Episodes
-
Groucho & Cavett
S36 E8 - 1h 21m
Discover the enduring friendship between television personality Dick Cavett and his mentor iconic comedian Groucho Marx. Their relationship is chronicled through interviews with Cavett, archival footage and interviews with George Burns and others.
-
The Adventures of Saul Bellow
S36 E7 - 1h 22m
Explore Nobel Prize winner Saul Bellow's impact on American literature and how he navigated through issues of his time, including race, gender and the Jewish immigrant experience. Featuring interviews with Philip Roth, Salman Rushdie and others.
-
Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On
S36 E6 - 1h 29m
Experience the story of the Oscar-winning Indigenous artist from her rise to prominence in New York’s Greenwich Village folk music scene through her six-decade groundbreaking career as a singer-songwriter, social activist, educator and artist.
-
Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road
S36 E5 - 1h 23m
Explore the life and career of the singer, songwriter and co-founder of The Beach Boys. The film traces the legendary performer’s journey of reflection on a drive through Los Angeles with his longtime friend and Rolling Stone editor Jason Fine. It includes interviews with Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Nick Jonas, Linda Perry, Jim James, Gustavo Dudamel and Al Jardine.
-
Waterman – Duke: Ambassador of Aloha
S36 E3 - 1h 23m
Narrated by Jason Momoa, discover the inspiring story and considerable impact of five-time Olympic medalist Duke Kahanamoku. He shattered swimming records and globalized surfing while overcoming racism in a lifetime of personal challenges.
-
Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands
S36 E2 - 1h 53m
Discover an international singer who captivated royalty in Europe and defied the conscience of 1939 America. Watch rare archival footage and hear audio recordings exploring her life and career from the Metropolitan Opera to the State Department.
-
Ailey
S36 E1 - 1h 23m
Discover the legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey whose dances center on the Black American experience with grace, strength and beauty. Featuring previously unheard audio interviews with Ailey, interviews with those close to him and an intimate glimpse into the Ailey studios today.
Extras + Features
-
Marian Anderson overcame discrimination with Danbury farm
S36 E2 - 1m 34s
Anderson bought her beloved farm in Danbury, CT, with her husband, Orpheus Fisher. Despite her reverence and Fisher being able to pass as white, the couple still encountered racism while attempting to buy the farm. The couple persevered and expanded their purchase to 100 acres of land they later dubbed Marianna Farms.
-
Ailey dancers reflect on company's scrappy beginnings
S36 E1 - 1m 51s
In this outtake from "Ailey," former Ailey dancers recall how Alvin Ailey worked hard to raise money for the company. There was a "burden that was on him to keep us all working and to make sure that [his] dancers [felt] cared for and loved," recalls Judith Jamison, Ailey dancer (1965-1979) and Artistic Director (1989-2011).
-
Rennie Harris on the power of the choreographer
S36 E1 - 57s
Rennie Harris, PureMovement choreographer, describes how choreographers are responsible for their dancers. "Mr. Ailey, he used to train moving through spaces and shifting geographies and people and we needed that bullet train."
-
Choreographer Rennie Harris on channeling Ailey
S36 E1 - 1m 51s
Rennie Harris was tapped by Robert Battle, Ailey Artistic Director, to choreograph a piece about Ailey for the 60th anniversary of the company. To prepare, the two reviewed archival footage of Ailey discussing his process. "I just sit there and watch to find out what made Mr. Ailey, Mr. Ailey," said Harris.
-
Alvin Ailey on Chauncey Green, the friend who saved his life
S36 E1 - 2m 56s
Ailey describes his "blood memories" and growing up during the Great Depression in Texas, where he met a friend who had a lasting impact on his life. "Chauncey saved my life. ... Chauncey Green, I shall never forget him."
-
Bill T. Jones remembers the first time he met Alvin Ailey
S36 E1 - 2m 11s
In this outtake from "Ailey," Bill T. Jones, guest choreographer of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recalls telling Alvin Ailey that he did not want to be considered a "Black choreographer," and Ailey reacting with compassion. "Now I can say it with confidence, but I was lonely," said Jones. "I was lonely for colleagues who were people of color."
-
Ailey
S36 E1 - 1m 1s
Discover the legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey whose dances center on the Black American experience with grace, strength and beauty. Featuring previously unheard audio interviews with Ailey, interviews with those close to him and an intimate glimpse into the Ailey studios today.
-
Ailey's "Revelations" draws on African American spirituals
S36 E1 - 2m 24s
Ailey described "Revelations" as "an evening-long saga about the Black experience," and the performance had a huge impact on Black dancers when it premiered in 1960. "I was moved to tears seeing 'Revelations,'" said Mary Barnett, Ailey's rehearsal director from 1975 to 1979.
Schedule
-
Image
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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. -
Image
American Masters
Tyrus Wong
Saturday
May 4
1 Hour 30 Minutes
The art, life and impact of Chinese-American painter Tyrus Wong as seen through new and never-before-seen interviews, movie clips and art. -
Image
American Masters
Tyrus Wong
Sunday
May 5
1 Hour 30 Minutes
The art, life and impact of Chinese-American painter Tyrus Wong as seen through new and never-before-seen interviews, movie clips and art. -
Image
American Masters
Tyrus Wong
Sunday
May 5
1 Hour 30 Minutes
The art, life and impact of Chinese-American painter Tyrus Wong as seen through new and never-before-seen interviews, movie clips and art. -
Image
American Masters
Tyrus Wong
Sunday
May 5
1 Hour 30 Minutes
The art, life and impact of Chinese-American painter Tyrus Wong as seen through new and never-before-seen interviews, movie clips and art. -
Image
American Masters
Tyrus Wong
Monday
May 6
1 Hour 30 Minutes
The art, life and impact of Chinese-American painter Tyrus Wong as seen through new and never-before-seen interviews, movie clips and art.
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 Bomb
History
Escape from a Nazi Death Camp
History
Queen of Swing
History
The Real McCoy
History
Hemingway
History
Abandoned in the Arctic
History
Dante: Inferno to Paradise
History