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 - Harold Clurman: A Life of Theatre
Season 5 - 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.
#2 - Sanford Meisner: The Theater's Best Kept Secret
Season 6 - Episode 7 - Aired 8/27/1990
The work of an acting coach and instructor who had a profound impact on the American stage.
#3 - John Hammond: From Bessie Smith to Bruce Springsteen
Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired 8/20/1990
A documentary on the 50 year career of a legendary producer of recording artists and musicians.
#4 - Edward R. Murrow: This Reporter
Season 6 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/30/1990
The fascinating life of the model for the "hard-boiled" radio and television journalist.
#5 - You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story
Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 7/23/1990
The career of Porter as seen through filmed versions of his work and commentary from performance stars.
#6 - Milos Forman: Portrait
Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/20/1989
The movies of the Academy Award-winning motion picture maker.
#7 - W. Eugene Smith: Photography Made Difficult
Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 9/25/1989
The work of the provacative photographer for Life magazine.
#8 - Jasper Johns: Ideas in Paint
Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 9/11/1989
The mind of a famed neo-abstractionist painter as it expresses itself on canvas.
#9 - James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket
Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 8/14/1989
The noted author, his battles against racism, and its expression in his books.
#10 - Stella Adler: Awake and Dream!
Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 7/10/1989
A retrospective on the career of one of America's finest teachers of acting technique.
#11 - Sarah Vaughan: The Divine One
Season 7 - Episode 4 - Aired 7/29/1991
A look at the soulful interpretations of the remarkable singer, mostly through filmed performances.
#12 - Broadway's Dreamers: The Legacy of Group Theater
Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/26/1989
The story of "method" acting.
#13 - Neil Simon: Not Just for Laughs
Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/8/1989
The whimsical work of the beloved playwright.
#14 - Lillian Gish: The Actor's Life for Me
Season 4 - 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.
#15 - Georgia O'Keeffe
Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 9/1/1986
A profile of the noted American artist originally produced to celebrate her 90th birthday.
#16 - Aaron Copland: A Self Portrait
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/18/1986
One of America's signature classical composers and the unique elements he incorporated into his pieces.
#17 - James Levine: A Life in Music
Season 2 - 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.
#18 - Billie Holiday: The Long Night of Lady Day
Season 2 - 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.
#19 - The Unknown Chaplin (1)
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 7/14/1986
#20 - Benny Goodman: Adventures in the Kingdom of Swing
Season 9 - Episode 1 - Aired 12/8/1993
The life of the clarinetist and band leader known as the "King of Swing."
#21 - The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg
Season 13 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/17/1997
The poetry of the noted "beat generation" poet and the post World War II lifestyle and values reflected within his works.
#22 - Isamu Noguchi: Stones and Paper
Season 12 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/25/1997
The free-flowing design and sculpture of a man influenced by Asian sensibilities.
#23 - Man Ray: Prophet of the Avant-Garde
Season 12 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/9/1997
Biography of a multi-media artist and his ground-breaking works of artistic expression.
#24 - Nichols and May: Take Two
Season 11 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/22/1996
A chronicle of the 1950s comedy team and the short-lived but memorable career of the duo.
#25 - Buckminster Fuller: Thinking Out Loud
Season 11 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/10/1996
An examination of the visionary and thinker and his most famous ideas.