David Grubin
Director
American Experience (1988)
Season 33
TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.
Released Oct. 4, 1988
Episode 74 min
12+
Genres: Biography, Documentary, History
Keywords: tmdb.biography, tmdb.usa-history, tmdb.current-affairs, imdb.media-coverage, imdb.americana, imdb.american-history, imdb.history-documentary + 9 more, imdb.social-documentary, imdb.reenactment, imdb.public-media, imdb.anthology, mdblist.ext.2k-blu-ray, mdblist.has-trailer, awards.oscar-nominated, awards.emmy-award-winner, awards.emmy-award-nominated
Watch Providers: PBS, PBS, PBS Documentaries Amazon Channel, YouTube TV
Production Companies: WGBH Boston
Network: PBS
Country: United States
Languages:
English
8.0
S33E1 - The Codebreaker
Based on the book The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America's Enemies, The Codebreaker reveals the fascinating story of Elizebeth Smith Friedman, the groundbreaking cryptanalyst whose painstaking work to decode thousands of messages for the U.S. government.
Jan. 11, 2021, midnight
S33E2 - Voice of Freedom
Explore the fascinating life of celebrated singer Marian Anderson. In 1939, after being barred from performing at Constitution Hall because she was Black, she triumphed at the Lincoln Memorial in what became a landmark moment in American history.
Feb. 15, 2021, midnight
S33E3 - The Blinding of Isaac Woodard
In 1946, Isaac Woodard, a Black army sergeant on his way home to South Carolina after serving in WWII, was pulled from a bus for arguing with the driver. The local chief of police savagely beat him, leaving him unconscious and permanently blind.
March 30, 2021, midnight
S33E4 - American Oz
The life of author L. Frank Baum, creator of the classic novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," which has inspired films, books and musicals.
April 19, 2021, midnight
S33E5 - Billy Graham
Explore the life of one of the best-known and most influential religious leaders of the 20th century. An international celebrity by age 30, he built a media empire, preached to millions worldwide, and had the ear of tycoons, presidents and royalty.
May 17, 2021, midnight
S33E6 - Sandra Day O'Connor: The First
Discover the story of the Supreme Court’s first female justice. A pioneer who both reflected and shaped an era, she was the deciding vote in cases on some of the 20th century’s most controversial issues—including race, gender and reproductive rights.
Sept. 13, 2021, midnight
S33E7 - Citizen Hearst (1)
William Randolph Hearst builds the nation’s largest media empire by the 1930s. Born into one of America’s wealthiest families, he used his outlets to achieve unprecedented political power, then ran for office himself.
Sept. 27, 2021, midnight
S33E8 - Citizen Hearst (2)
William Randolph Hearst continued his rise to power and expansion into Hollywood. The model for Citizen Kane, he had a decades-long affair with actress Marion Davies, built an enormous castle at San Simeon, and forever transformed modern media.
Sept. 28, 2021, midnight
Network: PBS
Episode Runtime: 74 min.
Season Runtime: 518 min.
Released: Oct. 4, 1988
Last Air Date: Oct. 28, 2025, midnight
Next Air Date: Jan. 6, 2026, midnight
Status: Returning Series
Certification: TV-PG
Common sense age: 12+
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