The Frame

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul are on a roll: they wrote song lyrics for "La La Land" and the music and lyrics for the Broadway hit, "Dear Evan Hansen"; more than 3,500 companies are debuting their futuristic products at the annual, massive technology trade show.

Actor and documentary filmmaker Fisher Stevens jumped at the chance to make a documentary about the iconic showbiz mother-and-daughter, Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher; Sorting through the Jan/Feb TV premieres and comebacks to watch for in 2017 with TV critic Whitney Friedlander.

"Hidden Figures" writer Allison Schroeder (who was just nominated for a Writer's Guild award) tells us why she was the right person to co-write the film “Hidden Figures”; In the film “A Monster Calls,” director J.A. Bayona talks about how families might view his dark and personal coming-of-age story; Elliott Smith’s landmark 1997 album, “Either/Or,” gets a 20th anniversary re-issue.

Clay Tarver is a writer and co-executive producer for HBO’s “Silicon Valley," but he recently reunited with his bandmates in the group Chavez to record their first new music in 20 years; there may be a more diverse roster of actor and actress nominees for the Academy Awards this year, but that doesn’t mean #OscarsSoWhite is a thing of the past, says April Reign, the writer and activist who coined the hashtag.

It's our last Frame episode of 2016! From Beyonce's "Lemonade" to Chance The Rapper's "Coloring Book," we look back at the year in music with MTV Executive Editor Alex Pappademas; Also, we revisit one of our favorite musician interviews of the year, soul singer/songwriter Aloe Blacc, who describes himself as an "artivist," someone who blends art with activism.

The singing voice of Debbie Reynolds echoes throughout the show today as we honor the actress who died yesterday; Los Angeles Times culture writer Carolina Miranda picks some of 2016's most impactful moments in culture; playwright Jon Robin Baitz challenged himself in 2016 to write a play responding to Donald Trump's candidacy and get it up before the election. He did that. Now what?

For our wrap up of the best in TV, Margaret Lyons of the New York Times talks with us about the most overrated, underrated and heavily debated shows of 2016; Among the most lauded performances on TV this year was Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark in the FX mini-series "The People v. O.J. Simpson." Paulson discusses how Clark had been scrutinized by the media and much of America during the trial.

Carrie Fisher imbued the role of Princess Leia with an assertiveness that set the tone for the future Star Wars heroines; Fisher was also the columnist of "Advice from the Dark Side" which ran in The Guardian; New York Times co-chief film critic Manohla Dargis joins John Horn to talk about some of the top film stories of the year.

The popular British singer-songwriter died from heart failure at the age of 53; Kristen Anderson-Lopez is working on a stage musical version of "Frozen," but for now she has another show on Broadway, "In Transit."

David Oyelowo is extremely selective about the roles he chooses to play, and also the kinds of parts he wants to avoid; the Presidential Inauguration Committee has gotten more nays than ayes from singers and bands.

The director and co-writer talks about making a movie that's more than just racing scenes; the Congressional Hispanic Caucus meets with Hollywood execs about representation; veterans turn to ancient Greek dramas to tell their own stories.

Mark Ruffalo wants to make movies that make a difference and make Marvel films too; "Honey Boy" director Alma Har'el on how she and Shia LaBeouf bonded; Nell Scovell confronts David Letterman; How "Moonface" was made; Writer Nell Scovell confronts her old boss, David Letterman.

After her longtime stint in Sonic Youth, followed by a two-person band called Body/Head, the singer and bassist has her first solo album, "No Home Record"; writer Nell Scovell mends fences (sort of) with David Letterman; Mati Diop's Senegalese film, "Atlantics."

The author's latest deep dive into pop culture is about his love for cinema; why did the Marciano Art Foundation suddenly shut its doors?; "The Red Thread" magic show.

The director wrote the script based on conversations with friends about marriage and divorce; Adam Driver talks about "Marriage Story," his fourth collaboration with Baumbach; Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz on her ongoing relationship with the L.A. Philharmonic.

Alma Har'el talks about making her narrative feature directing debut in the film that stars Shia LaBeouf in his first feature-length screenplay; an oral history of "Blade Runner."

The former first lady of the Philippines gave access to filmmaker Lauren Greenfield for a new documentary; why are same-sex love scenes being edited out of films on Delta Airlines?; the new podcast "Moonface" examines homosexuality and cultural barriers.

Ed Norton brings "Motherless Brooklyn" to theaters 20 years after he first had the idea; star Cynthia Erivo and director Kasi Lemons tell the story of telling the story of Harriet Tubman on screen; Should arts orgs partner with Saudi Arabia?; Josh Homme of Queens of the Ston

On his new double album, the mixmaster works with other prominent hip hop artists, but he also composed instrumentals for an orchestra; why isn't Martin Scorsese's "The Irishman" in more theaters?

Over more than a half-century, George Rodriguez has taken countless photos of celebrities, but also of social movements such as farmworker strikes and student protests; after a high-profile departure, what's next for the "Star Wars" franchise?; singer San Cha

Director Kasi Lemmons and actress Cynthia Erivo talk about bringing Harriet Tubman's story to the big screen; HBO's new streaming service will launch with a vast library; singer, songwriter and producer Ayoni.

Series producer Caroline Dries talks about the responsibility of telling an LGBTQ+ story through the show's heroine; what's at stake for the first batch of shows from Apple Plus?; Josh Homme returns to the desert.