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.

Series creator Damon Lindelof and director Stephen Williams walk us through the pivotal sixth episode; Kanye West's "opera" at the Hollywood Bowl; The Grammy Museum adds a gallery for Latin music.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea writes about his violent step-father who also inspired his love of music; Elizabeth Banks wants to up-end Hollywood’s outdated ideas of what kinds of movies women can direct; and Comedian Gabriel Iglesias reunites with the high school teacher who helped him find his voice.

The actor plays a corporate attorney who switches sides to go after an environmental polluter; Hollywood Reporter TV critic Daniel Feinberg on the glut of TV programming.

Native American playwright Larissa FastHorse examines cultural pitfalls of the holiday; late-night TV hosts are having a field day with the impeachment hearings; singer Dorian Wood channels Chavela Vargas.

The bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers has a new memoir that recounts his days before he met his bandmates in high school; the Grammy nominations make history, but could still use some improvement.

The 19-year-old filmmaker shot the movie while he was still in high school, and it won him awards at the Tribeca Film Festival; the U.S. Justice Dept. may allow studios to once again own movie theaters; the comedians who warm up TV studio audiences.

The writer/director strives for a sense of sisterhood in all her projects; Louie C.K.'s return to the stage; comedian Gabriel Iglesias reunites with an influential high school teacher of his.

Lena Waithe and Melina Matsoukas want “Queen & Slim" to make an impact on the culture as a form of protest art; Congressman Julian Castro questions in Hollywood is engaged in "systemic exclusion" of Latinos; "Ford v Ferrari" director James Mangold; "Scandalous" doc tell story of National Enquirer

Director Trey Edward Shults and actress Taylor Russell talk about their drama focused on an African-American family; Taylor Swift's ongoing battle for her early music; Josh Homme's "Desert Sessions."

The actor takes on a new challenge for Lauren Yee's play at The Pasadena Playhouse; the Country Music Association Awards and a dichotomy in country music; the composers of "Dickinson" use modern music for the classic tale.

Mark Landsman's documentary looks at the roots and the modern history of the notorious tabloid; Anna Waronker and the revival of the band That Dog; Song Exploder with Raphael Saadiq.

Daniel J. Jones, the Senate investigator who uncovered the CIA's use of torture in the wake of 9/11, talks about the movie based on his work, in which he's played by Adam Driver; Disney's new streaming service got off to a shaky start because of tech issues; Sam Beam of Iron & Wine and Joey Burns from Calexico have teamed up for another album.