'Scandal's Shonda Rhimes: 'I'd Love to Have Bill Clinton on the Show'
"Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes only allows a select few people into the world she has created on the hit series. Rhimes has said that she would "love" to have former president Bill Clinton on the show in a guest cameo, which would fit in perfectly with the show's themes and characters.
"That's not really our thing," Rhimes told E! News when asked about politicians making guest appearances on her series, "but I will say, 'Bill Clinton, if you're out there, we would love to have you … we would always love to have you.'"
"Scandal" centers on fictitious president Fitzgerald Grant and his mistress and advisor Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington. Their story is loosely based on the story of real life Washington "fixer" Judy Smith, who worked for President George H.W. Bush. Smith serves as a co-producer for the smash hit.
The show is preparing for its fourth season, and fans could not be more eager and excited to see where Rhimes takes them. One noticeable difference, though, will be the loss of former cast member Columbus Short, who decided to leave the show after domestic and judicial issues tarnished his reputation. It's likely that his character, who was last seen with a gun to his head, will be killed off in the season opener.
The show does not rely on guest stars for its publicity and audience. Fans of the series are already comfortable and enamored of the current cast, especially Washington, and call themselves "Gladiators" after a bit in the first episode of the series.
"There are always interesting politicians out there who would be interesting [to have on the show], but our show is a very heightened, very dark view of Washington," Rhimes added. "I don't think really Bill Clinton or any of those people belong in our Washington."
Clinton is known to be a big fan of the series, and it would be a thrill for audiences to see a real life scandal survivor on the series.