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.

New Zealand filmmaker Taiki Waititi went from HBO's "Flight of the Concords" to the next "Thor" but along the way he made the sweet indie comedy "Hunt for The Wilderpeople;" Musician Mike Hadreas aka Perfume Genius opens up about being bullied and embracing his queer identity; Big name musicians take on Youtube and the DMCA

A.D. Miles says "The Tonight Show" will take its audience wherever — on the air or online; the copyright infringement suit against Robert Plant and Jimmy Page over "Stairway to Heaven" goes to the jury; Stephen Lieberman is one of the leading production designers on the electronic music circuit.

Ayad Akhtar discusses his Pulitzer Prize-winning play, "Disgraced," and how he explores issues of Muslim identity in post-9/11 America; Reggae icon Burning Spear and his wife and manager Sonia Rodney prepare for his final appearance in California.

Chilean musician Alex Anwandter has branched out to filmmaking to extend his message of tolerance for the LGBT community; Long Beach Opera makes another foray into experimentation with a work stripped from the headlines; Ticketmaster customers who were part of a class action suit are learning how they will benefit.

As CEO of The Jim Henson Company, she's focused on new technologies and improving the gender, racial and ethnic diversity of the people behind the characters.

Comedian, podcaster and actor Chris Gethard has a talk show on the Fusion cable network after years on public access TV. He also hosts the podcast, "Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People." He sits down with The Frame for an in-depth conversation about failure, success, depression and comedy.

Shanghai Disney is the company's $5.5 billion entrance into mainland China with a resort that includes hotels and shopping areas in addition to the 123-acre park; "Tickled" is a documentary about the odd world of competitive endurance tickling.

Derek DelGaudio uses "magic, moments of wonder and mystery" in his hit stage show, “In & Of Itself"; the opera “Anatomy Theater" explores the nature of evil on a visceral level; a new initiative from the Berklee College of Music seeks to resolve compensation issues between musicians, streaming services and record labels.

Director Thomas Kail and production designer David Korins helped bring the Broadway hit “Hamilton” to life, but in 2016 they also collaborated on the production of “Grease: Live!” — the TV event for Fox; New York Magazine theater critic Jesse Green says diversity was the big winner at this year's Tony awards.

Musician Joe Henry produced what turned out to be the final album by the New Orleans legend, who died last Fall; will a crackdown by New York's attorney general help rein in the re-sale market for concert and stage tickets?; Muhammad Ali even sang about being "The Greatest."

Artist Rafa Esparza uses traditional handmade adobe bricks in his installations and to bond with his father; Led Zeppelin goes to trial for "Stairway to Heaven" copyright case; meet MØ, a Danish pop singer with the most-played song on Spotify.

Director James Wan took a detour with "Furious 7," but he's back to the horror genre in "The Conjuring 2"; "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" begins previews in London; Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw is one of the featured composers at the Ojai Music Festival.