Shonda Rhimes isn't one to brag, but she couldn't help herself a day after ABC picked up her third created show, "Scandal," for a sixth seasons. All three shows that the ShondaLand founder has created - "Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice" and "Scandal" - have or will run for at least six seasons.
Rhimes tweeted on Friday, "I have now officially only created show that have gone six seasons." She then quoted boxing champion and civil rights activist Muhammad Ali who once said, "It's not bragging if you can back it up."
I have now officially only created shows that have gone six seasons. "It's not bragging if u can back it up" -- Muhammad Ali #shondaland
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) March 4, 2016
And who can contest her? The woman owns a whole night of television with ABC airing three Rhimes-produced shows on Thursdays, known as the "TGIT" lineup. Rhimes has become fearless in speaking out recently, starting while she promoted her book "The Year of Yes" last year. She admitted to "The Nightly Show" host Larry Wilmore that she has killed off a character because she didn't like the actor portraying him or her.
On Thursday, ABC renewed "Scandal" for a sixth season and Rhimes' first show, "Grey's Anatomy," for a 13th season, making it the longest-running scripted series on the network. The second series she created, "Private Practice," spun off Kate Walsh's character from "Grey's Anatomy" and ran for a total of six seasons.
This. https://t.co/A2tmWo7xgC — kerry washington (@kerrywashington) March 4, 2016
Not everything Rhimes has touched lived such a long life as the shows that she personally created. The first show she produced after "Grey's," "Off the Map," ran for only 13 episodes in 2011. Its creator, Jenna Bans, previewed her new show "The Family" last night on ABC.
ABC gave "How to Get Away with Murder," created by Peter Nowalk, a third season renewal. The show has received mixed reviews except for its leading lady, Viola Davis, who won Emmy for her role as Annalise Keating. She was the first African-American woman ever to win the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Next up from Shondaland is "The Catch," premiering later this month on ABC (taking over the 10 o'clock spot after "HTGAWM" wraps its second season). The show replaced its creator and showrunner Jennifer Schuur last August over "creative differences" and brought in a veteran of Rhimes shows, Allan Heinberg, who previously worked on "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal."
"The Catch" also retooled its cast, keeping its leading lady Mirielle Enos, but replacing Bethany Joy Lenz with Sonya Walger and Damon Dayoub with Peter Krause.
"The Catch" will premiere on Thursday, March 24 at 10 p.m.
