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

Phil Rosenthal Discusses Norman Lear's Impact

1m 9s

Largely responsible for the explosion of bold American television in the 1970s, writer/producer Norman Lear’s name is synonymous with the sitcom. The first documentary about the 94-year-old television legend, "American Masters — Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You," premieres nationwide Tuesday, October 25 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You

2m 18s

Largely responsible for the explosion of bold American television in the 1970s, writer/producer Norman Lear’s name is synonymous with the sitcom. The first documentary about the 94-year-old television legend, "American Masters — Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You," premieres nationwide Tuesday, October 25 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Norman Lear - All in The Family Disclaimer

57s

Norman Lear's controversial work led to a disclaimer from CBS. The first documentary about the 94-year-old television legend, "American Masters — Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You," premieres nationwide Tuesday, October 25 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Norman Lear on Legacy

27s

Largely responsible for the explosion of bold American television in the 1970s, writer/producer Norman Lear’s name is synonymous with the sitcom. The first documentary about the 94-year-old television legend, "American Masters — Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You," premieres nationwide Tuesday, October 25 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Gloria Naylor on the American Dream

1m 9s

Best known for "The Women of Brewster Place," Gloria Naylor speaks about the notion of the American Dream through three American classics: Nella Larsen’s "Passing," F. Scott Fitzgerald’s "The Great Gatsby," and John Steinbeck’s "The Grapes of Wrath." This never-before-heard interview is from Michael Epstein's "American Masters – Novel Reflections on the American Dream (2007)."

Norman Lear's Psychiatrist

1m 51s

Largely responsible for the explosion of bold American television in the 1970s, writer/producer Norman Lear’s name is synonymous with the sitcom. The first documentary about the 94-year-old television legend, "American Masters — Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You," premieres nationwide Tuesday, October 25 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Dar Williams on Joan Baez

1m 31s

American folk music icon Joan Baez began her career during the 1960s counterculture movement. Listen as Baez and fellow singer-songwriter Dar Williams share anecdotes about life on the road together and how they’ve influenced each other’s lives and art. This never-before-heard interview is from filmmaker Mary Wharton’s American Masters – Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound (2009).

Norman Lear on Network Censorship

1m 23s

Largely responsible for the explosion of bold American television in the 1970s, writer/producer Norman Lear’s name is synonymous with the sitcom. The first documentary about the 94-year-old television legend, "American Masters — Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You," premieres nationwide Tuesday, October 25 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Norman Lear's "Maude" on Tough Issues

31s

Largely responsible for the explosion of bold American television in the 1970s, writer/producer Norman Lear’s name is synonymous with the sitcom. The first documentary about the 94-year-old television legend, "American Masters — Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You," premieres nationwide Tuesday, October 25 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Nina Bernstein and June Norton on Ella Fitzgerald

47s

Before Ella Fitzgerald became the First Lady of Song and earned 13 Grammy Awards, she spent much of her teenage years as an orphan, finding odd jobs and, at times, living on the street. Journalist Nina Bernstein and Fitzgerald’s longtime friend June Norton discuss one of the singer’s most difficult periods.

Venus Williams on Women in Tennis

1m 14s

In this exclusive clip from the American Masters Digital Archive, Venus Williams reflects on the sacrifices made by trailblazers such as Althea Gibson and Billie Jean King, without whom, the game of women's tennis would not be where it is today.

Patti Smith on the Scene

1m 40s

In this never-before-heard interview from American Masters – Lou Reed: Rock-And-Roll Heart (1998) conducted by filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Patti Smith talks about how we live in a very label-conscious time and hopes one day for a label-free future.

Fran Drescher on Lucille Ball

1m 28s

American film and television comedian, model, actress, and producer Fran Drescher, star of the hit TV sitcom "The Nanny," reflects on how Lucille Ball used the character of Lucy to present a stylish, smart and independent woman who resonated with millions of women across America.

Bernadette Peters Talks about Mel Brooks

2m 43s

Bernadette Peters on meeting Mel Brooks and the impact of his humor: “As far as he would go with jokes, like in Blazing Saddleshe’ll get away with things because they were truly funny.” Peters was interviewed on September 4, 2012 for American Masters – Mel Brooks: Make A Noise (2013).

In Their Own Words Trailer

2m 27s

American Masters is celebrating its 30th anniversary with the launch of In Their Own Words: The American Masters Digital Archive and The American Masters Podcast, featuring previously unreleased interviews filmed for the documentary series: 2,156 tapes, approximately 1,388 digitized hours, 800-plus interviews and counting.

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