'Scandal' Reduced To 18 Episodes

Brace yourselves ESSENCE Gladiators, Scandal’s season is being reduced by four episodes. ABC says it will broadcast 18 instead of 22 episodes this season. The network didn’t give an exact reason behind the reduction but reports cite Kerry Washington’s pregnancy as the cause. The shortened schedule will wrap production early for the pregnant star.

We’ve been speculating what Washington’s pregnancy meant for the show. We guess it’s safe to say they’ll be no surprise love child for Olivia Pope. Then again, you never know what Shonda Rhimes may have up her sleeve.