we can probably show you what is going on in baltimore that looks not that different. the show was created by my guest john ridley who worked in hollywood for more than two decades. a writer producer, and director who won an academy award in 2012 for "12 years a slave. " >> congratulations on american crime. i think which is this show that takes all these live wire social issues and sort of runs them through the conduit of this nontraditional crime drama. >> absolutely. it's not about prosecutors. it's not about police. it's about families. and their journey through the system. it is a bit odd looking at that bit of tape you showed from our episode that is going to show this week thursday to know that is actually happening right now. it was a pretty much a guiding principle for everyone on the show. it is a piece of fiction but we wanted to have an emotional