very human individual who recognized the power of fame, embraced its responsibilities and handled celebrity with extraordinary wit and grace.

star
0.00
0 votes

#10 - Inspiring Woman Web Series

Season 31 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/8/2017

Six innovators tell their own stories and explain how they’re changing their respective industries: podcast host Tracy Clayton, Chef Angie Mar, JavaScript developer Sara Chipps, web-cam performance artist Molly Soda, entrepreneur Rakia Reynolds, and visual artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh.