Against All Odds: Meet the Woman Behind American Masters
About the Episode
Susan Lacy, creator of American Masters, reflects on the beginnings of the series, and how she secured a primetime slot in the summer of 1986. As a young, tenacious staffer at WNET, she saw the promise of telling the compelling stories of artists and “those who create and achieve against all odds.”
Aired:
| Expires: | Runtime: 5m 29s
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Extras
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Gioncarlo Valentine: Exposures
Photographer Gioncarlo Valentine documents intimacy as a radical act of self-exploration.18:13 -
Janis Ian wrote “Some People’s Lives” as a tribute to her friend
Janis Ian wrote “Some People’s Lives” with songwriter Kye Fleming.3:02 -
How Janis Ian wrote “Society’s Child”
Janis Ian was inspired to write “Society’s Child” after observing an interracial couple on her bus.1:10 -
Why Janis Ian’s song “At Seventeen” was so universally beloved
Janis Ian’s song “At Seventeen” spoke to audiences of all kinds and had a universal relevance.2:05 -
Janis Ian: Breaking Silence
Trace the life and music of “Society’s Child” folk icon and LGBTQ+ advocate Janis Ian.2:30 -
Sarah Thankam Mathews: After All This [Extended Audio Description]
Follow author Sarah Thankam Mathews as pressure mounts to follow up her acclaimed debut novel.17:58 -
Sarah Thankam Mathews: After All This [ASL]
Follow author Sarah Thankam Mathews as pressure mounts to follow up her acclaimed debut novel.15:37 -
Sarah Thankam Mathews: After All This
Follow author Sarah Thankam Mathews as pressure mounts to follow up her acclaimed debut novel.15:38 -
Camille A. Brown: Giant Steps [Extended Audio Description]
Follow the Broadway choreographer as she elevates the possible with bold explorations of movement.17:14 -
Camille A. Brown: Giant Steps [ASL]
Follow the Broadway choreographer as she elevates the possible with bold explorations of movement.15:25
![Sarah Thankam Mathews: After All This [Extended Audio Description]](https://cdn.grove.wgbh.org/dims4/default/bcdc0ea/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1920x1070+0+5/resize/280x156!/quality/70/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimage.pbs.org%2Fvideo-assets%2FIND5Jl2-asset-mezzanine-16x9-aX2Qnlf.jpg)
![Sarah Thankam Mathews: After All This [ASL]](https://cdn.grove.wgbh.org/dims4/default/5308bd3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1920x1070+0+5/resize/280x156!/quality/70/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimage.pbs.org%2Fvideo-assets%2FV0cukDW-asset-mezzanine-16x9-1yXcVc1.jpg)
![Camille A. Brown: Giant Steps [Extended Audio Description]](https://cdn.grove.wgbh.org/dims4/default/1baa1d2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1920x1070+0+5/resize/280x156!/quality/70/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimage.pbs.org%2Fvideo-assets%2FqsbWv1R-asset-mezzanine-16x9-en1YRFr.jpg)
![Camille A. Brown: Giant Steps [ASL]](https://cdn.grove.wgbh.org/dims4/default/e930822/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1920x1070+0+5/resize/280x156!/quality/70/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimage.pbs.org%2Fvideo-assets%2FqoEwy0z-asset-mezzanine-16x9-93mDYAm.jpg)