Thursday, December 5, 2024

Exclusive: Is “Scandal” Almost Over? 7th Season Renewal Would Be Just 16 Episodes Again

Share

Is “Scandal” almost over?

A couple of weeks ago, ABC revealed that the Shonda Rhimes hit was renewed along with “How to Get Away with Murder” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”

But I’m told that “Scandal” will return for a seventh season that’s much shorter than usual. There will be just 16 episodes, and then that’s probably it. This season– on now– is also just 16 because of Washington’s pregnancy last fall. The first 5 seasons were orders for 21 or 22.

A main reason would be Kerry Washington. She wants to get back to movies, and she should ASAP. As much as “Scandal” has done for her, Washington just had a hit movie playing Anita Hill on HBO called “Confirmation.” She received a Golden Globe nomination and high praise all around. Prior to “Scandal,” Washington starred in Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained.”

I hear that Washington will definitely do some kind of movie between seasons 6 and 7 of “Scandal.” But after that either the series will end or she’ll do shorter seasons to accommodate her film career. She should, too. Kerry just turned 40 and looks 30. She still has the potential for a breakout film career a la Halle Berry or even Viola Davis.

As for “Scandal”– we’ve seen Tony Goldwyn’s character as president, then his First Lady ran for the office. If the show went as long as “Grey’s Anatomy,” Kerry’s Olivia Pope might get a whack at the job. Of course, these days, we’ve learned, anyone really can be president!

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

Read more

In Other News