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American Masters

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

Susie Essman on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and the unique "genius” of Larry David

8m 45s

On March 12, 2008, comedian and actress Susie Essman spoke about her longtime collaboration with Larry David on "Curb Your Enthusiasm." She discusses the unique viewpoint of the show and how improvisation is at its core. Interview conducted by director Michael Kantor for the six-hour PBS comedy series, "Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America" (2009).

Episodes

  • The Incomparable Mr. Buckley: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Incomparable Mr. Buckley

    S38 E3 - 1h 40m

    Discover the intellectual evolution and political legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr. See how the author and commentator, one of the foremost public intellectuals in American history, galvanized the modern conservative movement.

  • Moynihan: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Moynihan

    S38 E2 - 1h 43m

    Discover the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator and diplomat Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Going beyond the “Moynihan Report,” President Joe Biden, Ta-Nehisi Coates and others reflect on his decades-long fight to end national poverty.

  • HOPPER: An American love story: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    HOPPER: An American love story

    S38 E1 - 53m 3s

    Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works. Known for “Nighthawks” and other evocative paintings of American life, Hopper has left a lasting impression on our culture. Meet the man behind the brush, and see how his marriage to fellow artist Josephine Nivison Hopper shaped his art and career.

Extras + Features

  • Edward Hopper's simple lifestyle with wife Jo: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Edward Hopper's simple lifestyle with wife Jo

    S38 E1 - 1m 55s

    Edward and Jo Hopper lived an extremely frugal life, with just a hot plate to cook on and their living room used as an art studio. Hopper had a reputation for being gruff and unfriendly, while Jo loved to have drinks and chats with friends.

  • Rare interview footage of Edward Hopper on his process: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rare interview footage of Edward Hopper on his process

    S38 E1 - 29m 7s

    In this rare archival footage from 1964, Edward Hopper joins host and art critic Brian O'Doherty at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston for a conversation about Hopper's process and inspirations, and his belief that "the important element in the picture cannot be defined."

  • HOPPER: An American love story: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    HOPPER: An American love story

    S38 E1 - 1m 2s

    Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works. Known for “Nighthawks” and other evocative paintings of American life, Hopper has left a lasting impression on our culture. Meet the man behind the brush, and see how his marriage to fellow artist Josephine Nivison Hopper shaped his art and career.

  • Edward Hopper's work showed a narrow view of New York: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Edward Hopper's work showed a narrow view of New York

    S38 E1 - 2m 39s

    Edward Hopper painted what he wanted to paint, showing no interest in the growing diversity of America or the social movements happening in New York City.

    "It's just almost comical for me to imagine Hopper, still in his button-down at his easel, when you have this great Bohemian culture happening right outside the window," says curator Kim Conaty. "And it's not really reflected in the work."

  • Edward Hopper's childhood in Nyack, New York: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Edward Hopper's childhood in Nyack, New York

    S38 E1 - 2m 3s

    Edward Hopper was raised in Nyack, New York, where his creativity was fostered by his supportive parents and his childhood home influenced his interpretation of light and space in his paintings.

  • Edward Hopper's career soared as wife Jo Nivison's faltered: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Edward Hopper's career soared as wife Jo Nivison's faltered

    S38 E1 - 2m 31s

    When Edward Hopper first met fellow painter and future spouse Josephine Nivison in 1923, he had not sold a painting in 10 years. Jo, on the other hand, was at her most productive, both showing and selling her artwork. When Jo recommended Hopper's paintings to gallerists, his career began to soar while hers faltered.

  • A closer look at Edward Hopper's "Automat" and "Chop Suey": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A closer look at Edward Hopper's "Automat" and "Chop Suey"

    S38 E1 - 1m 59s

    Edward Hopper displayed a preference for quieter social commentary with his art. In "Automat," he paints a woman alone in an empty automat, conveying a sense of loneliness and isolation. In "Chop Suey," two women are depicted at lunch without male chaperones, reflecting the newfound independence many women were experiencing at the time.

  • HOPPER: An American love story (EAD + ASL + OC Trailer): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    HOPPER: An American love story (EAD + ASL + OC Trailer)

    S38 E1 - 2m 10s

    Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works. Known for “Nighthawks” and other evocative paintings of American life, Hopper has left a lasting impression on our culture. Meet the man behind the brush, and see how his marriage to fellow artist Josephine Nivison Hopper shaped his art and career. This version contains extended audio description and ASL interpretation.

Schedule

  • Image
    American Masters: Jerry Brown: The Disrupter: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Masters

    Jerry Brown: The Disrupter

    Thursday
    Apr 25

    2 Hours

    The political and personal journey of California Gov. Jerry Brown, the longest serving governor in California history, and his work on issues including climate change and inequality.
  • Image
    American Masters: Jerry Brown: The Disrupter: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Masters

    Jerry Brown: The Disrupter

    Friday
    Apr 26

    2 Hours

    The political and personal journey of California Gov. Jerry Brown, the longest serving governor in California history, and his work on issues including climate change and inequality.
  • Image
    American Masters: Jerry Brown: The Disrupter: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Masters

    Jerry Brown: The Disrupter

    Friday
    Apr 26

    2 Hours

    The political and personal journey of California Gov. Jerry Brown, the longest serving governor in California history, and his work on issues including climate change and inequality.
  • Image
    American Masters: Jerry Brown: The Disrupter: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Masters

    Jerry Brown: The Disrupter

    Saturday
    Apr 27

    2 Hours

    The political and personal journey of California Gov. Jerry Brown, the longest serving governor in California history, and his work on issues including climate change and inequality.
  • Image
    American Masters: TVSS: Iconic

    American Masters

    Ailey

    Saturday
    Apr 27

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    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.
  • Image
    American Masters: TVSS: Iconic

    American Masters

    Ailey

    Sunday
    Apr 28

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    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.
  • Image
    American Masters: Jerry Brown: The Disrupter: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Masters

    Jerry Brown: The Disrupter

    Sunday
    Apr 28

    2 Hours

    The political and personal journey of California Gov. Jerry Brown, the longest serving governor in California history, and his work on issues including climate change and inequality.
  • Image
    American Masters: Jerry Brown: The Disrupter: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Masters

    Jerry Brown: The Disrupter

    Sunday
    Apr 28

    2 Hours

    The political and personal journey of California Gov. Jerry Brown, the longest serving governor in California history, and his work on issues including climate change and inequality.
  • Image
    American Masters: Jerry Brown: The Disrupter: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Masters

    Jerry Brown: The Disrupter

    Monday
    Apr 29

    2 Hours

    The political and personal journey of California Gov. Jerry Brown, the longest serving governor in California history, and his work on issues including climate change and inequality.

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