Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future [ASL + OC]
This version contains on-screen ASL interpretation and open captions. An African American composer and pianist known as one of the greatest musicians of the 19th century, Thomas Wiggins (1849-1908) was blind from birth and likely autistic. Although born into slavery, Wiggins was the first African American to perform at the White House, and toured throughout the U.S., South America, and Europe.
Episodes
-
Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around
S38 E6 - 52m 55s
Discover the story behind singer Brenda Lee’s iconic songs and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her artistry across pop, rock ‘n’ roll and country. Known for her Christmas classic and Billboard hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” she is still a force in music today. The film features interviews with Keith Urban, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and many others.
-
Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined
S38 E5 - 1h 23m
Explore the story of Dominican-American poet and novelist Julia Alvarez, who burst onto the literary scene and blazed a trail for a generation of Latino authors.
-
Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames
S38 E4 - 1h 23m
Explore the story of director, screenwriter and producer Blake Edwards, known for cinema classics such as “Breakfast at Tiffany's,” “Days of Wine and Roses” and the “Pink Panther” series.
-
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
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
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
-
The Incomparable Mr. Buckley
S38 E3 - 2m 31s
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.
-
Daniel Patrick Moynihan on going "beyond the melting pot"
S38 E2 - 2m 40s
In 1963, Daniel Patrick Moynihan and sociologist Nathan Glazer published their book, "Beyond the Melting Pot," which transformed how ethnicity was viewed in America, from a homogenized country to one of jostling ethnic groups.
-
Moynihan
S38 E2 - 2m 49s
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.
-
Moynihan on working with Nixon across party lines
S38 E2 - 2m 23s
Against the advice of his family and friends, Daniel Patrick Moynihan took a job with the Nixon administration as Richard Nixon's domestic advisor. Although Moynihan didn't necessarily agree with all of Nixon's politics, he felt a duty to serve the American public. His impact as domestic advisor was wide-ranging, including creating the Council on Urban Affairs.
-
Explaining the "Moynihan Report"
S38 E2 - 6m 3s
In 1965, Daniel Patrick Moynihan released his report on the Black family, titled "The Negro Family: The Case for National Action." Through structural and cultural analysis, the "Moynihan Report," as it was known colloquially, detailed "the deterioration of the fabric of Negro society is the deterioration of the Negro family." The report caused controversy upon its release.
-
Moynihan (EAD + ASL + OC Trailer)
S38 E2 - 5m 45s
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. This version contains extended audio description, open captions and ASL interpretation.
-
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Schedule
-
Image
American Masters
Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around
Tuesday
Dec 10
1 Hour 30 Minutes
How Brenda Lee's early fame and life of poverty shaped her music, including the classic "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." -
Image
American Masters
Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around
Friday
Dec 13
1 Hour 30 Minutes
How Brenda Lee's early fame and life of poverty shaped her music, including the classic "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." -
Image
American Masters
Keith Haring: Street Art Boy
Friday
Dec 13
1 Hour
Artist Keith Haring blazes a trail through the art scene of 1980s New York and revolutionizes pop culture. -
Image
American Masters
Keith Haring: Street Art Boy
Saturday
Dec 14
1 Hour
Artist Keith Haring blazes a trail through the art scene of 1980s New York and revolutionizes pop culture. -
Image
American Masters
Keith Haring: Street Art Boy
Monday
Dec 16
1 Hour
Artist Keith Haring blazes a trail through the art scene of 1980s New York and revolutionizes pop culture. -
Image
American Masters
Keith Haring: Street Art Boy
Monday
Dec 16
1 Hour
Artist Keith Haring blazes a trail through the art scene of 1980s New York and revolutionizes pop culture. -
Image
American Masters
Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around
Monday
Dec 16
1 Hour 30 Minutes
How Brenda Lee's early fame and life of poverty shaped her music, including the classic "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." -
Image
American Masters
Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around
Tuesday
Dec 17
1 Hour
How Brenda Lee's early fame and life of poverty shaped her music, including the classic "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." -
Image
American Masters
Tuesday
Dec 17
2 Hours
Since its premiere in 1986, this Emmy-winning documentary series has presented hundreds of hours comprising profiles of outstanding American cultural artists. Past subjects have included Charlie Chaplin, Helen Hayes, pop icon Andy Warhol, singer Billie Holliday and composer-conductor Leonard Bernstein. -
Image
American Masters
Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames
Wednesday
Dec 18
1 Hour 30 Minutes
Director Blake Edwards' work spans four decades and has redefined slapstick comedy through a lens that continues to resonate with directors and actors. -
Image
American Masters
Groucho & Cavett
Wednesday
Dec 18
1 Hour 30 Minutes
The friendship between Emmy Award-winning television personality Dick Cavett and comic Groucho Marx, featuring footage of Marx's visits to "The Dick Cavett Show" and other rare recordings. -
Image
American Masters
Roberta Flack
Thursday
Dec 19
1 Hour 30 Minutes
The life and career of Grammy Award-winning singer Roberta Flack, including her commitment to civil rights. -
Image
American Masters
Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes
Thursday
Dec 19
1 Hour 30 Minutes
Bebop pioneer and virtuoso composer Max Roach's far-reaching ambitions were inspired and challenged by the inequities of the society around him.
WETA Passport
Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.
Similar Shows
The Civil War
History
Graceful Voices
History
Central Park Five
History
The West
History
Inside High Noon
History
Rise of the Nazis
History
Slavery by Another Name
History