Real ‘gladiator' on ‘Scandal'
Olivia Pope’s journey comes to an end on “Scandal,” but real-life Washington power players and others remain in need of a determined “gladiator” to rescue them from crises. Enter Judy Smith, who inspired the ABC drama and remains in the thick of politics and Hollywood.
Smith, a co-executive producer for “Scandal,” has a deal with Hallmark for a mystery movie and is a producer for a Fox drama pilot starring Katie Holmes as a disgraced FBI agent. The affable but discreet crisis manager and lawyer isn’t forthcoming about her clients, but the varied alumni are said to include Monica Lewinsky, Wesley Snipes and Walmart.
She’s familiar with Washington from the inside out: Smith served as deputy press secretary to President George H.W. Bush before founding her firm. She’s also been an occasional presence on TV, weighing in on issues for news shows.
Her personal life contrasts sharply with that of Olivia (Kerry Washington), who boasts a president among her lovers. But both Smith and her TV counterpart have been embraced as symbols of female African-American strength and professional success.
“It’s been an amazing journey, and I’m so grateful and excited about it . ... I think it’s really nice to end on a high note,” Smith said regarding the end of “Scandal.”
The “fixer” said the show changed the landscape of television.
The show opened doors and proved the point that a strong African-American woman, a woman of color, could lead a network show,” said Smith.
But what did Olivia Pope do that Smith wouldn’t?
“Oh, my gosh, where do you start? It could be going with the president. It could be moving bodies from a crime scene, which would cause me to lose my bar license. Or planning a murder. I could go on,” Smith said.
Another thing Smith said is not her in real life: Pope’s outfits.
“I don’t look that good every single day. I don’t go to work like that every single day,” said Smith.
I have no way of describing the finale. A season finale is geared to leave you— launching you into another season of something and leave some questions open. And the series finale is the end of a story. SHONDA RHIMES Show creator