The Frame

A new report by the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA says movies and TV shows with diverse casts (such as "Empire," pictured) make good financial sense; Song Exploder breaks down the theme song for "House of Cards"; a new stage production at CalTech takes "Alice Through the Wormhole."

How did Amy Poehler's sitcom (pictured) survive seven seasons of average ratings?; Sam Beam, aka Iron & Wine, returns to his musical roots with "Archive Series Volume Number One"; Wes Anderson's Oscar-winning film is the subject of a new book; the L.A. Philharmonic stages a multimedia production of "Alice in Wonderland."

Sam Beam -- better known by his stage name Iron and Wine -- started writing stripped down folk songs more than a decade ago in his bedroom in Miami, Florida. After experimenting with Jazz, R&B and Pop, he returns to his quiet folk music roots with “Archive Series Volume No. 1.” Iron and Wine performs a live-set of songs new and old for The Frame. Set List: "Everyone’s Summer of ’95” “Two Hungry Blackbirds” “Low Light Buddy of Mine” Our interview with Beam and more here: http://www.scpr.org/programs/the-frame/2015/02/20/41644/iron-wine-performs-songs-from-archive-series-volum/ Video produced by Zach Stamey, James Kim and Maya Sugarman.

A special edition of The Frame examines Hollywood's diversity challenge with screenwriter José Rivera, producer Effie Brown and Frank Leonard, CEO of the The Black List screenplay project.

Many of the winners of the 87th Academy Awards joined us on The Frame to talk about their work. Hear from Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, Best Adapted Screenplay winner Graham Moore (pictured), Best Actress Julianne Moore and ... more!

“Comedy Bang Bang” host Scott Aukerman (far right, with sidekick Reggie Watts) loves and laughs at late-night talk shows; How the "Interstellar" sound editor created the sound of gravity; The indie film crowd gets raucous at the Independent Spirit Awards; How "Hero" by Family of the Year became the unofficial theme song of “Boyhood."

Photographer Sandro Miller talks about how he recreated some of the world’s most famous portraits with actor John Malkovich (pictured) as his muse; Kate Burton and Jason Robards talk about being second-generation actors; The sound designer from "Birdman" breaks down a scene from the film.

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail have another stage hit with their hip-hop musical, "Hamilton" (pictured); How the sound editors for "Unbroken" created a pivotal scene for the movie; Thomas Lennon plays Felix Unger in CBS' remake of "The Odd Couple."

Jason Blum made his name producing successful, low-budget horror films, but he could get an Oscar as part of the producing team for "Boyhood" (pictured); the Sundance Institute pairs composers and filmmakers at Skywalker Ranch; Simon Rich's "Man Seeking Woman" is one of the most bizarre sitcoms on TV.

Our interviews with the best actors, best directors and more ahead of the Academy Awards. Hear from Wes Anderson, Alejandro Iñárritu (far right, with Michael Keaton), Richard Linklater, Benedict Cumberbatch, Julianne Moore, Eddie Redmayne, Reese Witherspoon and more.

The writer and stand-up comedian has a new book and a newfound passion for performing; TV networks preview their coming shows, including the next season of "Fargo," starring Chris Rock and Jason Schwartzman; the exhibit "Natural History of Horror" looks at how real events inspired some favorite scary movies.

There aren't many women working as second unit directors on movies, much less African-Americans, but Victoria Mahoney has broken through; Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman make their sales pitch for Quibi.

Zahra Noorbakhsh, an Iranian-American comedian who regularly incorporates her identity into her act, now has some new material; actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II played Doctor Manhattan on "Watchmen" and this year, he’ll star in two high profile movies; the man behind The Daptone Sound.

The pianist has taken full advantage of his role as bandleader for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert"; breaking down the Directors Guild Award nominations.

Stars and executive producers Kate Moenning and Leisha Hailey talk about the reboot of the Showtime series; Harvey Weinstein's trial gets underway in New York City; the influential L.A.-based artist John Baldessari has died.

"Watchmen" star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is in high profile movies this year from Jordan Peele and Aaron Sorkin; John Horn reviews the evolution in film, television, pop music and theater over the last decade; we meet the band Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles.

The highlights and lowlights from the 2010s in movies with Manohla Dargis (New York Times) and culture critic Tre'vell Anderson, and pop music with Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding of the podcast, “Switched on Pop.”

The highlights and lowlights from the 2010s in TV with Lorraine Ali (Los Angeles Times) and Daniel Fienberg (The Hollywood Reporter), and theater with Jesse Green (New York Times).

In his memoir, "Acid For The Children," the bass player from the Red Hot Chili Peppers (born Michael Peter Balzary) details his wild days as a child and teen before forming the band in Los Angeles.

The singer/songwriter's memoir reflects on death, sex, motherhood and misogyny.

Yes, a lot of media outlets are currently re-capping the past decade —and we've been here for half of it! Join us for many of our favorite moments.

The veteran actor has lately been starring in some dark roles ("Get Out," The Handmaid's Tale"), but he has switched things up with the sitcom, "Perfect Harmony."