The Frame

We continue our series on how police are depicted on TV with the creators of “COPS,” the longest-running reality show in TV history. Creator John Langley tells us about the show’s genesis and why it continues to be so popular; the Latino Comics Expo is unofficially known as the “Latino Comic-Con"; Comedy Central says Larry Wilmore's show failed to gain traction with viewers.

From refugee athletes to individual profiles, Olympics mini-docs are a big part of the broadcast and have been since the 1970s. NBC Sports' Jimmy Roberts joins us from Rio where he's reporting on his 16th Olympics; Part 2 of our look inside the Sundance Directors Lab, where eight budding filmmakers are encouraged to take risks and seize the opportunity of a lifetime.

We visit the Sundance Director's Lab where Robert Redford and a group of industry pros mentor up and coming filmmakers. Variety's chief TV critic Maureen Ryan breaks down the CBS news coming out of the Television Critics Association press tour; Colburn Conservatory of Music graduates endure stressful mock auditions to prepare for the real thing.

Actress Taraji P. Henson opens up about the career path that led her to her Emmy-nominated role of Cookie Lyon on the hit Fox show, "Empire"; amid the bad reviews for "Suicide Squad," we look at the unsustainable — but enduring — Hollywood business model of taking big swings at expensive movies in hopes of finding a franchise.

In our #CopsOnTV series, writer-producer Cheo Hodari Coker reveals what he learned about the LAPD while producing the police drama, "Southland," and how that connected with his experiences as a black man; the bad news/good news of NBC's Olympic ecosystem: broadcast viewership is down, but online streaming is booming.

In the first of a continuing series of conversations, former "Law & Order: SVU" executive producer Neal Baer says studios and networks want police to be depicted as heroes; how soon will virtual reality become a big thing in entertainment?

Stuntwoman and "American Ninja Warrior" contestant Jessie Graff teaches host John Horn some tricks of her trade; the opening ceremony for the Summer Olympics has become a job for film directors; Aubrey Plaza's amateur basketball team, the Pistol Shrimps, has quite the following.

The comic actress' star-turn in "Ghostbusters" and another Emmy nod for "SNL" have her primed for bigger things; fans of the kids' show 'Doc McStuffins' are worried about the future of one of the few kids' shows with a black lead character; DanceSafe provides education and and even drug-testing at raves, but its hands are tied by a federal law.

Artist and animator Jorge Gutiérrez discusses the creative inspirations of the U.S.-Mexico border and the painting spree that led to his gallery show; HBO, Netflix and NBC face the press at the Television Critics Association; screenwriter, producer and former studio chief James Schamus makes his directorial debut with "Indignation."

Director Marc Osborne didn't want to make a straight-ahead adaptation of "The Little Prince," so he came up with a novel approach; "Equity" is the rare movie about Wall Street that stars and is made by women; Claire Boucher, aka Grimes, dissects her song, “Kill V. Maim.”

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.