Filed under: Television, News
Since launching her hit ABC dramas 'Grey's Anatomy and its spin-off 'Private Practice,' series creator Shonda Rhimes has decided to take her time with developing her next project.
But, now she's looking forward to uncovering a new type of television series inspired by the career of legendary public relations consultant Judy Smith, which is set to show the people who help popular figures get through scandals in the media unscathed.
Through her firm, Impact Strategies, Smith has aided big-name politicians like Bill Clinton, former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, and New York Governor David Paterson and also worked with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mike Vick in the midst of his dog fighting case.
But, the Washington-based PR guru, who was a former George W. Bush White House deputy press secretary, made headlines by allegedly leaking Caroline Kennedy's nanny and marital problems from inside Gov. Patterson's office. This ultimately led to Kennedy withdrawing her bid for Hillary Clinton's New York Senate seat, and inadvertently derailed Paterson's political career.
Still, Smith remains the first black woman to hold the deputy press secretary position at the White House.
Smith is set to be a producer for the project, which is slated for the 2011-2012 television season, with Rhimes writing the script for the pilot and executive producing through her Shondaland production company.
According to New York magazine, the as-yet-untitled series will revolve around the lives of one professional public relations figure and her dysfunctional staff. It has been rumored that the new show might be called 'In Crisis.'
Rhimes's third ABC show, a new medical drama, called 'Off the Map' will premiere in January. She is also developing and executive producing a comedic drama, 'Life After Marriage,' which centers on divorce and starting over.
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