The Frame

Alison Bechdel says she thought the idea of having her graphic novel memoir turned into a musical was "insane"; composer John Adams says his landmark opera, "Nixon in China," is as timely as ever; NBC has invested $500 million in Snapchat with big plans for using the social media platform.

Bruna Papandrea has produced hit films such as "Wild" and "Gone Girl," and now she's part of the team behind HBO's "Big Little Lies"; Netflix has a new reality competition series that's being produced for six global markets simultaneously.

C-SPAN anchor Steve Scully (aka "the most patient man on television") talks with The Frame about C-SPAN's origin story, its mission and the role it fills in today's media landscape; Then, actress Jane Kaczmarek explains why she's spending her post "Malcolm In the Middle" years doing theater like Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey Into Night."

When Asghar Farhadi won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, he did not pick up his statue in person. But he was in L.A. last year following our election and he spoke with us about his movie, "The Salesman," and then-President elect Trump; R&B producer and musician Raphael Saadiq has branched out to scoring movies and TV shows.

Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black created the ABC miniseries, "When We Rise," to bring the history of the gay rights movement into America's living rooms in the hopes of bridging a divided nation and inspiring activism in a new generation; The Oscars are finally over. What must Hollywood do to become more inclusive?

On this year's Frame Oscar preview, get to know some nominees ahead of the big night. Among the guests are the writer/directors of "La La Land" and "Moonlight," actors Ruth Negga, Emma Stone, Dev Patel, and Andrew Garfield; Documentary filmmakers Ava Duvernay and Ezra Edelman; the screenwriters for "Hidden Figures" and "The Lobster," and songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda. Plus, John Horn and his co-host in The Awards Show Show podcast, Kyle Buchanan, make predictions.

Comedian and art collector Cheech Marin walks the galleries of Frank Romero's retrospective with the artist himself; "Hacksaw Ridge" sound mixer Kevin O'Connell has 21 Oscar nominations but no win ... yet; political and topical ads are likely during the Academy Awards. Who's advertising and how are they hoping to benefit?

Melanie Lynskey felt a deep connection with her character in the Sundance hit, "I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore"; a federal judge issues an injunction against a law that prevented websites such as IMDb from publishing the birthdate of actors.

Jordan Peele (of "Key & Peele" fame) makes his film directing debut with the horror movie, “Get Out," which takes on racism in the creepiest fashion; John Horn debates how to improve the Academy Awards broadcast with his "Awards Show Show" podcast co-host, Kyle Buchanan, and TV mavens Alex Jung and Jen Chaney.

The Oscar-nominated movie "Lion" is based on the memoir of Saroo Brierly, whose unbelievable life story was turned into a two-hour film by screenwriter Luke Davies; an annual report on diversity in Hollywood makes a strong case that on-camera diversity is directly linked to box office and ratings success; the WGA honored the screenwriters of "Moonlight" and "Arrival."

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.