American Masters is celebrating its 30th anniversary season on PBS with the following lineup:
COMING SOON
American Masters — Eero Saarinen: The Architect Who Saw the Future
Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 9/8c. Explore the life and visionary work of Finnish-American modernist architectural giant Eero Saarinen (1910-1961) in the series’ Season 30 finale. Best known for designing National Historic Landmarks such as St. Louis’ iconic Gateway Arch and the General Motors Technical Center (Warren, Mich.), Saarinen also designed New York’s TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Yale University’s Ingalls Rink and Morse and Ezra Stiles Colleges, Virginia’s Dulles Airport, and modernist pedestal furniture like the Tulip chair.
American Masters — By Sidney Lumet
January 2017. Film legend Sidney Lumet (1924-2011) tells his own story in a never-before-seen interview shot in 2008. With candor, humor and grace, Lumet reveals what matters to him as an artist and as a human being. The documentary features clips from Lumet’s films – 44 films made in 50 years – including Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, 12 Angry Men, Network and Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.
American Masters — Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise
Winter 2017. The remarkable story of Maya Angelou — iconic writer, poet, actress and activist whose life has intersected some of the most profound moments in recent American history.
PREVIOUS BROADCASTS
Mike Nichols: American Masters
Season 30 premiere: Friday, January 29 at 9 p.m. Meet one of America’s late, great directors Mike Nichols (The Graduate, Angels in America), who discusses his life and 50-year artistic career, from the comedy duo Nichols and May to his final film, Charlie Wilson’s War. The documentary includes new interviews with Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and more. Directed by Elaine May. Produced by Julian Schlossberg. Learn more about the film.
American Masters — B.B. King: The Life of Riley
B.B. King performs on stage at the Royal Albert Hall. Photo: Kevin Nixon
Friday, February 12 at 9 p.m. in honor of Black History Month. Explore B.B. King’s challenging life and career through candid interviews with the “King of the Blues” filmed shortly before his death and fellow music stars, including Bono, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and Ringo Starr, and more.
American Masters — Carole King: Natural Woman
Carole King. Photo: Joseph Sinnott / ©2015 THIRTEEN PRODUCTIONS LLC. All rights reserved.
Friday, February 19 at 9 p.m. Delve into the hit singer-songwriter’s life and career from 1960s New York to the music mecca of 70s LA to the present. Carole King joins collaborators and family in new interviews, while rare home movies, performances and photos complete the tapestry. The year 2016 marks the 45th anniversary of King’s landmark, four-time Grammy-winning album Tapestry, which was released February 10, 1971. Learn more about Carole King.
American Masters — Fats Domino and the Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll
Friday, February 26 at 10 p.m. in honor of Black History Month and Fats Domino’s birthday. Discover how Fats Domino’s brand of New Orleans rhythm and blues became rock ‘n’ roll. As popular in the 1950s as Elvis Presley, Domino suffered degradations in the pre-Civil Rights South and aided integration through his influential music.
American Masters — Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl
Loretta Lynn. Photo: David McClister
Friday, March 4 at 9 p.m. in honor of Women’s History Month. Explore the country legend’s hard-fought road to stardom. From her Appalachian roots to the Oscar-winning biopic of her life, Coal Miner’s Daughter, Loretta Lynn struggled to balance family and her music career and is still going strong after more than 50 years. The documentary premieres the same day Lynn’s first new studio album in over 10 years, Full Circle (Legacy Recordings), is released.
American Masters — Janis: Little Girl Blue
Janis Joplin. Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Tuesday, May 3 at 8/7c. Observe Janis Joplin’s life through intimate letters and rare footage in the first in-depth celebration of the iconic rock singer. Oscar-nominated director Amy Berg (Deliver Us From Evil, West of Memphis) presents a portrait of a complicated, driven, often beleaguered artist. Chan Marshall (also known as Cat Power) narrates. Oscar-winner Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side, Going Clear) is one of the film’s producers. Note: 2016 marks the 45th anniversary of Joplin’s final studio album Pearl, which was released January 11, 1971.
American Masters — The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End
The Highwaymen (l to r): Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings
Friday, May 27 at 9/8c. Discover the story behind the pioneering outlaw country music supergroup that featured Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson, told through vintage performances and new interviews about life on the road and in the studio.
American Masters — Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You
Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 9/8c. How did a poor Jewish kid from Connecticut bring us Archie Bunker and become one of the most successful television producers ever? Norman Lear brought provocative subjects like war, poverty, and prejudice into 120 million homes every week. Norman Lear proved that social change was possible through an unlikely prism: laughter.