American Masters

History Series / 11 Seasons

American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

1h 51m / TV-14

John Muir in the New World

2m 53s

This documentary delves into John Muir's life with reenactments throughout the majestic landscapes he visited: Wisconsin, Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada, the Alhambra Valley of California, and the glaciers of Alaska. This Scottish American is remembered as the father of the environmental movement. John Muir in the New World airs nationally Monday, April 18 at 9 p.m. (check local listings).

John Muir Outtakes: The Alaskan Expedition

4m 8s / TV-G

Hear stories from one of John Muir's expeditions in Alaska with his colleage and companion S. Hall Young, including a tale of Muir's rescue of Young during a very near brush with death in these outtakes from the documentary John Muir in the New World. John Muir in the New World airs April 18 at 9 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings).

Interview with John Muir Filmmaker Catherine Tatge

5m 43s

Catherine Tatge, the Director/Producer/Writer of American Masters John Muir in the New World, discusses how she uses reenactments to provide the visual elements needed to communicate the power of Muir's story, how she cast the part of Muir, and why Muir is an American Master. John Muir in the New World airs nationally Monday, April 18, 2011 at 9 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings).

Linda Ronstadt and Women in Country Rock

1m 13s

Musicians Bonnie Raitt, J.D. Souther, Jackson Browne, and Chris Darrow discuss the distinct sensibilities of women in country music and recognize Linda Ronstadt as a pioneer in the genre. This scene is an outtake from Troubadours: Carole King / James Taylor & The Rise of the Singer-Songwriter airing nationally Wednesday, March 2 at 8 p.m. (check local listings).

Steve Martin on the Trains of Santa Monica

1m 3s

Steve Martin discusses the trains that used to run down Santa Monica Boulevard and how he worked them into his act in this outtake from Troubadours: Carole King / James Taylor & The Rise of the Singer-Songwriter, airing nationally Wednesday, March 2 at 8 p.m. (check local listings).

Kris Kristofferson and Country Music at the Troubadour

2m 40s

Kris Kristofferson reflects on how the Troubadour launched his career, alongside artists who performed at the legendary club, Carole King, Roger McGuinn of The Byrds, J.D. Souther, Richard "Dickie" Davis, and Barney Hoskyns. This scene is an outtake from Troubadours: Carole King / James Taylor & The Rise of the Singer-Songwriter airing Wednesday, March 2 at 8 p.m. (check local listings).

Interview with filmmaker Morgan Neville

3m 13s

Morgan Neville describes the making of the documentary Troubadours: Carole King / James Taylor & The Rise of the Singer-Songwriter, a riveting chronicle of the time, weaving archival footage, rare performances, and interviews from a veritable who's who. roubadours: Carole King / James Taylor & The Rise of the Singer-Songwriter airs Wednesday, March 2 at 8 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings).

Life at the Troubadour

7m

In these deleted scenes from Troubadours, Roger McGuinn, former Troubadour staff, photographer Harry Diltz, Cheech & Chong, and Bonnie Raitt tell stories about the incredible energy and community that centered around the nightly performances and daily club life, including the time Joni Mitchell surprised Bonnie Raitt backstage and anecdotes of David Crosby's legendary pot smoking habit.

Jeff Bridges Answers a Question From Facebook

41s

Jeff Bridges is the subject of an American Masters documentary (airing on PBS 1/12). In connection with that broadcast, we asked PBS's Facebook fans what *they* would want to ask him. Here is his answer to one of the most interesting questions we received.

Interview: Jeff Bridges "The Dude Abides"

2m 15s

How much of "The Dude" is still in Jeff Bridges? In this interview, he talks about the surprising reasons why he agreed to be the subject of an "American Masters" documentary. "Jeff Bridges: The Dude Abides" airs Wednesday, January 12, at 8 p.m.

Preview Excerpt from "Jeff Bridges: The Dude Abides"

3m 15s

In this clip from "Jeff Bridges: The Dude Abides" airing nationally Wednesday, January 12 at 8 p.m. (check local listings), Bridges visits the shop in New York's Greenwich Village called The Little Lebowski dedicated to collector items dedicated to The Big Lebowski and explains how he first got involved acting for the Coen Brothers.

Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould Preview

34s / TV-PG

A profoundly enigmatic musical poet, there have been many documentaries about Glenn Gould, but they were typically sidetracked, focusing on the pills and fashions - missing the man, the magic and the message of music. American Masters pierces through the misconceptions in Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould airing nationally, Monday, December 27 at 9pm on PBS (check local listings).

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