TV Review-----SCANDAL

It's instantly addicting. That's the only way to describe the new ABC show SCANDAL. Kerry Washington plays Olivia Pope. Olivia is the owner of a Crisis Management Firm in Washington D.C. She and a team of lawyers take high profile cases based solely on Olivia's gut reaction to the clients. The first episode finds a highly decorated War Veteran accused of murdering a woman. But the real story, which I have a feeling is going to be the centerpiece of the show, has to deal with the President of the United States. Before starting her firm, Olivia worked in the White House and became special friends with the President. The President's Chief of Staff contacts Olivia and tells her that a young woman who works in the White House is about to go public with a story about having her own special relationship with the President. Tony Goldwyn plays the leader of the free world and he and Ms Washington have incredible chemistry together. As the layers of Olivia's relationship with the President unravel, the true crux of SCANDAL's drama comes to light. Olivia begins questioning her own gut as she begins believing that she may not be all that special to the President. Perhaps she was one of many instead of THE one. Kerry Washington is outstanding as Olivia. Ms Washington is carrying the weight of this show on her gorgeous shoulders and she makes every moment count. Some of her best moments are dialogue free. She's quite something. The supporting cast doesn't have a lot to do in this Pilot episode since it's aim is to make the audience completely invest in Olivia, but I'm sure in time they will all be given moments to shine. SCANDAL is slick television with some smarts to back it up. Creator Shonda Rhimes is responsible for GREYS ANATOMY and PRIVATE PRACTICE, both of which I watched for a few seasons and then just couldn't take it anymore. My hope is that with SCANDAL, Ms Rhimes keeps her creative juices flowing and doesn't rely on sex or ridiculous cliffhangers to build her audience. Fingers crossed tightly that SCANDAL's Pilot isn't a fluke. If it stays consistently great, this could be a major hit for ABC. If you missed it, find it On Demand. You won't be disappointed.