TV American Experience - Season 4 Episode 12 : Barnum's Big Top American Experience - Season 4 Episode 12 : Barnum's Big Top 6.6/10 by 43 users P.T. Barnum was huckster, con man, promoter and entertainer. His American Museum featured ancient relics side by side with such "living curiosities" as lions, snakes, bearded ladies and Siamese twins. In 1871 he took the whole show on the road; it traveled by rail. Barnum introduced the idea of three rings, and his "Jumbo the Elephant" added a new word to the English language. By the time he teamed up with James Bailey, his circus had become "The Greatest Show on Earth." Details Casts Posters Images Title American Experience - Season 4 Episode 12 : Barnum's Big Top Alternative Titles The American Experience First Air Date 1988-10-04 Last Air Date 2026-01-06 Number of Episodes 400 Number of Seasons 38 Genres Documentary, Networks PBS, Casts Plot Keywords , Episodes List American Experience Season 4 :Episode 1 LBJ (1) LBJ (1) 1991-09-30 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 4 :Episode 2 LBJ (2) LBJ (2) 1991-09-30 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 4 :Episode 3 The Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry The Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry 1991-10-07 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 4 :Episode 4 Scandalous Mayor Scandalous Mayor 1991-10-28 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 4 :Episode 5 The Johnstown Flood The Johnstown Flood 1991-11-04 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 4 :Episode 6 Pearl Harbor: Surprise and Remembrance Pearl Harbor: Surprise and Remembrance 1991-11-11 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 4 :Episode 7 G-Men: The Rise of J. Edgar Hoover G-Men: The Rise of J. Edgar Hoover 1992-02-24 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 4 :Episode 8 Duke Ellington: Reminiscing in Tempo Duke Ellington: Reminiscing in Tempo 1991-12-09 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 4 :Episode 9 The Quiz Show Scandal The Quiz Show Scandal 1992-01-06 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 4 :Episode 10 Love in the Cold War Love in the Cold War 1992-01-13 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 4 :Episode 11 Wild by Law Wild by Law 1992-02-10 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 4 :Episode 12 Barnum's Big Top Barnum's Big Top 1991-10-14 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 4 :Episode 13 In the White Man's Image In the White Man's Image 1992-02-17 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.