THIRTEEN's American Masters Podcast Launches Season 3 on February 20 via pbs.org/americanmasters and New Distribution Partnership with PRX

Features new interviews conducted by actor Josh Hamilton and previously unreleased interviews from the American Masters series archiveSubscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, Google Podcasts, NPR1, Stitcher and other podcast apps

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Feb 13, 2019, 09:15 ET

NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- THIRTEEN's American Masters series launches season three of the American Masters Podcast on Wednesday, February 20 through a new distribution partnership with PRX. Led by co-producer/actor Josh Hamilton ("Eighth Grade," "13 Reasons Why," "Blaze"), the original, interview-based podcast is available now on the American Masters website, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify and other podcast apps.

"American Masters," THIRTEEN's award-winning biography series, explores the lives and creative journeys of America's most enduring artistic and cultural giants. With insight and originality, the series illuminates the extraordinary mosaic of our nation's landscape, heritage and traditions. Watch full episodes and more at http://pbs.org/americanmasters . (PRNewsfoto/WNET)

The new season of the American Masters Podcast features 10 biweekly episodes with artists and cultural figures discussing their works, creative processes and heroes. Through the lens of each guest's own biography, the new season asks: Who has inspired your path to success? What is the value of a hero? What makes someone an American Master?

Episode one (February 20) features a new interview between comedian-turned-filmmaker Bo Burnham and Hamilton, who acted in Burnham's debut film, "Eighth Grade." In a wide-ranging conversation, Burnham considers the purpose of having heroes, and discusses his upbringing and wunderkind career as a young comedian and YouTube celebrity. Episode two (March 6) features a rare, unreleased interview with legendary entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr., and Davis biographer Burt Boyar, unearthed during production of the documentary American Masters – Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me (February 19 at 9 p.m. on PBS, check local listings), with commentary from director Sam Pollard and writer and co-producer Laurence Maslon. Episode three (March 20) features a new interview with filmmaker, artist and writer Miranda July about the influence of everyday encounters on her life and work. Later episodes include original interviews with James Beard Award-winning chef David Chang, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Viet Thanh Nguyen, musician and filmmaker Boots Riley, activist DeRay Mckesson and others.

"Anyone and everyone who becomes an American Master had a hero and was influenced by the greats who came before," said Michael Kantor, executive producer of American Masters, "and this season we speak with contemporary culture makers about their influences."

Launched in 1986, American Masters has earned 28 Emmy Awards — including 10 for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series and five for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special — 13 Peabodys, an Oscar, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards and many other honors. Now in its 33^rd season on PBS, the series features new documentaries about country music star Charley Pride (February 22), feminist singer and activist Holly Near (March 1), media mogul Joseph Pulitzer (April 12), photographer Garry Winogrand (April 19), playwright Terrence McNally (June 14) and others artistic and cultural giants.

To further explore the lives and works of masters past and present, the American Masters website (http://pbs.org/americanmasters) offers streaming video of select films, outtakes, filmmaker interviews, educational resources and In Their Own Words: The American Masters Digital Archive: previously unreleased videos of luminaries discussing America's most enduring artistic and cultural giants. The series is a production of THIRTEEN PRODUCTIONS LLC for WNET and also seen on the WORLD channel.

The American Masters Podcast is produced by Joe Skinner. Michael Kantor is executive producer.

Websites: http://pbs.org/americanmasters, http://facebook.com/americanmasters, @PBSAmerMasters, http://youtube.com/AmericanMastersPBS, http://instagram.com/pbsamericanmasters, #AmericanMastersPBS

About WNET
WNET is America's flagship PBS station: parent company of New York's THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, the statewide public media network in New Jersey. Through its new ALL ARTS multi-platform initiative, its broadcast channels, three cable services (THIRTEEN PBSKids, Create and World) and online streaming sites, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to more than five million viewers each month. WNET produces and presents a wide range of acclaimed PBS series, including Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, PBS NewsHour Weekend, and the nightly interview program Amanpour and Company. In addition, WNET produces numerous documentaries, children's programs, and local news and cultural offerings, as well as multi-platform initiatives addressing poverty and climate. Through THIRTEEN Passport and WLIW Passport, station members can stream new and archival THIRTEEN, WLIW and PBS programming anytime, anywhere.

About PRX
PRX is a leading media company, shaping the future of audio by connecting talented producers with their most engaged, supportive audiences. PRX builds technology and creates cutting-edge content that reaches millions of listeners worldwide. The company was named one of Fast Company's 'Ten Most Innovative Companies in Media' in both 2015 and 2017. PRX is a founding member of Matter Ventures, a media accelerator program, and RadioPublic, a company driving podcast listener discovery, engagement and revenue for creators. Radiotopia is PRX's curated network of cutting-edge podcasts, anchored by 99% Invisible from Roman Mars.

SOURCE WNET