The Frame

What the early Academy Award predictions are telling us about diversity — or the lack thereof — among this year’s potential nominees; the documentary "This Ain't No Mouse Music," about Bay Area recording legend Chris Strachwitz, gives new insight into what drove his musical journey.

“The Simpsons” launched its 26th season Sunday. Vulture.com editor Jesse David Fox joins us to discuss how they chose the 100 Best Simpsons episodes; “The Equalizer” won the box office this weekend, but we also take a look at how some smaller, independent films are doing.

The FAA just approved use of drones for feature films. We talk with the owner of a company that stands to benefit; an Asian-American theater company explores how cultural bias can warp a family’s ability to discuss mental illness; Antoine Fuqua first directed Denzel Washington in "Training Day." Now they're together again for "The Equalizer."

Soloway talks about how Lena Dunham and Louis CK changed the way she writes; pianist and composer Cathlene Pineda discusses her commission for the Angel City Jazz Festival; and Viola Davis on why her casting for "How To Get Away With Murder" is groundbreaking

Kenya Barris, creator of the new ABC series "black-ish," says they had written an episode about spanking before the Adrian Peterson story broke. His challenge: Getting the network to buy in to the controversial topic; Artist Ai Weiwei debuts a new installation at Alcatraz that touches on themes such as freedom and human rights.

The actress founded an institute on gender in media that reports women don't get enough speaking roles in Hollywood; art and science intersect at the AxS Festival; New York's Metropolitan Opera opens its season amid protests, and more.

Colin Farrell will star in the next season of HBO's "True Detective"; Matt Atchity of Rotten Tomatoes chats about this weekend's box office winners and losers, including "The Maze Runner" (pictured). Plus, Jon Stewart discusses his first time on a comedy stage, Fox debuts “Gotham," and more.

How Scott Frank convinced Liam Neeson to star in yet another hostage movie; “Last Days in Vietnam” portrays the U.S. exit from Saigon; and a look at the legendary jazz musician at the heart of “Keep On Keepin’ On.”

The Toronto International Film Festival has a late-night series that brings out devoted horror fans; a group of artists and activists put a spotlight on LA's waterway; the indie band Allah-Las returns to its roots at Amoeba Records; and film director Ned Benson talks about his accidental trilogy, "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby."

In our latest episode, we get a preview of one of the largest and most vital film festivals on the circuit; we sit under a 340-ton boulder to interview Doug Pray about the subject of his documentary, "Levitated Mass: The Story of Michael Heizer's Monolithic Sculpture"; and we chat with Teller (yes, of Penn & Teller) and Aaron Posner — co-directors of a novel staging of "The Tempest" at South Coast Repertory.

Jill Soloway on the making of the "musicale finale" of "Transparent" — without actor Jeffrey Tambor; a group of up-and-coming film composers and indie directors convene at Skywalker Ranch for some intensive collaboration.

Jim Gaffigan is best known for his comedy, but can play a mean child kidnapper too; what the retirement of the head of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame could mean for overlooked artists; singer/songwriter Lupita Infante carries on her grandfather's legacy.

The LA-based contemporary dance company BodyTraffic debuts new works; what The Black Keys concert fiasco says about the live music industry; how the prolific musician Alex G transforms his voice.

Executive producers Susannah Grant and Sarah Timberman on their Netflix adaptation of a true story about the search for a serial rapist; concerns in Aurora, Colorado about the themes in "Joker"; the band Trashcan Sinatras.

The actress talks about playing the iconic singer and actress Judy Garland; Emmys were a big night for Phoebe Waller-Bridge, not so good for the broadcast networks; our resident "Downton Abbey" nerds revel in their big weekend.

Television is exploding and it’s time to celebrate! Join The Frame's John Horn and L.A. Times TV critic Lorraine Ali as they break down the year in television and this year's Emmy-worthy shows.

Documentary filmmaker Irene Taylor Brodsky turns the camera on her 11-year-son and his effort to learn Beethoven's composition; Hollywood struggles to strike the right note of climate urgency; how sound becomes a character in the film, "The Sound of Silence."

The writer/director of the hit film talks about the making of the movie, and life as a woman director in Hollywood; "Bandersnatch" is not your average TV movie.

In the animated series from the people behind “Bojack Horseman” (Raphael Bob-Waksburg and Kate Purdy), there’s no horse, but there’s still an existential crisis; the play Mike Pesca on SNL's on- again, off-again casting of Shane Gillis; "American Mariachi" is a soundtrack for Mexican-American life.

The director and co-writer of the space epic talks about his new film, which stars Brad Pitt as an astronaut on a perilous mission; NBC announces plans for its streaming service, which will be called Peacock; Rhiannon Giddens talks about her affinity for country music.

The singer and songwriter has a new album and a new movie score coming up, plus a documentary about his time with The Band; Variety film critic Peter Debruge wraps up the Toronto International Film Festival.

Nick Offerman goes on tour; NYT TV critic deconstructs Donald Trump's TV character; Gay of Thrones and The Handmaid's Tale costumer go for Creative Arts Emmys; La Santa Cecilia plays in El Paso and "This Close" is a TV show created by and starring deaf people.