Scandal (ABC)
Premieres: Thursday, April 5 at 10/9c
If Crossroads isn't sufficient proof that Shonda Rhimes can produce non-medical projects, then this ought to do the trick. Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) is a professional "fixer" and ex-White House staffer who starts her own crisis management firm. (The character is based on real-life consultant Judy Smith, who has handled aspects of the Iran Contra investigation, the Los Angeles riots and the Monica Lewinsky scandal.) The cast includes Tony Goldwyn (as the president), Henry Ian Cusick, Columbus Short, Guillermo Diaz, Darby Stanchfield and The West Wing's Josh Malina, who should have no problem with the show's rapid-fire dialogue.