PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: PALEYFEST: FALL TV PREVIEW PARTIES 2012: ABC: SCANDAL {LA} {PUBLIC SHORT VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media’s Fall Preview series. Held at the Paley Center in Los Angeles, this evening celebrates ABC's fall line-up, focusing on the show "Scandal," the drama/political thriller about the Pope & Associates crisis management firm in Washington D.C.
Debra Birnbaum (editor-in-chief, TV Guide Magazine) moderates the following panelists: executive producer/creator Shonda Rhimes; executive producer Betsy Beers; and cast members Kerry Washington (Olivia Pope), Tony Goldwyn (President Fitzgerald Grant), Bellamy Young (Mellie Grant), Guillermo Diaz (Huck), Katie Lowes (Quinn Perkins), Columbus Short (Harrison Wright), Darby Stanchfield (Abby Whelan), and Jeff Perry (Cyrus Beene),
The panelists touch on topics which include: the cast's reaction to the revelation about Quinn's true identity; passionate fans' theories about her backstory; the show's broad appeal; how the nature of crisis management is echoed in the story's rapid pace and dialogue; Huck's loyalty to Olivia; the "permanent" relationship between Fitz and Olivia and the significant obstacles in their way; potential romances for Olivia; the "epic courtroom scene" between adversaries Olivia and David; Rhimes' determination to make wronged but manipulative First Lady Mellie into a three-dimensional character; Grant's stressful role as "the decider"; Mellie's pregnancy and speculation about the paternity; the cast's surprise upon receiving the frequently-shocking scripts; inspiration from seemingly-outlandish real-life political news stories; the help and advice of real-life crisis manager and co-executive producer Judy Smith; the departure of Stephen Finch, played by Henry Ian Cusick; future plans for love interests, plot twists and a flashback episode; the import of the show's guests stars and minor characters; and the skill of casting director Linda Lowy.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics among others: why fan feedback never affects Rhimes' storylines; the importance of the Twitter community in expanding the show's popularity and developing a cult following; Rhimes' feelings on those who doubt the growing power of women in Hollywood; the season one DVD and its special features; and the laborious balancing act between each episode being a serialized story as well as a procedural case.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: September 11, 2012 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:43:49
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 108380
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Debra Birnbaum … Moderator
- Bellamy Young … Panelist
- Jeff Perry … Panelist
- Tony Goldwyn … Panelist
- Kerry Washington … Panelist
- Katie Lowes … Panelist
- Columbus Short … Panelist
- Darby Stanchfield … Panelist
- Guillermo Diaz … Panelist
- Betsy Beers … Panelist
- Shonda Rhimes … Panelist
- Henry Ian Cusick
- Linda Lowy
- Judy Smith