The Frame

Writer/director John Ridley (far right, with actor Timothy Hutton) talks about his edgy new TV series, “American Crime"; We crash a viewing party for the breakout TV hit, “Empire"; Musician and attorney Joe Escalante on the fallout from the “Blurred Lines” verdict.

A jury ruled that Robin Thicke (pictured) and Pharrell Williams violated the copyright to Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up"; an assistant director on the film "Midnight Rider" was found guilty of charges relating to the death of a camera assistant; producer David Shore revived a TV project created a dozen years ago by Vince Gilligan, before his "Breaking Bad" success.

"Midnight Rider" director Randall Miller was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to charges resulting from the death of a crew member on the set; Clint Eastwood talks about "American Sniper" (pictured) becoming the biggest-grossing film released in 2014; actress Gillian Jacobs has added director to her resumé with a documentary about computer pioneer Grace Hopper.

A fan laments that legendary radio DJ Art Laboe (pictured) can't be heard in L.A., at least for now; Robert Christgau, the Dean of American Rock Critics, has a memoir covering his 40-plus years on the music beat; Claire Keane is a third-generation artist who left a cushy job to write and illustrate children's books.

The trial for the lawsuit brought by Marvin Gaye's children against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams is nearing an end; how "Dead Man Walking" was transformed from a movie to an opera (pictured); comedian Wayne Federman rounds up his hilarious friends to host a film festival where they chose the lineup; comic book writer Scott Snyder put his anxieties into his version of "Batman."

Ed Piskor’s "Hip Hop Family Tree” (pictured) takes a look at the music's history in a comic book series; young comedians test their chops in roast battles; the Writer's Guild examines the lack of racial and gender diversity among TV writers.

Late night host Conan O'Brien tells us about his trip to Cuba and his thoughts on the late night TV shuffle; Vulture.com's Margaret Lyons recommends some TV shows that have an air of optimism; comic book writer Ed Brubaker goes from Captain America and Batman to a Hollywood noir graphic novel.

Will Smith's "Focus" (pictured) did middling business in its opening weekend, so where does this leave his career?; filmmaker Ed Burns on the highs and lows of his career since bursting on the scene with "The Brothers McMullen" in 1995; Valiant Entertainment has a simple goal: make comic books like they used to be made.

Leonard Nimoy (pictured) died today. We discuss his artistic journey as an actor, writer and photographer; the copyright trial pitting Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and T.I. against Marvin Gaye's children is underway; Will Forte is "The Last Man on Earth," a new Fox comedy.

Singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane (pictured) wrote "The Ambassador," a song cycle inspired by architectural landmarks around L.A.; Yann Demange's new film is set amidst the violent Northern Ireland conflict known as The Troubles; a new study concludes that watching even just one film can change minds about a topic as charged as politics.

Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe talk about their satirical film, which they wrote, directed, and star in; the legacy of film producer Robert Evans; Song Exploder with Raphael Saadiq.

What Robert Pattinson loves about acting and why he made the surreal film "The Lighthouse"; the buried American history inside HBO's "Watchmen," and "Jojo Rabbit" director Taika Waititi defends his anti-hate satire.

The sound editor turns director for her documentary on "The Art of Cinematic Sound"; pianist Cameron Graves is part of L.A.'s young generation of jazz artists.

The actor has in recent years taken on dark roles in the movie "Get Out" and the TV series, "The Handmaid’s Tale.” So he decided to lighten up with a sitcom.

The filmmaker — who endured an ill-advised screening at a major film festival, followed by The Weinstein Company filing for bankruptcy — is finally seeing the release of “The Current War: Director’s Cut”; is "South Park" worth $500 million on the streaming market?; Morrissey's political leanings may be jeopardizing his large Latino fanbase.

The actor bought the rights to Jonathan Lethem's book in 1999, and finally was able to direct his own adaptation of the novel.

In the singer/songwriter's new memoir, she reflects on death, sex, motherhood and misogyny.

Why Bradley Whitford is following his dark roles in "Get Out" and "The Handmaids Tale" with a new NBC sit-com; "Batwoman" creator says her lead was always going to be gay; The Chambers Brothers recount their musical journey

The actor has two major films this Fall, “Marriage Story” and “The Report.” He spoke with John Horn at the Telluride Film Festival.

The director adapted the screenplay for "JOJO Rabbit," a satire about a young German boy and his imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler; the plight of assistants in Hollywood.

The actor stars in the thriller, which is a departure from the “Twilight” franchise that brought him fame.

Director Roxanne Benjamin on Shudder's new anthology series, "Creepshow"; why Fortnite went dark; Art Alexakis, the frontman of Everclear, is back with a solo album.