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Daniel Dae Kim is calling out what he believes is an “overcorrection” in nationality-specific casting for Asian roles.

During a recent interview with American Masters PBS, the Butterfly actor shared why he believes there needs to be more thought behind casting for Asian and Asian American characters, as Asian actors are often held to more specific standards when it comes to identity compared to others.

“Right now, there’s a focus on nationality-specific casting when it comes to Asian Americans that I feel is an overcorrection,” he said. “Very often, when we’re cast, if the role calls for a Korean American, they will not see a Japanese American or Chinese American or any other Asian nationality.”

However, Kim explained that often “the role itself has not been thought through,” yet they’re already putting up nationality-specific barriers for actors who want to audition.

“It doesn’t require any kind...

I’m Not Your Negro, The Invisible War, Minding the Gap, The Mole Agent, Abacus: Small Enough to Jail: These are just a sampling of the iconic films that Itvs has co-produced with independent filmmakers for decades, more than 900 films over the last 35 years.

But the future of our public-private partnership is at risk with the short-sighted and destructive July 18 vote to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (Cpb) by Congress. Itvs, which is funded by Cpb, will continue to receive federal funding until Sept. 30, 2025 and then nearly $9 million annually will no longer go to independent documentary filmmakers.

It’s perhaps ironic that Itvs was founded in 1989 through a visionary and bipartisan act of Congress that instructed Cpb to fund an independent television service that would serve the American public with innovative and diverse content made by independent producers. Since then, Itvs’ mission — done in partnership with PBS, series like American Masters and Pov,...

With Congress passing a measure to rescind $1.1 billion in previously allocated funds for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, NPR, PBS, and their member stations are bracing for major challenges ahead. This cut effectively eliminates all federal support for public media for the next two years, hitting local stations — especially those in smaller and rural markets — the hardest. Vital programming and educational services that rely heavily on federal dollars are now in jeopardy.

Amid these political and financial headwinds, PBS’ rich history of Emmy-winning programs remains a testament to its unmatched contributions to television. From the beloved Sesame Street to groundbreaking documentary series like Frontline and award-winning dramas such as Downton Abbey, PBS has built a legacy of excellence, earning more than 1,000 Emmys and shaping America’s cultural and educational landscape for decades. Here’s a look at some of PBS’ most celebrated and award-winning programs.

Sesame Street

Sesame Street, the...

There are few careers in music that can compare to Billy Joel's. It's no wonder that for their two-part documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes (now playing on HBO and HBO Max), the co-directors, 14-time Emmy winner Susan Lacy and two-time winner Jessica Levin, went into the project knowing they had their work cut out for them.

"This particular film was a massive undertaking," Levin tells Gold Derby. "And it wasn't light work. It was a massive archive, a massive song catalog, a guy who's been in the public eye for 50 plus years. There was a lot to mine there, and I think our collaboration was really helpful in trying to wrestle the story to the ground and figure out what we wanted to emphasize and where we wanted to go with this story."

The result is an expansive examination of the man and his art — a career that includes six Grammys,...

“Billy Joel: And So It Goes” is a bit like the Piano Man and his songs: not particularly flashy or stylish when you first see it, but brimming with insight, entertainment value, and deep feeling. And like Joel, it carries a little chip on its shoulder. “And So It Goes” spends a lot of its nearly five-hour running time pushing back against the critics who thought Joel was uncool or derivative. And, well, it should.

Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin’s documentary looks at that criticism head-on — there are so many close-ups of snarky Rolling Stone reviews — and builds a case that’s really quite self-evident if you look at Joel’s music as it is rather than what you wish it was: as thematically and melodically complex as that of any pop artist with a bunch of number one hits.

His “me against the world” demeanor is there in...

On Friday July 18 2025, PBS broadcasts American Masters!

Marcella Season 39 Episode 5 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “American Masters,” titled “Marcella,” will explore the life and legacy of renowned chef Marcella Hazan. This episode will air on PBS and promises to take viewers on a journey through the culinary world that Marcella helped shape. Her influence on American cooking is significant, and this episode will highlight how her cookbooks and teaching methods transformed the way people approach Italian cuisine.

Marcella Hazan is often credited with bringing authentic Italian cooking to the American kitchen. The episode will delve into her early life in Italy, her passion for food, and how she became a beloved figure in American culinary circles. Through interviews and archival footage, viewers will learn about her unique approach to cooking and the philosophy that guided her work.

The impact of Marcella’s cookbooks cannot be understated. Millions of home...

Marty just scored his first Emmy nomination for a guest-starring role.

The Oscar-winning director was recognized for his guest spot in The Studio, Apple’s comedy from Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen about a fictitious studio and its bumbling new leader. Goldberg and Rogen specifically wrote a scene for Martin Scorsese in the pilot episode, and “to our absolute shock and bafflement,” he said yes, Goldberg told Deadline.

In the scene, Scorsese pitches Rogen’s Matt Remick a big-budget movie about Jonestown, describing it as being about “Jim Jones, the United States Senate, America. It’s sprawling, it’s big, it’s fun, it’s f*cked up. Granted, it’s f*cked up. But I see it as a meditation on cults, hero worship, mass murder, suicide, everything. It’s life.”

“We never FaceTimed with him. We’d never met him until the day he came to shoot,” Goldberg told Deadline.

On Monday July 14 2025, PBS broadcasts American Masters!

Marcella Season 39 Episode 5 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “American Masters,” titled “Marcella,” will shine a light on the life and legacy of Marcella Hazan, a beloved figure in the world of Italian cooking. This episode will explore how her cookbooks and teaching transformed the way many Americans approach Italian cuisine. Marcella’s dedication to authentic Italian traditions helped bring the flavors of Italy into countless homes across the United States.

Viewers can expect to learn about Marcella’s early life in Italy and how her passion for cooking developed. The episode will delve into her journey as she moved to the U.S. and began sharing her culinary knowledge. Through interviews and archival footage, the program will highlight her unique approach to cooking and how she emphasized the importance of using fresh, quality ingredients.

“Marcella” will also showcase the impact of her influential cookbooks,...

On Friday July 11 2025, PBS broadcasts American Masters!

Marcella Season 39 Episode 5 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode titled “Marcella” of the series “American Masters” on PBS promises to explore the life and legacy of Marcella Hazan, a beloved figure in the culinary world. Known for her dedication to Italian cooking, Marcella’s influence can be seen in kitchens across America. This episode will highlight her journey and the significant impact she had on how people approach Italian cuisine.

Viewers will learn about Marcella’s beginnings and how her passion for cooking blossomed into a remarkable career. Through her cookbooks and teaching, she shared her knowledge of Italian traditions and techniques. Her recipes became staples for many home cooks, making Italian food more accessible and authentic.

The episode will also feature interviews with chefs and food enthusiasts who were inspired by Marcella. They will reflect on how her work changed the way Italian dishes are prepared and appreciated.

The upcoming episode of “American Masters,” titled “Marcella,” promises to be a heartfelt tribute to one of the most influential figures in American cooking. Scheduled to air at 2:00 Am on Friday, July 18, 2025, on PBS, this episode will explore the life and legacy of Marcella Hazan. Known for her cookbooks and teaching, Hazan’s dedication to Italian culinary traditions has left a lasting mark on home kitchens across the United States.

Viewers will get an inside look at how Hazan’s passion for cooking transformed the way many Americans approach Italian cuisine. Through her simple yet profound recipes, she introduced countless families to the joys of authentic Italian cooking. The episode will highlight her commitment to using fresh ingredients and traditional methods, which resonated with both novice cooks and seasoned chefs alike.

In addition to showcasing her recipes, “Marcella” will delve into her personal story, revealing the challenges and triumphs she faced throughout her life.

Some of the most respected figures in documentary film are calling on Congress to protect funding for public television and radio.

“It’s critically important,” Gordon Quinn, a founding member of Kartemquin Films, said during a recent panel discussion at DC/Dox, the prestigious film festival in the nation’s capital – where senators will determine the fate of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (Cpb), which supports the work of PBS and NPR.

Last month by a 214-212 vote, the House approved a “rescissions package” to claw back $9 billion in funding previously approved by Congress, including $1.1 billion for Cpb, as demanded by Pres. Trump. Now the measure is moving to the upper chamber, where it could be voted on as soon as next week.

“It’s up to the Senate,” noted Prof. Patricia Aufderheide of American University, a prominent media scholar and author of a widely read book on documentary film.

The upcoming episode of “American Masters,” titled “Marcella,” promises to be a heartfelt tribute to the culinary legend Marcella Hazan. Airing at 2:00 Am on Monday, July 14, 2025, on PBS, this episode will explore how Hazan transformed American cooking through her cookbooks and teaching. Her dedication to Italian culinary traditions has left a lasting mark on countless kitchens across the country.

Viewers will get a glimpse into Marcella’s life and the passion she had for food. The episode will showcase her journey from Italy to America, highlighting how she introduced authentic Italian flavors and techniques to home cooks. Through interviews and archival footage, the program will illustrate her influence and the way she inspired a generation of chefs and food enthusiasts.

“Marcella” is not just about cooking; it is about the love and connection that food brings to families and friends. The episode aims to celebrate Hazan’s legacy and...

The upcoming episode of “American Masters” titled “Marcella” promises to be a delightful tribute to the legendary chef and author Marcella Hazan. Set to air on PBS at 10:00 Pm on Friday, July 11, 2025, this episode explores the life and legacy of a woman who transformed the way Americans approach Italian cooking.

Marcella Hazan is celebrated for her cookbooks that brought authentic Italian recipes into countless American kitchens. Her passion for cooking and teaching has inspired many home chefs to embrace traditional Italian cuisine. The episode will delve into her journey, highlighting how her commitment to preserving Italian culinary traditions has left a lasting impact on food culture in the United States.

Viewers can expect to see interviews with chefs and food enthusiasts who were influenced by Hazan’s work. The episode will also showcase her signature dishes, illustrating how her simple yet flavorful approach to cooking continues to resonate with people today.

On Friday June 27 2025, PBS broadcasts American Masters!

Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny Season 39 Episode 4 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “American Masters,” titled “Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny,” promises to explore the life and influence of one of the 20th century’s most significant political thinkers. This episode will delve into Arendt’s unique perspectives on power, totalitarianism, and the human condition, making it a compelling watch for those interested in political philosophy and history.

Viewers can expect to learn about Arendt’s early life, her experiences as a Jewish refugee fleeing Nazi Germany, and how these events shaped her thoughts on the nature of evil and authority. The episode will highlight her most famous works, including “The Origins of Totalitarianism” and “The Human Condition,” which continue to resonate in today’s political landscape.

The program will feature interviews with scholars and experts who will provide context and analysis of Arendt’s ideas.

PBS’s American Masters continues its exploration of significant figures with “Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny,” airing Friday, June 27, 2025, at 9:00 Pm Et. This 90-minute documentary zeroes in on the German-American political theorist whose experiences as a World War II political prisoner and refugee shaped her profound understanding of the human condition and the nature […]

American Masters: Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny...

On Friday June 20 2025, PBS broadcasts American Masters!

Janis Ian: Breaking Silence Season 39 Episode 3 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “American Masters,” titled “Janis Ian: Breaking Silence,” promises to be an insightful look into the life of the celebrated singer-songwriter. This episode will explore Janis Ian’s journey from her early days as a young artist to her emergence as a folk icon. It will highlight her unique voice and the powerful lyrics that resonated with many during her career.

Viewers can expect to learn about Ian’s significant contributions to music and her role as a gay rights advocate. The episode will delve into the challenges she faced in both her personal and professional life, showcasing her resilience and determination. Ian’s story is one of breaking barriers and speaking out, making her a pivotal figure in both the music industry and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

Through interviews, archival footage,...

The long-running PBS series American Masters turns its lens on singer-songwriter Janis Ian, an artist who has spent a career challenging convention with little more than a guitar and an unflinching point of view. Titled Breaking Silence, the biography chronicles Ian’s ascent from a teenage folk prodigy to a Grammy-winning musician and staunch advocate for […]

American Masters: Janis Ian: Breaking Silence...

On Friday, June 27, 2025, PBS will air an intriguing episode of “American Masters” titled “Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny.” This episode dives into the life and work of Hannah Arendt, a woman who is often recognized as one of the most influential political thinkers of the 20th century. Viewers will get a closer look at her unique perspectives and the impact she had on political thought.

The episode explores Arendt’s experiences as a Jewish refugee fleeing the horrors of Nazi Germany. Her insights into totalitarianism and the nature of evil are particularly relevant today. The documentary highlights her groundbreaking works, including “The Origins of Totalitarianism” and “The Human Condition,” showcasing how her ideas continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about power and morality.

As the hour unfolds, the program features interviews with scholars and experts who shed light on Arendt’s complex ideas. They reflect on her legacy and the challenges...

The upcoming episode of “American Masters,” titled “Janis Ian: Breaking Silence,” promises to be an inspiring look at the life and career of the legendary singer-songwriter. Set to air on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 9:00 Pm on PBS, this episode delves into the journey of Janis Ian, a folk icon who has made significant contributions to music and social issues.

Viewers can expect to learn about Ian’s rise to fame as a young artist, capturing hearts with her poignant lyrics and soulful melodies. The episode will explore her early years, showcasing how she navigated the music industry while staying true to her artistic vision. Ian’s unique voice and storytelling ability have resonated with audiences for decades, making her a beloved figure in the world of folk music.

Beyond her musical achievements, “Breaking Silence” will highlight Ian’s role as a gay rights advocate. Her courage to speak out on...

Exclusive: Kenneth Cole is a master of the turn of phrase, as well as a master of design, having turned his fashion company into a billion dollar+ business. Case in point: the company tagline – “Kenneth Cole: Always on Purpose.”

That phrase speaks to Cole’s sense of mission that goes well beyond dollars and cents. His role as both entrepreneur and outspoken activist for social causes emerges in the documentary A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole, directed and produced by Dori Berinstein. Submarine Deluxe, the releasing arm of Submarine Entertainment, launches a limited theatrical run on for the film on June 13 at the IFC Center in NYC, expanding the following Friday to L.A. at the Landmark Nuart Theatre as well as other markets.

The theatrical openings will include Q&As in both markets — Kenneth Cole in New York and director Dori Berinstein plus special guests in L.

First it was NPR and now PBS is punching back at Donald Trump’s desire to slash funding for public broadcasters.

In a document seeking “injunctive and other expedited relief” filed Friday in federal court in the District of Columbia, PBS and Northern Minnesota Public TV (Lakeland PBS) are declaring Trump’s Executive Order of May 1, which directed federal agencies and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to halt federal funding for NPR and PBS, to be illegal and unconstitutional.

Trump’s executive order was inked with much fanfare as the president has alleged the entities trafficked in “left-wing propaganda.”

Sorry Mr. President, but that’s not the point, PBS says in so many words.

“A recent survey of a politically representative sample of U.S. adults (conducted by YouGov) showed that PBS is the number one most trusted institution in the United States, as compared to video streaming services, commercial cable television,...

Ryan Coogler’s box-office hit “Sinners” is steeped in the blues, its folklore and legends. People can’t get enough of the movie or its songs, but if you want a deeper dive into the bluesmen who shaped the genre, queue up these documentaries and learn more about Buddy Guy (who plays older Sammie Moore), Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Charley Patton and more.

You can also buy the incredible score by Ludwig Göransson, who was also an executive producer on the movie and on location for the shoot in New Orleans. Special edition LPs will be out on August 29 from Made by Mutant.

Buddy Guy in “Buddy Guy: The Blues Chase The Blues Away” (Credit: Sony Pictures) Buddy Guy: The Blues Chase The Blues Away

This 2021 documentary follows the nearly 70-year career of the blues master, who plays the older version of Sammie Moore in “Sinners. It’s not streaming for free,...

Fred Rogers of “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood” once sat before Congress and gave a moving statement as to why the Nixon administration should not cut federal funding to PBS. But long gone are the days when Republicans and Democrats alike could rally behind one singular figure and beacon of goodness like Mister Rogers. Just last March, leaders of both PBS and NPR were brought before Congress for an ugly hearing in which everyone from Elmo to Elon Musk were invoked.

Again this week, public broadcasting is under attack. President Donald Trump late on Thursday signed an executive order aimed at “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media,” accusing both PBS and NPR of producing biased, “left-wing propaganda.” The order specifically says that the Corporation of Public Broadcasting must stop the direct or indirect funding of PBS, NPR, and its affiliates using taxpayer funded dollars.

But even Clifford the Big Red Dog...

A new episode of the American Masters series, In the Making, will follow Camille A. Brown, the Tony-nominated choreographer of Broadway’s Gypsy and Hell’s Kitchen. The third season of the show focuses on eight artists across a variety of disciplines whose work explores and influences American culture today. The series will premiere on PBS on Tuesday, May 6, beginning with Brown's episode. Camille A. Brown: Giant Steps follows the choreographer as she elevates the possible with bold explorations of everyday movement and African Diasporic dance. The film, co-directed by Shellée Haynesworth and Michelle Parkerson, foregrounds Brown’s visionary talent – affirming urban youth, Black female identity, and community power — from her Queens, New York neighborhood to the Broadway stage, television and movie screens,...

Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse opens with an intimate portrait of its subject—Spiegelman himself—narrating early Breakdowns comics that foreshadow Maus. Premiered at Doc NYC before joining PBS’s American Masters roster, the film stakes its claim on both festival prestige and public-television gravitas.

At its core, the documentary investigates how personal calamities and collective cataclysms have been transmuted into Spiegelman’s visual lexicon.

Seated across from peers like Robert Crumb, he revisits those early xeroxed comix days in San Francisco—a world of anarchic panels and Tiny Nemo-sized rebellions. Yet the focus remains on Maus’s long shadow, which Spiegelman can neither outrun nor entirely embrace.

Here, disaster functions as muse (hence the title), shaping stories with brutal candor and occasional levity. The film’s immediacy lies in that tension: an artist both defined by and refracted through trauma. It lingers.

Forged by Trauma and Ink

Art Spiegelman...

PBS’s “American Masters” turns its attention to the world of graphic novels this Tuesday with a profile of Art Spiegelman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of “Maus.” “Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse” explores Spiegelman’s life and work, focusing on his groundbreaking graphic novel that recounts his parents’ harrowing experiences during the Holocaust. But the documentary […]

American Masters: Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse...

On Tuesday April 15 2025, PBS broadcasts American Masters!

Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse Season 39 Episode 2 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “American Masters” titled “Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse” promises to be a compelling exploration of the life and work of the influential cartoonist Art Spiegelman. This episode will focus on his groundbreaking graphic novel “Maus: A Survivor’s Tale,” which has left a significant mark on literature and art. By telling the story of his parents’ survival during the Holocaust, Spiegelman uses his unique style to address heavy themes of trauma and memory.

Viewers will get a closer look at Spiegelman’s creative process and the challenges he faced while bringing such a personal and painful story to life. The episode will delve into how his experiences and family history shaped his artistic vision. It will also highlight the broader impact of “Maus” on both the comic book...

The upcoming episode of “American Masters,” titled “Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse,” promises to be a compelling exploration of the life and work of the influential cartoonist. Airing on PBS at 10:00 Pm on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, this episode delves into the remarkable career of Art Spiegelman and the profound impact of his Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel, “Maus: A Survivor’s Tale.”

“Maus” is not just a story about the Holocaust; it is a deeply personal narrative that recounts Spiegelman’s parents’ harrowing experiences during that dark chapter in history. The episode will highlight how Spiegelman’s unique approach to storytelling through graphic art transformed the way people perceive and understand the Holocaust. Viewers can expect a rich blend of interviews, archival footage, and insights into Spiegelman’s creative process.

As the episode unfolds, it will reveal how Spiegelman uses art to confront difficult subjects, showing that disaster can indeed inspire profound creativity.

The Tribeca Film Festival has selected the two-part HBO documentary “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” to be its opening night feature on June 4, co-founder and CEO Jane Rosenthal announced at Nab Show’s Business of Entertainment event on Sunday.

“For nearly 25 years, the Tribeca Festival has celebrated the artists who give New York its heart and soul, and on the opening night of the 2025 Festival, we are thrilled to honor Billy Joel — an artist who has embodied that very spirit,” Rosenthal said. “Paying tribute to the legendary performer who captured the essence of a ‘New York State of Mind’ is a perfect way to kick off this year’s celebration of creativity and inspiration.”

The official synopsis describes the doc as “an expansive portrait of the life and music of Billy Joel, exploring the love, loss and personal struggles that fuel his songwriting. With unprecedented access to never-before-seen performances,...

The two-part HBO documentary “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” has been revealed as the opening night film of the 2025 Tribeca Festival, this year presented by Okx. The announcement came from Co-Founder and CEO of Tribeca Festival and Tribeca Enterprises, Jane Rosenthal, who delivered the news during Nab Show’s Business of Entertainment event, presented by Ankler Media on Sunday, April 6.

“For nearly 25 years, the Tribeca Festival has celebrated the artists who give New York its heart and soul, and on the opening night of the 2025 Festival, we are thrilled to honor Billy Joel — an artist who has embodied that very spirit,” said Rosenthal. “Paying tribute to the legendary performer who captured the essence of a ‘New York State of Mind’ is a perfect way to kick off this year’s celebration of creativity and inspiration.”

Tribeca’s opening night at the Beacon Theatre in New York on June 4 will...

To help you anticipate and navigate all that television has to offer across broadcast, cable and streaming, TVLine offers daily, weekly and monthly What to Watch digests, as well as an overview of every new TV show premiering in 2025.

Among new TV releases in April, you have the medical procedural Pulse, the Michelle Williams miniseries Dying for Sex, the Jon Hamm caper Your Friends & Neighbors, Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly’s romance-fueled Ransom Canyon, and the Amy Sherman-Palladino ballet drama Étoile. Also on tap are the final seasons of Andor, The Handmaid’s Tale and You.

More from TVLineEvery New...

The Encampments has turned out looks like the highest per-screen average opening for a documentary with an anticipated $80k+ and sold-out screenings at an exclusive run at the Angelika Film Center in New York.

It’s a major step for indie distributor Watermelon Pictures, a new label, which had moved up the doc’s release given the timeliness of its subject matter. It follows students at Columbia University who in 2024 launched a movement protesting the war in Gaza. The film features detained activist Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student active in the demonstrations who also served as a spokesperson for the group with the University. He was arrested by Ice agents on March 8 and has been held in a detention center in Louisiana, where he faces deportation amid a legal fight over where his case should be heard.

“This film matters, and people are ready for it. It confirms our decision...

To help you anticipate and navigate all that television has to offer across broadcast, cable and streaming, TVLine offers daily, weekly and monthly What to Watch digests, as well as an overview of every new TV show premiering in 2025.

This week, you’ll find a dozen new shows (including Kevin Bacon in The Bondsman, Michelle Williams in Dying for Sex and Willa Fitzgerald in Pulse), 10 returning favorites (including Call the Midwife, The Simpsons and SurrealEstate) and five finales (including the last episode of Fox bubble drama Rescue: Hi-Surf).

More from TVLineEvery New Scripted Show Confirmed to Premiere in 2025 — Save the Dates!

PBS’s “American Masters” turns its lens on a true entertainment icon this Tuesday with “Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story.” The documentary explores the life and career of Liza Minnelli, from her early days in the shadow of her legendary mother, Judy Garland, to her own rise to stardom. It’s a story of raw […]

American Masters: Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story...

A new Piano Man documentary is on its way. On Wednesday, HBO announced Billy Joel: And So It Goes, a two-part documentary about the artist’s life and music and the meaning behind his songwriting.

Susan Lacy — who created American Masters and directed the Spielberg documentary for HBO — will also produce and direct the two-part film meant to be an “expansive portrait of the life and music of Billy Joel,” according to its official synopsis.

“For those who think they know Joel’s story, as well as those who are not as familiar,...

Over 40 years after HBO aired his Live From Long Island special, the cable network is back in business with Billy Joel.

The Piano Man star is the subject of a two-part documentary – Billy Joel: And So It Goes – that will launch this summer.

The two-part is directed by Susan Lacy, who created PBS’ American Masters series and has directed HBO docs Jane Fonda in Five Acts and Spielberg, and Jessica Levin, who produced those docs as well as The Janes.

The doc will explore the life and music of Billy Joel, exploring the love, loss, and personal struggles that fuel his songwriting, per the logline. It includes access to never-before-seen performances, home movies, and personal photographs, along with one-on-one interviews.

It comes after Joel revealed that he was postponing months of touring due to a medical condition.

Joel has been the subject of a number of documentaries in the past...

Greenwich Entertainment has acquired the North American distribution rights to “Marcella,” the documentary about legendary Italian chef and cookbook author Marcella Hazan. Directed by Emmy and Peabody Award winner Peter Miller (aka Doc Pomus), the Oak Street Pictures and Willow Pond Films production made its world premiere at the Coronado Island Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award, followed by a win for Best Film at the 2025 Taste Awards.

Greenwich will release “Marcella” in theaters on May 9, ahead of its national broadcast and streaming premiere on PBS’ “American Masters,” which will be announced at a later date.

Hailed by Julia Child as “my mentor in all things Italian,” Marcella Hazan revolutionized the way Americans cook and understand Italian food. Through her best-selling cookbooks, she introduced generations to the beauty of authentic Italian cuisine. The New York Times once declared, “What Alice Waters did for restaurants, Hazan did for home cooks.

We’ve got some sad news this morning, with it revealed that the legendary R&b singer Roberta Flack has passed away at 88 years old. The singer fought a long battle with Als and has been retired since 2022. Flack had a series of number-one hits on the Billboard Top 40, with “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” and the iconic “Killing Me Softy With His Song.” That last song received new life in the nineties when it was covered by The Fugees.

Flack was seen as one of the pioneers of the “quiet storm” genre of R&b which dominated radio throughout much of the seventies. Basically, the genre mixed smooth, jazz-flavoured grooves with R&B, and Flack was among it’s most prolific stars. The genre fell out of favor in the mid-eighties, but Flack remained much in demand. In the mid-eighties, she...

On Friday February 21 2025, PBS broadcasts American Masters!

The Disappearance of Miss Scott Season 38 Episode 7 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “American Masters,” titled “The Disappearance of Miss Scott,” promises to delve into the life of jazz musician Hazel Scott. This episode will explore her journey as a talented artist who used her platform to advocate for racial equality in a challenging time.

Set against the backdrop of the 1950s, the episode highlights the struggles and triumphs of Scott as she navigates the complex social landscape of her era. Known for her exceptional piano skills and powerful voice, Hazel Scott became a prominent figure in jazz. However, her outspoken views on race and equality put her in a precarious position during the Red Scare.

As the episode unfolds, viewers will witness the impact of political tensions on Scott’s career and personal life. The show will shed light on how her activism and artistic expression intersected,...

PBS’s American Masters takes a look Hazel Scott, a jazz virtuoso, civil rights pioneer, and the first Black American woman to host her own television show. This episode aims to rescue Scott from undeserved obscurity, exploring her remarkable life, her fight for equality, and the devastating impact of the Red Scare on her career. Scott’s […]

American Masters: Hazel Scott, a Forgotten Pioneer...

In the upcoming episode of “American Masters,” titled “The Disappearance of Miss Scott,” viewers will be taken on a journey through the life of jazz virtuoso Hazel Scott. This episode, airing on February 21, 2025, at 9:00 Pm on PBS, explores the remarkable career and challenges faced by Scott during a turbulent time in American history.

Hazel Scott was not only a talented musician but also a passionate advocate for racial equality. Her contributions to jazz and her fight for civil rights are highlighted in this episode, showcasing her dedication to creating a more just society. However, as the 1950s unfolded, Scott found herself entangled in the Red Scare, a period marked by fear and suspicion. This episode delves into the complexities of her life as she navigated the pressures of fame, race, and political turmoil.

“The Disappearance of Miss Scott” promises to be a compelling exploration of an influential figure whose story is often overlooked.

Marlee Matlin said it was “imperative” that the person directing her documentary, “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” was also deaf. So when producers of American Masters suggested her longtime friend Shoshannah Stern, who created Sundance Now’s “This Close” — the first TV series created, written by, and starring deaf artists — Matlin knew she was in good hands.

“Having her on board, I knew that I could trust her 100%,” Matlin told TheWrap via an Asl interpreter at TheWrap’s Sundance Studio presented by World of Hyatt. “She followed her instincts all those years of us knowing each other, I knew she was the perfect fit.”

The 59-year-old actress, who was the first deaf performer to win an Oscar in 1987 for her role in “Children of a Lesser God,” said, “It was imperative that I had a director who was deaf, and I knew that someone deaf like myself had the same lived experiences with ‘deafness,...

For almost 40 years, actress Marlee Matlin has shown how what some may deem a disability can actually be made a strength. Winning the 1986 Academy Award for Best Actress for her stunning turn in “Children of a Lesser God,” Matlin became the first deaf performer to receive such an accolade and quickly rose as a representative for the deaf community at-large, promoting the implantation of closed-captioning and serving as a celebrity ambassador for disability rights with the ACLU. Her film and television career has also continued to flourish, recently taking part in the 2022 Best Picture winning family drama “Coda.” To honor her work, American Masters at PBS commissioned a documentary on her life, but before agreeing to sign on, Matlin had a few stipulations.

“I was approached by American Masters at PBS to do a film about my life and I said, ‘Sure, absolutely,’ and I have, though, one condition that...

In her documentary “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” the star continues to explore the at times lonesome space she has occupied since bursting on the scene in 1986: that of being a representative for deaf people, and being herself. For more than three decades, Matlin was the only deaf performer to have won an Oscar, and among the few to have what could be considered a mainstream acting career. That changed when Troy Kotsur, her co-star in the 2021 Oscar-winning drama “Coda,” took home the prize for best supporting actor.

At 19, Matlin was cast opposite William Hurt in the adaptation of the play “Children of a Lesser God.” She portrayed Sarah Norman, a janitor in a school for the deaf. Hurt’s character is a speech teacher. She resists speaking. He says he won’t push her to speak but then does. After production, Hurt became Matlin’s romantic partner. So,...

It’s shocking, now, to look back and realize that actress Marlee Matlin was just 21 when she won an Academy Award in 1986. She was, as she recalls in “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” practically a child. As we learn in this deeply affectionate biographical history, the actress, who is deaf, has already been through a lifetime of challenges. And yet, there were plenty more to come.

As a PBS American Masters portrait designed to celebrate Matlin’s accomplishments, “Not Alone Anymore” can’t really be called a traditional documentary. Matlin chose first-time director Shoshannah Stern herself (they worked together on the Sundance Now series “This Close”), and the connection between them is evident. Though this obviously precludes a lack of neutral distance, it also opens up space for Matlin to share her story with unguarded intimacy.

And what a story it turns out to be. Matlin lost her hearing as...

Let’s be honest, when you hear “Brenda Lee,” you probably think “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” And fair enough. That song is a holiday staple, as ubiquitous as eggnog and awkward family gatherings. But PBS’s “American Masters” is betting you’ll be interested in more than just a festive singalong. Their upcoming Brenda Lee documentary, airing […]

American Masters: Brenda Lee...

Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire star Mckenna Grace officially joins the cast of Scream 7. Whether Grace will be one of those trying to survive the infamous Ghostface, or if she’ll be the killer behind the iconic mask obviously hasn’t been disclosed. Nevertheless, the actress will join legacy star Neve Campbell, who is returning to the horror franchise for the first time since 2022’s Scream.

Grace, whose casting was reported by Deadline, isn’t the only newcomer to join the Scream saga, which began with director Wes Craven’s original film back in 1996. In Scream 7, Sidney Prescott’s (Campbell) daughter will be a new player trying to survive the madness of Ghostface, and 24-year-old actress Isabel May has been cast to portray Sidney’s pride and joy.

May most recently appeared in Masters of the Air and American Masters. However, the actress is best-known for her...

Contemporary culture finally caught up with Billy Crystal when he performed his Sammy Davis Jr. impression while hosting the Academy Awards in 2012. While Crystal had trotted out the character several times during Saturday Night Live’s 10th season and included a “Sammy for Africa” track on his Mahvelous comedy album without incident, many were no longer laughing at his blackface makeup, no matter how affectionate the tribute to Davis.

Feministing pointed out the obvious: “Blackface is not okay. Ever.” Grantland wondered how the Academy allowed it: “For Crystal to do this bit in blackface, at the exclusion of genuinely any sense, points to, in a Panglossianly benign interpretation of their motives, a world-class indifference to race at the very minimum.” After Octavia Spencer took home a Best Supporting Actress Oscar later that night, comedian Paul Scheer tweeted, “Octavia Spencer’s win shows just how far we’ve come since Billy Crystal performed in blackface.

A writers’ strike at PBS was narrowly averted on Thursday night as the Writers Guild of America East and member stations reached a deal.

The three stations involved in the negotiations — Boston-based Wgbh, Tri-State-area station Thirteen and greater L.A.’s PBS SoCal — announced the tentative deal on Friday morning, with the union confirming the provisional agreement just a few hours later. “Thirteen, GBH, and PBS SoCal are pleased to have reached an agreement with WGA East. We look forward to continuing our work to deliver trusted public media to our audiences,” a spokesperson for the employer group stated on Friday morning.

The unionized writers covered under the contract work on programs including Frontline, American Masters, Nova and some Ken Burns specials. They also write for the animated series Cyberchase, Carl the Collector, Molly of Denali and Work It Out Wombats.

Few details are available about the deal at present, but according to the union,...

Writers on the PBS shows “Frontline,” “Nova” and “American Experience” have voted to authorize a strike if a new contract is not reached by midnight on Thursday.

The Writers Guild of America has been bargaining since late September with three PBS stations — Wgbh in Boston, Thirteen in New York and PBS SoCal in Los Angeles. The union is seeking improved terms, such as “reasonable” residuals for streaming, for 94 writers in the bargaining unit.

If a deal is not reached, the union could call a strike as soon as Friday. A strike would halt writing work on numerous PBS shows, which also include Ken Burns Specials, “American Masters” and the PBS Kids series “Donkey Hodie” and “Odd Squad.”

The union is seeking to expand its jurisdiction to cover PBS animated series, such as “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Molly of Denali” and “Pinkalicious & Peterrific.” Writers on those shows have pledged not to...