'Scandal' Premiere: Kerry Washington is a 'Gladiator in a Suit'

Last night was the premiere of Scandal, the new ABC program about a D.C. crisis expert based on Judy Smith (left), a real D.C. crisis consultant.

On the show, which was created by Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice), Kerry Washington plays the very tough head of a crisis firm that specializes in high-profile problems. In real life, Smith has worked with Michael Vick and Monica Lewinsky, among others. On the show, Washington’s Olivia Pope had to manage a decorated war hero with a big secret and a President (as in the President of the United States) trying to keep allegations of an affair under wraps.

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