Season 28

February 7, 2014

A profile of writer Alice Walker, the first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (for her 1982 novel "The Color Purple"). Included: remarks from Walker; Danny Glover; Quincy Jones; Sapphire; Steven Spielberg; and Howard Zinn. Filmmaker Pratibha Parmar’s new documentary tells Walker’s dramatic life story with poetry and lyricism, and features new interviews with Walker, Steven Spielberg, Danny Glover, Quincy Jones, Gloria Steinem, Sapphire and the late Howard Zinn in one of his final interviews.

April 22, 2014

An exploration of the environmental movement from the 1960s through 2009. Included: the battle in the 1960s to block dams from the Grand Canyon; the Love Canal scandal of the 1970s; Greenpeace's efforts to save whales and baby harp seals; the global resource crises of the 1980s; and the 25-year effort to address climate change. Narrators include Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Ashley Judd, Van Jones and Isabel Allende.

May 16, 2014

Profiling George Plimpton (1927-2003), whose exploits in participatory journalism led to such fun reads as "Paper Lion" (about how he tried out for the Detroit Lions) and "Out of My League" (about his stint pitching to baseball all-stars). He also edited the literary journal Paris Review; hung out with U.S. presidents; and served as the Big Apple's (unofficial) fireworks commissioner. The documentary includes archival footage; and remarks from such notables as Robert Kennedy Jr. and Hugh Hefner.

June 20, 2014

Tanaquil Le Clercq (1929–2000) was a star ballerina with the New York City Ballet who greatly influenced choreographers George Balanchine (her husband) and Jerome Robbins (her friend). Filmmaker Nancy Buirski spotlights Le Clercq’s ballet career, influence on dance, and her struggle with polio, which paralyzed her at the height of her fame.

August 29, 2014

A profile of photographer Dorothea Lange (1895-1965), who captured iconic images of the Great Depression, Dust Bowl and WWII Japanese-American internment camps, by her granddaughter (and acclaimed cinematographer) Dyanna Taylor. The personal documentary incorporates family memories, journals, photos and film footage; interviews and vérité sequences of Lange at her Bay Area home studio, circa 1962-1965; and insights from family, friends and colleagues.

September 23, 2014

American Masters – Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work takes the audience on a year-long ride with Joan Rivers in her 76th year of life; it peels away the mask of an iconic comedian, laying bare both the struggle and thrill of living life as a groundbreaking female performer. The film by Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg premieres September 23, 2014 at 10:30 pm on PBS (check local listings).

September 23, 2014

From the time of its birth, the baby boomer generation (1946-1964) has significantly and uniquely changed our world. 2014 marks an important shift in American culture, as the last boomers turn 50. American Masters: The Boomer List, tells the story of this influential generation through the lives of 19 iconic boomers—one born each year of the baby boom:

December 2, 2014

Bing Crosby (1903-77) is remembered via home movies, Dictabelt recordings, photos and insights from wife Kathryn, daughter Mary and sons Harry and Nathaniel. He scored nearly 400 hit singles, including the classic "White Christmas"; and appeared in such popular films as "White Christmas" and "Going My Way." The profile details the allegations of abuse leveled against him by son Gary (1933-95); and explains how his beloved duet with David Bowie on "Little Drummer Boy-Peace on Earth" came about.