American Playhouse

Background

The series proved to be a springboard for numerous performers, including David Marshall Grant, Laura Linney, A Martinez, Conchata Ferrell, Eric Roberts, Lynne Thigpen, John Malkovich, Peter Riegert, Lupe Ontiveros, Ben Stiller, and Megan Mullally. As part of WGBH's development of the Descriptive Video Service (DVS), American Playhouse was one of the first American television programs to air with audio description for the visually impaired on the Secondary audio program (SAP).

After trialing the system during previous seasons, the 1990 season was the first to offer it as part of their wider rollout of DVS, initially through 32 member stations. In 1994, the series announced an ambitious joint venture with The Samuel Goldwyn Company, in which American Playhouse would produce theatrical motion pictures released by Goldwyn. Those films included Angels and Insects (1995), Reckless (1995), Palookaville (1995), My Family (1995), and I Shot Andy Warhol (1996). However, the series was cancelled before any of the films aired on PBS.

Accolades

Some of the productions won multiple Emmys: one for Robert Morse in Tru, Outstanding Children's Program for Displaced Person, and technical achievements for The Meeting, alongside many nominations. Academy Award recognitions included El Norte's nomination for Best Original Screenplay, a Best Actress nod for Jane Alexander in Testament, a Best Live Action Short Film win for Ray's Male Heterosexual Dance Hall, a Best Actor nod for Edward James Olmos in Stand and Deliver, a Best Supporting Actor nod for Bruce Davison in Longtime Companion, and a Best Original Screenplay nod for Metropolitan. Golden Globe recognitions included three for Stand and Deliver: two for Olmos (Leading Actor) and Diamond Phillips (Supporting Actor) and one for Best Motion Picture – Drama. American Playhouse also won a Peabody Award in 1990.