Seasons & episodes
S34 · E6Michael Tilson Thomas: Where Now Is 2020-10-23 · 90 min
Explore the life and career of the Grammy-winning conductor, pianist and composer. A National Medal of Arts recipient and longtime Grammy-winning music director of the San Francisco Symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas helped set the standard that an American orchestra should champion modern music.
S34 · E7Keith Haring: Street Art Boy 2020-12-04 · 90 min
Explore the definitive story of international art sensation Keith Haring who blazed a trail through the art scene of ‘80s New York and revolutionized the worlds of pop culture and fine art. The film features previously unheard interviews with Haring.
S34 · E8Laura Ingalls Wilder: Prairie to Page 2020-12-29 · 90 min
An unvarnished look at the unlikely author whose autobiographical fiction helped shape American ideas of the frontier and self-reliance. A Midwestern farm woman who published her first novel at age 65, Laura Ingalls Wilder transformed her frontier childhood into the best-selling “Little House” series.
S35 · E1How It Feels To Be Free 2021-01-18 · 90 min
A documentary that tells the inspiring story of how six iconic African American women entertainers – Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier – challenged an entertainment industry deeply complicit in perpetuating racist stereotypes, and transformed themselves and their audiences in the process.
S35 · E2Flannery 2021-03-23 · 90 min
Explore the life of Flannery O’Connor whose provocative fiction was unlike anything published before. Featuring never-before-seen archival footage, newly discovered journals and interviews with Mary Karr, Tommy Lee Jones, Hilton Als and more.
S35 · E3Twyla Moves 2021-03-26 · 90 min
Explore legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp’s career and famously rigorous creative process, with original interviews, first-hand glimpses of her at work and rare archival footage of select performances from her more than 160 choreographed works.
S35 · E4Never Too Late: The Doc Severinsen Story 2021-04-02 · 90 min
The life and career of jazz trumpeter Doc Severinsen, leader of the band for "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," who continued a schedule of touring and performing into his 90s.
S35 · E5Oliver Sacks: His Own Life 2021-04-09 · 90 min
The life and work of neurologist and storyteller Oliver Sacks, including personal details about his battles with drug addiction and homophobia.
S35 · E6Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir 2021-05-03 · 90 min
The life and career of author Amy Tan, with archival imagery, home movies, photographs, animation and original interviews.
S35 · E7Ballerina Boys 2021-06-04 · 90 min
The story of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, a company of men who dance on pointe as ballerinas.
S35 · E8Buddy Guy: The Blues Chase the Blues Away 2021-07-27 · 83 min
Dive into the career of the legendary blues guitarist, a pioneer of Chicago’s West Side sound and major influence on rock titans like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. Featuring new performances and interviews with Carlos Santana and more.
S35 · E9Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It 2021-10-05 · 88 min
Discover how Moreno defied her humble upbringing and racism to become one of a select group of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winners. Explore her 70-year career with new interviews, clips of her iconic roles and scenes of the star on set today.
S35 · E10Becoming Helen Keller 2021-10-19 · 88 min
Revisit the complex life and legacy of the author, advocate and human rights pioneer. Helen Keller, who was deaf and blind, used her celebrity and wit to champion rights for women, people with disabilities and people living in poverty.
S36 · E1Ailey 2022-01-11 · 84 min
The life and career of choreographer Alvin Ailey, whose dances focus on the Black experience, interviews with those close to him and a glimpse into his dance studios.
S36 · E2Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands 2022-02-08 · 113 min
Exploring the life and legacy of singer Marian Anderson and her work as an advocate for the civil rights advocate.
S36 · E3Waterman – Duke: Ambassador of Aloha 2022-05-10 · 84 min
The journey and legacy of five-time Olympic medalist Duke Kahanamoku, who broke swimming records and popularized modern-day surfing while overcoming racism.
S36 · E4Joe Papp in Five Acts 2022-06-03
No episode summary available yet.
S36 · E5Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road 2022-06-14 · 84 min
Follow musician, singer, songwriter, record producer and co-founder of The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson on a drive through Los Angeles with his longtime friend and Rolling Stone editor Jason Fine. With Fine behind the wheel and Wilson selecting the music, they reflect on the formative and creative periods in Wilson’s life as they revisit the places that helped to shape his career.
S36 · E6Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On 2022-11-22 · 90 min
Experience the story of the Oscar-winning Indigenous artist from her rise to prominence in New York’s Greenwich Village folk music scene through her six-decade groundbreaking career as a singer-songwriter, social activist, educator and artist.
S36 · E7The Adventures of Saul Bellow 2022-12-12 · 83 min
Explore Nobel Prize winner Saul Bellow's impact on American literature and how he navigated through issues of his time, including race, gender and the Jewish immigrant experience. Featuring interviews with Philip Roth, Salman Rushdie and others.
S36 · E8Groucho & Cavett 2022-12-27 · 82 min
Discover the enduring friendship between television personality Dick Cavett and his mentor iconic comedian Groucho Marx. Their relationship is chronicled through interviews with Cavett, archival footage and interviews with George Burns and others.
S37 · E1Roberta Flack 2023-01-24 · 90 min
Follow the music icon from a piano lounge through her rise to stardom. From “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” to “Killing Me Softly,” Flack’s virtuosity was inseparable from her commitment to civil rights. Detailing her story in her own words, the film features exclusive access to Flack’s archives and interviews with Rev. Jesse Jackson, Peabo Bryson and more.
S37 · E2Dr. Tony Fauci 2023-03-21
Follow Dr. Anthony Fauci as he grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic and his 50-year career as the nation’s leading public health advocate. American Masters: Dr. Tony Fauci reveals a rarely seen side of the physician, husband and father as he confronts political backlash, a new administration and questions of the future.
S37 · E3In the Making 2023-03-24
Follow two performers as they break down barriers in music. Opera singer J’Nai Bridges takes the stage in “A Knee on the Neck,” a choral tribute to George Floyd. Country artist Rissi Palmer redefines success as she works on her latest album, while uplifting other artists of color in the Americana genres.