Black Actors Are Ruling TV Pilot Season
Black actors are in demand — well, they’re starring in a string of television pilots — and I will praise the Lord for all of it.
"I don't judge her at all. I don't judge her a bit. I love her to death." — actor Bellamy Young on Mellie Grant, the formidable First Lady she plays on Scandal. Click here for more of this awesome interview.
Scandal: Threats to Kill POTUS and Your Olivia Pope Moment of the Week
Well, Olivia Pope and her band of merrymakers returned to us last night, and as usual, the episode was twisty-turny, complicated and fast-paced. Let's do a quick review, shall we?
Viola Davis and Shonda Rhimes Plotting How to Get Away With Murder
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--qJ4U8mtk--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/bq8cwiwvtno2kg0sn4ti.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--9fyrSC2_--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/bq8cwiwvtno2kg0sn4ti.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--t-TZdUmX--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/bq8cwiwvtno2kg0sn4ti.jpg, (large)])
Although she's got Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice and Scandal under her belt, Shonda Rhimes has yet another TV show up her sleeve, and this one has Viola Davis attached. The premise sounds deliciously wicked.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--KzgQNzt7--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/199x0wmxw24zagif.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--2dDpb2E9--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/199x0wmxw24zagif.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--9amJY-xv--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/199x0wmxw24zagif.jpg, (large)])
The Wrap reports that ABC has ordered a pilot of a show called How To Get Away With Murder from Shonda Rhimes's production company, Shondaland. The pilot, written by Peter Noah (who wrote for The West Wing and penned the episode of Scandal with the awesome sexism speech) Peter Nowalk* is "a law-school legal thriller…
Hey, Hollywood, Where My Black Girls At?
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--tTv_4hMX--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/199s929f78jegjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--bj5aAjIk--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/199s929f78jegjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--CobwMXVC--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/199s929f78jegjpg.jpg, (large)])
It was arguably a banner year for black films, with major films like 12 Years a Slave, The Butler, Best Man Holiday, Black Nativity and Kevin Hart's Let Me Explain successfully gracing the box office. But there was something missing from this acclaimed mix — black women.
Ten OMFG RUFK Moments From the Scandal Winter Finale
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--5BQpmAwt--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/199anfd64zc5ijpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--gNQEUyH1--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/199anfd64zc5ijpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--On--CvOH--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/199anfd64zc5ijpg.jpg, (large)])
Basically, the entire hour was oh my god are you fucking kidding me. But let's just look at a few key scenes.
Scandal: Sex, Lies and Duct Tape (and a Moment With Olivia Pope)
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--m5CSTl0z--/c_fill,g_center,h_358,w_636/198kw41mt055kjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--26DgH_kH--/c_fill,g_center,h_180,w_320/198kw41mt055kjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--wU8EcUOx--/c_fill,g_center,h_77,w_137/198kw41mt055kjpg.jpg, (large)])
This season it's been really hard to pull out an Olivia Pope Moment of the Week. And this week it's even harder to justify an Olivia Pope Moment of the Week because Sally Langston and James Novak stole the show.
Scandal: Ill-Conceived Hookups and Your Olivia Pope Moment of the Week
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--bCh_J4DP--/c_fill,g_center,h_358,w_636/1975hpxnr64a5jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--nRyT4naK--/c_fill,g_center,h_180,w_320/1975hpxnr64a5jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--j7V-fiRu--/c_fill,g_center,h_77,w_137/1975hpxnr64a5jpg.jpg, (large)])
As usual, the last three minutes of this episode were jaw-dropping, tense and insane. But so were the first three minutes.
Shonda Rhimes Hopes Her Kids Won't Use Her Upcoming Memoir In Therapy
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--jHZi_hwp--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/196yqbjdlyxhejpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--_60RO6BP--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/196yqbjdlyxhejpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--svA3tdKk--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/196yqbjdlyxhejpg.jpg, (large)])
Shonda Rhimes, the genius behind such pulpy network hits like Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, and Scandal, is now making the leap from the small screen to the written page. Today, news broke that Rhimes inked a deal to write her memoir with Simon & Schuster.
Making Sense of the Rape Scene on Scandal
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--JXLxuoQD--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/196g086gznta0jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--0s_IHObQ--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/196g086gznta0jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--24uLHYei--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/196g086gznta0jpg.jpg, (large)])
Need we say SPOILER ALERT? There, we said it.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--q08YZ-p3--/c_fill,g_center,h_358,w_636/195qb4zl3fklajpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--klywUUQi--/c_fill,g_center,h_180,w_320/195qb4zl3fklajpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--T4-EFChV--/c_fill,g_center,h_77,w_137/195qb4zl3fklajpg.jpg, (large)])
TV Execs Said Meredith Grey's Casual Sex Was Unlikable and Unrealistic
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--qJFPiM7E--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/195mtvqc8kqe3jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--HusL8zhX--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/195mtvqc8kqe3jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--a1ujHSg6--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/195mtvqc8kqe3jpg.jpg, (large)])
In a fantastic interview with NPR's Renee Montagne, Shonda Rhimes discussed what's to come on Scandal — but also went back to the beginning of her television legacy. Rhimes said she thinks female characters on television don't have to be likable anymore and reveals that when Grey's Anatomy first started, ABC television …
Scandal: Presidential Balls and Your Olivia Pope Moment of the Week
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--kEikW-Rr--/c_fill,g_center,h_358,w_636/192vpmyulkt2mjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--bA6zOiDe--/c_fill,g_center,h_180,w_320/192vpmyulkt2mjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--a2ma7pby--/c_fill,g_center,h_77,w_137/192vpmyulkt2mjpg.jpg, (large)])
Once again this week, although Olivia Pope had a great moment or two, she got straight up out-fierced by some of the other folks on Scandal.
A Ronan Farrow Revelation Prompts A Lot of Wishing About Parentage
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--785LpMHa--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/191zyap0wm54bjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--WNe5pVwg--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/191zyap0wm54bjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--prE8kC3S--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/191zyap0wm54bjpg.jpg, (large)])
In today's Tweet Beat, the definite son of Mia Farrow and the possible son of who knows who sparked a lot of conversation about the origins of a human. Plus, Shonda Rhimes and Mindy Kaling loved each other and Britney Spears made the government shutdown into lemonade.
Miley Cyrus Fans Want To Rip Lorde's Brains Out For Winning at iTunes
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--4Rr6uug3--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/190qq7s7qezvujpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--mH7W7ENI--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/190qq7s7qezvujpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--qcKd889g--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/190qq7s7qezvujpg.jpg, (large)])
Rabid Miley Cyrus fans are lashing out at 16-year-old chanteuse Lorde, who is so uppity that she did not commit hara-kiri immediately after her "Royals" topped Miley as #1 on the iTunes chart. They're slamming her with Dorothy Parker-esque gems like "Your eyes are too far apart" and "kill yourself you crusty old hag." Lorde …
Aziz Ansari Has Some Excellent Casting Suggestions for Shonda Rhimes
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--O0jLesgt--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18xqhdsqh582ujpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--ChU4ToWg--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18xqhdsqh582ujpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--tYRqokde--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18xqhdsqh582ujpg.jpg, (large)])
In today's Tweet Beat, Jessie J is honest about how bad her bad flight really was, Liam Payne uses some language best reserved for those without delicate ears, and Aziz Ansari and Shonda Rhimes need to schedule a working lunch STAT.
Sandra Oh Bails On Grey's Anatomy, Leaving Us With (Ugh) Meredith
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--z38GL8T9--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18wzhltdmyduzjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--19OwsVX4--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18wzhltdmyduzjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Ukar_WWR--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18wzhltdmyduzjpg.jpg, (large)])
Are you still watching Grey's Anatomy? If so, sorry, brah — Sandra Oh is bailing after 10 seasons as lovable control freak Dr. Cristina Yang. Bailing GRACEFULLY. Ahem, Katherine Heigl. Says Oh:
New Shonda Rhimes Show Revolves Around Trucker-Turned-Lawyer
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--VtOwHbET--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18ury2jh2g45wjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--SGQaHyDf--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18ury2jh2g45wjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--ElGwm3eo--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18ury2jh2g45wjpg.jpg, (large)])
Wow: ABC is developing yet another awesome-sounding TV show from Grey's Anatomy and Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes. It's based on the true story of Wynona Ward, founder of Have Justice Will Travel, a trucker who became a lawyer.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--xLB6pHNf--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18snteoykyibnjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--z1dNvp5q--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18snteoykyibnjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--wPgWlrAS--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18snteoykyibnjpg.jpg, (large)])