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The Frame
The Frame

John Ridley on 'American Crime'; 'Empire' viewing party; 'Blurred Lines' aftermath

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AMERICAN CRIME - "Episode One" - Following the home invasion murder of Matt Skokie - a war vet - and an assault on his wife Gwen, four suspects are brought into custody: Tony Gutiérrez, an impressionable teen who got in way over his head even under the watchful eye of his dedicated and hard-working father, Alonzo Gutiérrez. Hector Tontz, a young man who has lived life on the fringes of society and has made bad decisions just to survive. Carter Nix and Aubry Taylor, two incredibly lost souls whose addiction to drugs and to one another has become destructive and paralyzing. Though the suspects fit a profile, they and their situations are far more complicated than anyone would have initially believed...as is true for the victims themselves. As Russ and Barb Skokie - divorced and estranged - arrive to both bury their son Matt, and seek a measure of justice for his killing, they discover their son may have been far from an innocent bystander in his own murder. Told from the points of view of all those involved, this new drama examines preconceptions on faith, family, gender, race, class and other aspects of our social experience with an approach and perspectives historically underserved in media, on the series premiere of "American Crime," THURSDAY, MARCH 5 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Van Redin) TIMOTHY HUTTON, JOHN RIDLEY (DIRECTOR)
ABC/Van Redin
AMERICAN CRIME - "Episode One" - Following the home invasion murder of Matt Skokie - a war vet - and an assault on his wife Gwen, four suspects are brought into custody: Tony Gutiérrez, an impressionable teen who got in way over his head even under the watchful eye of his dedicated and hard-working father, Alonzo Gutiérrez. Hector Tontz, a young man who has lived life on the fringes of society and has made bad decisions just to survive. Carter Nix and Aubry Taylor, two incredibly lost souls whose addiction to drugs and to one another has become destructive and paralyzing. Though the suspects fit a profile, they and their situations are far more complicated than anyone would have initially believed...as is true for the victims themselves. As Russ and Barb Skokie - divorced and estranged - arrive to both bury their son Matt, and seek a measure of justice for his killing, they discover their son may have been far from an innocent bystander in his own murder. Told from the points of view of all those involved, this new drama examines preconceptions on faith, family, gender, race, class and other aspects of our social experience with an approach and perspectives historically underserved in media, on the series premiere of "American Crime," THURSDAY, MARCH 5 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Van Redin) TIMOTHY HUTTON, JOHN RIDLEY (DIRECTOR)

Writer/director John Ridley talks his edgy new TV series, “American Crime"; We crash a viewing party for the breakout TV hit, “Empire"; Musician and attorney Joe Escalante talks about the fallout from the “Blurred Lines” verdict.

John Ridley: 'Showrunners have to do better' at improving diversity
The Oscar-winning screenwriter talks about moving from film to television, the surprising origins of his new series, "American Crime," and making sure his crew is diverse.
Soundtrack keeps 'Empire' fans hooked all week long
"Empire" fans have another way of interacting with their favorite show: the soundtrack.
Musician-attorney Joe Escalante says the 'Blurred Lines' jury 'got it wrong'
The punk rock bassist, who also owns a record label, says the verdict means lawyers will now dictate how music should sound.
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