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PEOPLE & ARTS Friday 20 april 2018
Real-life 'gladiator' salutes 'Scandal,' show she inspired

By LYNN ELBER symbols of female African-
AP Television Writer American strength and
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Olivia professional success. On
Pope's journey comes to an the eve of the "Scandal"
end Thursday on "Scandal," finale, Smith talked about
but real-life Washington the show's impact, what it
power players and others means to be a "fixer" and
remain in need of a deter- what she wants for Olivia.
mined "gladiator" to rescue ___
them from crises. Enter Judy The Associated Press: How
Smith, who inspired the does it feel seeing the se-
ABC drama and remains in ries, which you inspired
the thick of politics and Hol- Shonda Rhimes to create,
lywood. wrap up?
Smith, a co-executive pro- Smith: It's been an amazing
ducer for "Scandal," has journey, and I'm so grate-
a deal with Hallmark for ful and excited about it. ...
a mystery movie and is a I think it's really nice to end
producer for a Fox drama on a high note.
pilot starring Katie Holmes AP: You've got high-profile
as a disgraced FBI agent. clients but tend to remain
The affable but discreet behind the scenes. Do you
crisis manager and lawyer get recognized because of
isn't forthcoming about "Scandal"? In this Jan. 10, 2012 file photo, Kerry Washington, left, from the ABC series "Scandal," points to a
her Smith & Co. clients, Smith: One time I was in a questioner alongside the show's co-executive producer Judy Smith, a crisis management consul-
but the varied alumni are cab and the driver said, tant, at the Disney ABC Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena, Calif.
said to include Monica Le- "How you doing? I really Associated Press
winsky, Wesley Snipes and think about you and what
Walmart. your father does, running attorney, among others. ple to get the impression different from even two or
She's familiar with Wash- the secret (CIA) operation." What does that term mean that there's a problem three years ago.
ington from the inside out: I said, "So you know it's a to you? and somehow we magi- AP: What's surprised you
Smith served as deputy TV show, don't you?" I ex- Smith: We provide strategic cally make it go away. Is- about "Scandal"?
press secretary to President plained that to him and he advice when a company sues often have a level of Smith: That it helped to
George H.W. Bush before said, "All right, since you're or individual comes to us complexity that need to be change the landscape of
founding her firm. She's also the fixer, while I have you with a problem. ... The goal worked through. television.
been an occasional pres- in the cab I've got a few is to help navigate through AP: How different is Wash- I had a meeting with a net-
ence on TV, weighing in on issues that you could help it, and to protect the orga- ington now? work executive, and one of
issues for news shows. me out with." So that was nization's brand, reputation Smith: It's not just Wash- the things that he did was
Her personal life contrasts the rest of the cab ride, and valuation in the pro- ington. I think the entire say "thank you," because
sharply with that of Olivia sorting out problems, which cess. And I think that peo- country has changed in the show opened doors
(Kerry Washington), who I didn't mind. ple have different names so many ways. I think the and proved the point that
boasts a president among AP: The word "fixer" also for that. political landscape is dif- a strong African-American
her lovers. But both Smith has been used to describe AP: Does 'fixer' have a neg- ferent. I think the cultural woman, a woman of col-
and her TV counterpart Michael Cohen, President ative connotation? landscape has changed or, could lead a network
have been embraced as Donald Trump's longtime Smith: I don't want peo- a lot. ... Things are just very show.q

Stuntman pinned under SUV

driven by Sizemore settles lawsuit

By ANDREW DALTON 2016 while filming the Para- action, Mr. Sizemore im-
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A mount-produced USA Net- provised at the end of the
stuntman who was pinned work show "Shooter" when scene and drove away in
beneath an SUV driven he pinned and dragged his car," said a Paramount
by Tom Sizemore on a TV de Castro. investigative report given
production has settled a De Castro had to be air- to the workplace safety
lawsuit with the actor and lifted from the set and left agency Cal/OSHA. "Mr.
Paramount Pictures. with broken bones and Sizemore's decision to drive
Court papers show that a other serious injuries that he was not in the script, and
notice of settlement was said have hurt his ability to not expected to occur."
filed March 29, and the work. The agency issued no ci- In this Aug. 11, 2014 file photo, actor Tom Sizemore arrives at the
sides are scheduled to ap- State records obtained tations over the accident premiere of "The Expendables 3" in Los Angeles.
pear in court in July to final- by The Associated Press after determining it didn't Associated Press
ize it. No terms of the deal showed that Sizemore, 56, have jurisdiction because
were disclosed. was only supposed to be the stuntman was an inde- Castro, and Lawrence B. struggles have plagued his
De Castro alleged Size- sitting in the unmoving SUV pendent contractor, not a Kendall, attorney for the career and derailed come-
more was intoxicated at for the scene. studio employee. defendants, were not im- back attempts, was fired
a remote desert airport "When, after rehearsals, the Messages left for Lawrence mediately returned. from the show before the
north of Los Angeles in July scenes were filmed for live Grassini, attorney for de Sizemore, whose addiction suit was filed.q