The WORST episodes of American Masters
Every episode of American Masters ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of American Masters!
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.
#1 - 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.
#2 - You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story
Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/23/1990
The career of Porter as seen through filmed versions of his work and commentary from performance stars.
#3 - Martin Scorsese Directs
Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 7/16/1990
Interviews and film clips document the hard-hitting film work of Scorsese.
#4 - Preston Sturges: The Rise and Fall of an American Dreamer
Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 7/2/1990
The life of the famous director and scriptwriter, from his writings for the stage to his Hollywood acclaim.
#5 - Milos Forman: Portrait
Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 12/20/1989
Throughout his career, Czechoslovakian-born filmmaker Milos Forman has combined a unique sensitivity to American themes with the best of European cinematic sensibilities.
#6 - W. Eugene Smith: Photography Made Difficult
Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired 9/25/1989
The work of the provacative photographer for Life magazine.
#7 - Mort Sahl: Shaping Laughter
Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 9/18/1989
The biting comedic satire of Mort Sahl and his rise to prominence in the 1960s.
#8 - Jasper Johns: Ideas in Paint
Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 9/11/1989
The mind of a famed neo-abstractionist painter as it expresses itself on canvas.
#9 - Harold Clurman: A Life of Theatre
Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 7/3/1989
The life of the renowned Broadway director and arts critic, as well as co-founder of New York's Group Theatre.
#10 - Broadway's Dreamers: The Legacy of Group Theatre
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 6/26/1989
In 1931, 3 young idealists, Harold Clurman, Cheryl Crawford and Lee Strasberg, were inspired by a passionate dream of transforming the American theater. This is the story of "method" acting.
#11 - Andre Kertész 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.
#12 - Edward R. Murrow: This Reporter
Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/30/1990
The fascinating life of the model for the "hard-boiled" radio and television journalist.
#13 - 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.
#14 - 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.
#15 - 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.
#16 - 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. Her story and career are portrayed through rare archival film and television appearances, memorable renditions of her greatest songs, and interviews with friends and colleagues.
#17 - Norman Rockwell: Painting America
Season 14 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/24/1999
A warm and indelible portrait of one of America's most beloved artists.
#18 - Cachao: Uno Más
Season 24 - Episode 5 - Aired 9/20/2010
A feature on the Cuban-born bassist Israel "Cachao" Lopez, an internationally renowned musician, composer, and pioneer of Mambo.
#19 - Quincy Jones: In the Pocket
Season 16 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/18/2001
Profile of the career of the ground-breaking musician and producer.
#20 - Harold Lloyd: The Third Genius
Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/15/1989
Profile of the comedy standout from the silent era who is often mentioned third behind Chaplin and Keaton.
#21 - A Conversation with Gregory Peck
Season 15 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/18/2001
Documentary following the Hollywood star Gregory Peck on a tour of speaking engagements, as well as at home with his family in America and Italy. His career is illustrated by extracts from such movies as To Kill a Mockingbird, Roman Holiday, Cape Fear and McArthur.
#22 - Martha Graham: Revolt and Passion
Season 8 - Episode 2 - Aired 5/13/1994
A documentary of the masterful American dancer.
#23 - Jack Paar: As I Was Saying...
Season 11 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/7/1997
A feature on the career of the famed television host and how he entered and left the TV industry.
#24 - Man Ray: Prophet of the Avant-Garde
Season 11 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/9/1997
Biography of a multi-media artist and his ground-breaking works of artistic expression.
#25 - Nichols & May: Take Two
Season 10 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/22/1996
A chronicle of the 1950s comedy team of Mike Nichols and Elaine May, whose short-lived but memorable career revolutionized the landscape of American comedy.