Scandal season 5 explained

Season Number:	5
Bgcolour:	5d2b25
Num Episodes:	21
Network:	ABC
Prev Season:	Season 4
Next Season:	Season 6
Episode List:	List of Scandal episodes

The fifth season of the American television drama series Scandal was ordered on May 7, 2015, by ABC,^[1] and began airing on September 24, 2015, in the United States on ABC. The season was produced by ABC Studios, in association with ShondaLand Production Company; the showrunner being Shonda Rhimes.

The season continues the story of Olivia Pope's crisis management firm, Olivia Pope & Associates, and its staff, as well as staff at the White House in Washington, D.C. Season five has eleven series regulars, all returning from the previous season, out of which six are part of the original cast of eight regulars from the first season and three new regulars were added. The season will continue to air in the Thursday 9:00 pm timeslot, the same as the previous season as it was moved to make room for ShondaLand Production Company's new TV series, How to Get Away with Murder.

On March 3, 2016, ABC announced that Scandal was renewed for a sixth season.^[2]

Overview

The series focuses on Olivia Pope and her crisis management firm, Olivia Pope & Associates, and its staff, as well as staff at the White House in Washington D.C. as political scandals occur and they must try to deal with them.

Cast and characters

Main

• • Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope Scott Foley as Jacob "Jake" Ballard
    • Darby Stanchfield as Abigail "Abby" Whelan Katie Lowes as Quinn Perkins Guillermo Diaz as Diego "Huck" Muñoz
  • Jeff Perry as Cyrus Beene Joshua Malina as Attorney General David Rosen
• Bellamy Young as Senator Melody "Mellie" Grant
• Portia de Rossi as VP's Chief of Staff Elizabeth North
• Joe Morton as Rowan "Eli" Pope
• Cornelius Smith Jr. as Marcus Walker
• Tony Goldwyn as President Fitzgerald "Fitz" Thomas Grant III

Recurring

• Artemis Pebdani as Vice President Susan Ross
• Kate Burton as Sally Langston, former vice president
• George Newbern as Charlie
• Ricardo Chavira as Governor Francisco Vargas of Pennsylvania
• Mía Maestro as Elise Martin
• Gregg Henry as Hollis Doyle
• Norm Lewis as Senate Majority Leader Edison Davis
• Joelle Carter as Vanessa Moss
• Erica Shaffer as News Reporter
• Mackenzie Astin as Noah Baker
• John Prosky as Senator Gibson
• Rose Abdoo as Senator Linda Moskowitz
• Romy Rosemont as Patty Snell
• Paul Adelstein as Leo Bergen
• Brian Letscher as Tom Larsen
• Matthew Del Negro as Michael Ambruso
• Annabeth Gish as Lillian Forrester
• Danny Pino as Alejandro "Alex" Vargas

Guest stars

• Adam J. Yeend as Danny Mendoza
• Dearbhla Molloy as Queen Isabel
• Adam Fergus as Prince Richard
• Hilty Bowen as Princess Emily
• Josh Brener as Gavin Price
• Julie Claire as Francesca Hunter
• William Russ as Frank Holland
• Denise Crosby as Janet Holland
• Brian White as Franklin Russell
• Jon Tenney as Andrew Nichols

Production

Development

Scandal was renewed for a fifth season on May 7, 2015, by ABC. The series will continue to air at Thursdays in the timeslot 9:00 p.m. E.T. like the previous season, as it was moved to the timeslot to make room for ShondaLand Production Company's new TV series, How to Get Away with Murder. Production began on May 21, 2015, when Rhimes announced on Twitter that the writers were in full swing mapping the fifth season.^[3]

The remaining fall schedule for ABC was announced on November 16, 2015, where it was announced that Scandal would air nine episodes in the fall with the fall finale to air on November 19, 2015, just like the rest of ABC's primetime lineup "TGIT" Grey's Anatomy and How To Get Away with Murder, which was the same last year. The remaining 12 episodes will air after the winter break, beginning on February 11, 2016,^[4] as a result of ABC airing the television miniseries Madoff over two nights on February 3–4, 2016 in the same time-slot as Scandal and Grey's Anatomy.^[5] The show was renewed by ABC for a sixth season on March 3, 2016.

Writing

Shonda Rhimes said in an interview that the fifth season will begin only a few days after the events in the fourth-season finale. She stated that the fifth season will see Olivia and Fitz the only people standing in a single piece, as she said "The world had been fairly blown apart for everybody except Olivia and Fitz. Everybody else was in a fairly blown apart place ... We pick up right there in that environment and we see what happens next." Rhimes continued talking about Cyrus and Mellie and their situation of not being in the White House anymore.^[6]

Rhimes also confirmed that "the reconstitution" of Team OPA would happen in the fifth season, as Rhimes revealed in an interview with TVLine, as she explained that the Gladiator conceit was sidelined a bit in the fourth season to instead "healing" Olivia. She noted that "a lot of times it was just Huck and Quinn gladiating by themselves. And that wasn’t the same dynamic."^[7]

Filming

Scouting began in the beginning of July.^[8] The table read for the first episode was announced to occur on July 14, 2015, by Kerry Washington.^[9] The title of the season premiere, "Heavy is the Head" was revealed on August 8, 2015, by its director Tom Verica on Twitter.^[10] Filming for the season began on July 16, 2015.^[11]

Several actors working on ShondaLand-produced shows directed an episode for the fifth season. Tony Goldwyn from Scandal directed the second and 17th episodes, making it the fourth and fifth episodes he has directed on the show. Chandra Wilson, who plays Dr. Miranda Bailey on Grey's Anatomy, directed her first Scandal episode, which was the sixth episode "Get Out of Jail, Free". Scott Foley from Scandal also directed his first Scandal episode, the 16th named "The Miseducation of Susan Ross". Foley's director-debut was announced on Twitter by Foley himself and executive producer Tom Verica.^[12]

Casting

The fifth season had twelve roles receiving star billing, with eleven of them returning from the previous season, eight of which part of the original cast from the first season, and three new cast members being added. Kerry Washington continued to play her role as protagonist of the series, Olivia Pope, a former White House Director of Communications with her own crisis management firm. Darby Stanchfield played Abby Whelan, the White House Press Secretary, Katie Lowes portrayed Quinn Perkins, and Guillermo Diaz portrayed Huck, the troubled tech guy who works for Olivia. Cornelius Smith Jr. continued his role as activist Marcus Walker. after being upgraded to series regular. Jeff Perry continued to portray Cyrus Beene, chief of staff at the White House who was fired by Fitz but later rehired. Portia de Rossi played Elizabeth North, the new chief of staff at the White House, and later the chief of staff for the vice president. Joshua Malina played the role of David Rosen, former U.S. Attorney, now Attorney General. Bellamy Young continued to act as First Lady/Senator Melody "Mellie" Grant, who was kicked out of the White House by Fitz, and later joined the presidential campaign for president. Tony Goldwyn continued to portray President Fitzgerald "Fitz" Thomas Grant III. Scott Foley portrayed Jake Ballard a former B613 agent and later the head of the NSA.

On May 14, 2015, after the fourth-season finale, it was announced that Portia de Rossi had been promoted to a series regular for the fifth season.^[13] TVLine reported in late April that a new gladiator would be added to Olivia Pope & Associates, and the person would be a guest star.^[14] It was also announced on July 7, 2015, that Cornelius Smith Jr., who had a guest role in season four playing activist Marcus Walker, will be returning as a series regular for the fifth season, but will not appear until later in the fall.^[15] On August 24, 2015, it was announced that actress Mia Maestro would be recurring during the fifth season, but the specifics of her role were not revealed.^[16] Julie Claire was announced on September 1, 2015, to have joined the cast in a guest role.^[17]

It was announced on February 4, 2016, that Ricardo Chavira would join the show in a recurring role, and would first appear in the eleventh episode.^[18] Annabeth Gish was announced on February 8, 2016, to have been cast in a recurring role.^[19] The Hollywood Reporter announced on February 18, 2016, that Joe Morton who plays Rowan "Eli" Pope had been promoted to a series regular, and was credited as a regular cast member for the first time in the twelfth episode.^[20]

Episodes

See also: List of Scandal episodes.

Reception

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports a 95% approval rating with an average rating of 7.80/10 based on 20 reviews. The website's consensus reads, "Increased pressure on a key couple brings heightened stakes and more exciting twists to Scandals action-packed, consistently gripping fifth season.^[21]

Live + SD Ratings

No. in series	No. in season	Episode	Air date	Time slot (EST)	Rating/Share (18–49)	Viewers (m)	18–49 Rank	Viewership rank	Drama rank
70	1	"Heavy is the Head"		Thursdays 9:00 p.m.	3.3/10	10.25	8^[22]	16	2
71	2	"Yes"		2.8/9	9.12	10^[23]	21	2
72	3	"Paris is Burning"		2.6/8	8.76	10^[24]	22	2
73	4	"Dog-Whistle Politics"		2.4/7	8.06	11^[25]	21	2
74	5	"You Got Served"		2.5/8	8.28	11^[26]	23	2
75	6	"Get Out of Jail, Free"		2.3/7	7.80	14^[27]	30^[28]	2
76	7	"Even the Devil Deserves a Second Chance"		2.2/7	8.03	13^[29]	25	4
77	8	"Rasputin"		2.2/7	7.70	14^[30]	28^[31]	6
78	9	"Baby, It's Cold Outside"		2.4/8	8.13	11^[32]	23	3
79	10	"It's Hard Out Here for a General"		2.1/7	6.96	9^[33]	28^[34]	4
80	11	"The Candidate"		1.8/5	6.09	18^[35]	33^[36]	5
81	12	"Wild Card"		1.7/5	5.85	22^[37]	37^[38]	6
82	13	"The Fish Rots from the Head"		1.7/6	5.97	15^[39]	28^[40]	3
83	14	"I See You"		1.6/5	6.31	23^[41]		5
84	15	"Pencil's Down"		1.6/5	6.15	20^[42]		5
85	16	"The Miseducation of Susan Ross"		1.7/6	6.44	13^[43]	25	4
86	17	"Thwack!"		1.7/5	5.88	15^[44]		5
87	18	"Till Death Do Us Part"		1.5/5	6.00	16^[45]		8
88	19	"Buckle Up"		1.6/5	6.25	17^[46]		6
89	20	"Trump Card"		1.5/5	6.06	21^[47]		8
90	21	"That's My Girl"		1.8/6	6.65	10^[48]		4

Live + 7 Day (DVR) ratings

No. in series	No. in season	Episode	Air date	Time slot (EST)	18–49 rating increase	Viewers (millions) increase	Total 18-49	Total viewers (millions)	Ref
70	1	"Heavy is the Head"		Thursdays 9:00 p.m.	1.8	4.49	5.1	14.73	^[49]
71	2	"Yes"		1.9	4.52	4.7	13.63	^[50]
72	3	"Paris is Burning"		1.6	3.90	4.2	12.66	^[51]
73	4	"Dog-Whistle Politics"		1.7	4.16	4.1	12.22	^[52]
75	5	"You Got Served"		1.4	3.66	3.9	11.95	^[53]
75	6	"Get Out of Jail, Free"		1.4	3.53	3.7	11.33	^[54]
76	7	"Even the Devil Deserves a Second Chance"		1.7	3.99	3.9	12.02	^[55]
77	8	"Rasputin"		1.6	3.88	3.8	11.58	^[56]
78	9	"Baby, It's Cold Outside"		1.5	3.78	3.9	11.91	^[57]
79	10	"It's Hard Out Here for a General"		1.5	3.73	3.6	10.68	^[58]
80	11	"The Candidate"		1.4	3.61	3.2	9.70	^[59]
81	12	"Wild Card"		1.3	3.40	3.0	9.23	^[60]
82	13	"The Fish Rots from the Head"		1.5	3.66	3.2	9.65	^[61]
83	14	"I See You"		1.4	3.42	3.0	9.73	^[62]
84	15	"Pencil's Down"		1.3	3.32	2.9	9.46	^[63]
85	16	"The Miseducation of Susan Ross"		1.3	3.44	3.0	9.72	^[64]
86	17	"Thwack!"		1.3	3.51	3.0	9.39	^[65]
87	18	"Till Death Do Us Part"		1.3	3.28	2.8	9.27	^[66]
88	19	"Buckle Up"		1.3	3.19	2.9	9.45	^[67]
89	20	"Trump Card"
90	21	"That's My Girl"

Awards and nominations

Award	Category	Nominee	Result
People's Choice Award	Favorite Network TV Drama	Scandal
	Favorite Dramatic TV Actress	Kerry Washington
	Favorite Dramatic TV Actor	Scott Foley
NAACP Image Award	Outstanding Drama Series	Scandal
	Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series	Kerry Washington
	Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series	Joe Morton
	Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series	Guillermo Diaz
Teen Choice Award	Choice TV Actress – Drama	Kerry Washington

DVD release

The Complete Fifth Season^[68]
Set details			Special features
21 episodes 5-disc set 904 minutes English (Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround) English SDH, Spanish and French subtitles			Extended Episodes Bloopers & Mistakes
Release dates
Region 1			Region 2
August 23, 2016			November 23, 2016

Notes and References

1. Web site: ABC Renews Once, Castle and More; Cancels Forever, Cristela. TVGuide. Ngyuen. Hanh. May 7, 2015. May 8, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150510164337/http://www.tvguide.com/news/abc-renewals-cancellations-fall-2015/. May 10, 2015. live.
2. Web site: Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, S.H.I.E.L.D. and 8 Other Shows Renewed at ABC. TVLine. Mitovich. Matt Webb. March 3, 2016. March 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160612061115/http://tvline.com/2016/03/03/abc-renewed-series-2016-greys-anatomy-shield/. June 12, 2016. live.
3. Web site: Spending today in both Writers Rooms (#GreysAnatomy and #Scandal) and @petenowa has begun the #HTGAWM Room! Next season is in full swing!!. Twitter. Rhimes. Shonda. May 21, 2015. May 26, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20180312172048/https://twitter.com/shondarhimes/status/601418253630459904. March 12, 2018. live.
4. Web site: ABC's Midseason Schedule: Shonda Rhimes' The Catch Joins TGIT Lineup, No Winter Hiatus for Castle. TVLine. Ausiello. Michael. November 16, 2015. November 16, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151117225439/http://tvline.com/2015/11/16/abc-midseason-schedule-2016-the-catch-tgit/. November 17, 2015. live.
5. Web site: ‘Madoff’ and ‘Scandal’: ABC’s miniseries probably means a longer wait for Olivia Pope’s return. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. November 16, 2015. November 16, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151116004546/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/13/madoff-and-scandal-abcs-miniseries-probably-means-a-longer-wait-for-olivia-popes-return/. November 16, 2015. dead.
6. Web site: 'Scandal' News, Update: Executive Producer Shonda Rhimes Talks About Season 5 Plot. The Christian Post. Donguines. Arvin. August 5, 2015. August 6, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034003/http://www.christianpost.com/news/scandal-news-update-executive-producer-shonda-rhimes-talks-about-season-5-plot-142374/. September 24, 2015. live.
7. Web site: Scandal Season 5 to Mark the 'Reconstitution' of the Gladiators. TVLine. Ausiello. Michael. August 14, 2015. August 22, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150821073557/https://tvline.com/2015/08/14/scandal-season-5-gladiators-spoilers/. August 21, 2015. live.
8. Web site: Thank you! Everyone back and at work getting ready for Episode 501! Exciting. #5candal. Twitter. July 6, 2015. July 13, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305201802/https://twitter.com/merrieats/status/618083261730918400. March 5, 2016. live.
9. Web site: Tomorrow is the day before the #5candal table read. Which means tonight feels like Christmas Eve EVE I've missed the Scandal fam so much!. Twitter. Washington. Kerry. July 12, 2015. July 13, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160309022028/https://twitter.com/kerrywashington/status/620447292638670848. March 9, 2016. live.
10. Web site: Well look at what we have here... #5candal. #DirectorsPOV. Twitter. Verica. Tom. August 8, 2015. August 9, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151106120459/https://twitter.com/tomverica/status/630125381069045760. November 6, 2015. live.
11. Web site: Day 1 #scandal done! No #peepingtoms today...all spoilers:) But one each day for rest of 1st ep. And next director @tonygoldwyn in prep.. Twitter. Verica. Tom. July 16, 2015. July 18, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160306014515/https://twitter.com/tomverica/status/621873016285237248. March 6, 2016. live.
12. Web site:
    1. scandal location scout. Stuck!!
    . Twitter. Foley. Scott. October 13, 2015. October 14, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160309083400/https://twitter.com/scottkfoley/status/654041313982091264. March 9, 2016. live.
13. Web site: 'Scandal' Promotes Portia de Rossi to Series Regular for Season 5. The Hollywood Reporter. Goldberg. Lesley. May 14, 2015. July 13, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150517235605/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/scandal-portia-de-rossi-series-795738. May 17, 2015. live.
14. Web site: Scandal Blind Item: Olivia to Hire New Gladiator (It's Someone We've Met!). TVLine. Ausiello. Michael. April 24, 2015. July 13, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150709235650/http://tvline.com/2015/04/24/scandal-season-5-new-gladiator-spoilers/. July 9, 2015. live.
15. Web site: Scandal: Cornelius Smith Jr. Returning as a Series Regular in Season 5. TV Line. Ausiello. Michael. July 7, 2015. July 13, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150711043352/http://tvline.com/2015/07/07/scandal-cornelius-smith-jr-season-5-cast-series-regular-marcus-walker/. July 11, 2015. live.
16. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Mia Maestro Joins 'Scandal' In Recurring Role. Deadline.com. Penske Business Media. 25 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150825202633/http://deadline.com/2015/08/mia-maestro-cast-scandal-recurring-1201504945/. 25 August 2015. live.
17. Web site: Sneider. Jeff. 'Scandal' Casts Julie Claire for Season 5. The Wrap. The Wrap. 28 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151010080049/http://www.thewrap.com/scandal-casts-julie-claire-for-season-5-exclusive/. 10 October 2015. live.
18. Web site: Scandal books Ricardo Chavira for recurring role — exclusive. Entertainment Weekly. Abrams. Natalie. February 4, 2016. February 7, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160207013251/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/02/04/scandal-ricardo-chavira-abc. February 7, 2016. live.
19. Web site: Annabeth Gish Joins ‘Scandal’ As Recurring. Deadline. Petski. Denise. February 8, 2016. February 9, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160211012249/http://deadline.com/2016/02/annabeth-gish-cast-scandal-1201698382/. February 11, 2016. live.
20. Web site: 'Scandal' Promotes Joe Morton to Series Regular (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. Goldberg. Lesley. February 18, 2016. February 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160219091428/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/scandal-joe-morton-promoted-series-867234. February 19, 2016. live.
21. Web site: Scandal S05 reviews. rottentomatoes.com. Rotten Tomatoes. May 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20171204054135/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/scandal/s05/. December 4, 2017. live.
22. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: Sunday Night Football Leads Adults 18-49 and Total Viewers for the Week Ending September 27, 2015. TV by the Numbers. Dixon. Dani. September 30, 2015. September 30, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151001174715/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/09/30/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-sunday-night-football-leads-adults-18-49-and-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-september-27-2015/474199/. October 1, 2015. dead.
23. Web site: Weekly Top 25: 'Sunday Night Football' leads in 18-49 and viewers for Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2015. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. October 6, 2015. October 6, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151007203350/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/10/06/weekly-top-25-sunday-night-football-lead-18-49-viewers-for-sept-28-oct-4-2015/476833/. October 7, 2015. dead.
24. Web site: Weekly Top 25: 'Sunday Night Football' leads in 18-49 and viewers for Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2015. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. October 13, 2015. October 13, 2015.
25. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: 'Empire' and 'Thursday Night Football' trade spots, 'SNF' on top for Oct. 12-18. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. October 20, 2015. October 20, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151021130932/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/10/20/broadcast-weekly-top-25-oct-12-18-2015/479442/. October 21, 2015. dead.
26. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: 'Sunday Night Football' tops 18-49 and viewers for Oct. 19-25. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. October 27, 2015. October 27, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151109011817/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/03/broadcast-weekly-top-25-sunday-night-football-tops-18-49-and-viewers-for-oct-19-25/. November 9, 2015. dead.
27. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: NFL and World Series dominate the week of Oct. 26-Nov. 1. https://web.archive.org/web/20210223091352/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/03/broadcast-weekly-top-25-nfl-and-world-series-dominate-the-week-of-oct-26-nov-1/481688/. dead. February 23, 2021. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. November 3, 2015. November 3, 2015.
28. Web site: Nielsens: World Series, GOP debate. Levin. Gary. USA Today. November 3, 2015. March 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20151106235131/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2015/11/03/nielsen-weekly-tv-ratings-highlights-week-ending-november-1-2015/75060724/. November 6, 2015. live.
29. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: ‘Sunday Night Football’ leads, ‘Empire’ and ‘NCIS’ top scripted shows for Nov. 2-8. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. November 10, 2015. November 10, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151112173019/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/10/broadcast-weekly-top-25-sunday-night-football-leads-empire-and-ncis-top-scripted-shows-for-nov-2-8/. November 12, 2015. dead.
30. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: ‘Sunday Night Football’ leads, ‘Empire’ tops scripted shows for Nov. 9-15. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. November 17, 2015. November 17, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151118190742/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/17/broadcast-weekly-top-25-nov-9-15-2015/. November 18, 2015. dead.
31. Web site: Nielsens: Debates, 'Badlands,' 'Broke Girls'. Levin. Gary. USA Today. November 17, 2015. March 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20151123062024/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2015/11/17/nielsen-weekly-tv-ratings-highlights-week-ending-november-15-2015/75925656/. November 23, 2015. live.
32. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: NFL and ‘Empire’ on top again for Nov. 16-22. TV By The Numbers. Porter. Rick. November 24, 2015. November 24, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151125070431/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/24/broadcast-weekly-top-25-nov-16-22-2015/. November 25, 2015. dead.
33. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: ‘Big Bang Theory’ and ‘NCIS’ top the week of Feb. 8-14. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. February 17, 2016. February 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160220135254/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/02/17/broadcast-weekly-top-25-feb-8-14-2016/. February 20, 2016. dead.
34. Web site: Nielsens: 'Walking Dead' return, NBA All-Star Game. Levin. Gary. USA Today. February 18, 2016. March 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160331095944/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2016/02/17/nielsens-walking-dead-return-nba-all-star-game/80505854/. March 31, 2016. live.
35. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: Grammys dominate the week of Feb. 15-21. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. February 23, 2016. February 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160224085329/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/02/23/broadcast-weekly-top-25-feb-15-21-2016/. February 24, 2016. dead.
36. Web site: Nielsens: Grammys, 'Better Call Saul'. Levin. Gary. USA Today. February 23, 2016. March 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160331074645/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2016/02/23/nielsens-grammys-better-call-saul/80796604/. March 31, 2016. live.
37. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: Down Oscars still dominate the week of Feb. 22-28. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. March 1, 2016. March 1, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160302111058/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/03/01/broadcast-weekly-top-25-feb-22-28-2016/. March 2, 2016. dead.
38. Web site: Nielsens: Oscars dip,'Grey's Anatomy' returns. Levin. Gary. USA Today. March 1, 2016. March 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160308112817/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2016/03/01/nielsen-weekly-ratings-highlights-for-week-ending-february-28-2016/81121278/. March 8, 2016. live.
39. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: ‘Little Big Shots’ makes a big impact in the week of March 7–13. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. March 15, 2016. March 15, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160317044249/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/03/15/broadcast-weekly-top-25-march-7-13-2016/. March 17, 2016. dead.
40. Web site: Nielsens: 'Little Big Shots,' 'Underground'. Levin. Gary. USA Today. March 15, 2016. March 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160316235553/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2016/03/15/nielsens-little-big-shots-underground/81811480/. March 16, 2016. live.
41. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: ‘The Voice’ and ‘NCIS’ lead a quiet week of March 14–20. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. March 22, 2016. March 22, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160326085554/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/03/22/broadcast-weekly-top-25-march-14-20-2016/. March 26, 2016. dead.
42. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: NCAA Tournament and ‘NCIS’ on top for March 21–27. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. March 29, 2016. March 29, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160402054320/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/03/29/broadcast-weekly-top-25-march-21-27-2016/. April 2, 2016. dead.
43. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: ‘Empire’ reclaims No. 1 ranking for March 28-April 3. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. April 5, 2016. April 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160406015059/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/04/05/broadcast-weekly-top-25-march-28-april-3-2016/. April 6, 2016. dead.
44. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: ‘Empire’ leads demo for April 4–10, ‘NCIS’ tops in viewers. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. April 12, 2016. April 12, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160413063407/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/04/12/broadcast-weekly-top-25-april-4-10-2016/. April 13, 2016. dead.
45. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: ‘Empire’ tops 18-49, ‘NCIS’ leads viewers for April 18–24. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. April 26, 2016. April 26, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160427142148/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/04/26/broadcast-weekly-top-25-empire-tops-18-49-ncis-leads-viewers-for-april-18-24/. April 27, 2016. dead.
46. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: ‘Empire’ and ‘The Big Bang Theory’ on top again for April 25-May 1. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. May 3, 2016. May 12, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160504120833/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/05/03/broadcast-weekly-top-25-april-25-may-1-2016/. May 4, 2016. dead.
47. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: ‘Empire’ and ‘NCIS’ lead the week of May 2–8. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. May 10, 2016. May 12, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160518025307/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/05/10/broadcast-weekly-top-25-may-2-8-2016/. May 18, 2016. dead.
48. Web site: Broadcast weekly Top 25: ‘Empire’ and ‘NCIS’ lead the week of May 9–15. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. May 17, 2016. May 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160518095600/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/05/17/broadcast-weekly-top-25-may-9-15-2016/. May 18, 2016. dead.
49. Web site: Premiere week Live +7 ratings: 'Blindspot,' 'Empire' and 'Big Bang Theory' score biggest gains. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. October 12, 2015. October 12, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151013183937/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/10/11/premiere-week-live-7-ratings-blindspot-empire-and-big-bang-theory-score-biggest-gains/477409/. October 13, 2015. dead.
50. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 2: 'The Blacklist' premiere joins 'Empire' and 'Blindspot' atop the charts. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. October 19, 2015. October 19, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151020142054/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/10/19/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-2-the-blacklist-premiere-joins-empire-and-blindspot-atop-the-charts/479111/. October 20, 2015. dead.
51. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 3: ‘Quantico’ more than doubles, ‘Empire’ and ‘Blindspot’ score biggest gains. Porter. Rick. October 31, 2015. TV by the Numbers. October 31, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151026192019/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/10/26/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-3-2015-16/480276/. October 26, 2015. dead.
52. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 4: ‘Jane the Virgin’ premiere doubles, ‘Empire’ and ‘Blindspot’ top charts for Oct. 12-18. Porter. Rick. November 4, 2015. TV by the Numbers. November 4, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151103180655/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/02/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-4-2015/481275/. November 3, 2015. dead.
53. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 5: ‘Empire’ and ‘Blindspot’ have biggest toal gains, 5 shows double. Porter. Rick. November 9, 2015. TV by the Numbers. November 9, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151113034210/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/09/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-5-oct-19-25-2015/. November 13, 2015. dead.
54. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: ‘Big Bang Theory’ and ‘Blindspot’ top week 6, ‘Quantico’ doubles in 18-49 and viewers. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. November 16, 2015. November 16, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151118045528/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/16/broadcast-live-7-ratings-big-bang-theory-and-blindspot-top-week-6-quantico-doubles-in-18-49-and-viewers/. November 18, 2015. dead.
55. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 7: ‘Elementary’ is still a strong DVR show. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. November 23, 2015. November 23, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151126003613/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/23/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-7-nov-2-8-2015/. November 26, 2015. dead.
56. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 8: ‘Empire,’ ‘Big Bang Theory’ and ‘Quantico’ top charts for Nov. 9-15. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. December 1, 2015. December 1, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151203192118/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/12/01/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-8-empire-big-bang-theory-and-quantico-top-charts-for-nov-9-15/. December 3, 2015. dead.
57. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 9: ‘Big Bang Theory’ makes the biggest gains. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. December 7, 2015. December 7, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151210012505/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/12/07/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-9-big-bang-theory-makes-the-biggest-gains/. December 10, 2015. dead.
58. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: ‘How to Get Away with Murder,’ 5 other shows double in a DVR-heavy week 21. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. February 29, 2016. February 29, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160301101611/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/02/29/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-21-feb-8-14-2016/. March 1, 2016. dead.
59. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: ‘The Blacklist’ and ‘The Big Bang Theory’ lead week 22. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. March 7, 2016. March 7, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160308062021/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/03/07/broadcast-live-7-ratings-feb-15-21-2016-week-22/. March 8, 2016. dead.
60. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: ‘Big Bang Theory’ has biggest week 23 gain, ‘Jane the Virgin’ and 3 others double. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. March 14, 2016. March 15, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160315035448/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/03/14/broadcast-live-7-ratings-feb-22-28-2016/. March 15, 2016. dead.
61. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and ‘Quantico’ lead week 25. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. March 28, 2016. March 28, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160331032449/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/03/28/broadcast-live-7-ratings-march-7-13-2016/. March 31, 2016. dead.
62. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: ‘Modern Family’ and ‘Blindspot’ gain the most for March 14–20. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. April 5, 2016. April 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160405220845/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/04/05/broadcast-live-7-ratings-march-14-20-2016/. April 5, 2016. dead.
63. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: ‘Modern Family’ tops the week of March 21–27, 4 shows double. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. April 11, 2016. April 11, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160412163859/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/04/11/broadcast-live-7-ratings-march-21-27-2016/. April 12, 2016. dead.
64. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and ‘Empire’ lead the week of March 28-April 3. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. April 18, 2016. April 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160419204305/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/04/18/broadcast-live-7-ratings-march-28-april-3-2016/. April 19, 2016. dead.
65. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: ‘Empire’ and ‘Big Bang Theory’ stay on top for April 4–10. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. April 25, 2016. April 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160425224416/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/04/25/broadcast-live-7-ratings-april-4-10-2016/. April 25, 2016. dead.
66. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: ‘Empire’ and ‘Big Bang Theory’ lead for April 18–24, 5 shows double. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. May 9, 2016. May 12, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160511121935/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/05/09/broadcast-live-7-ratings-april-18-24-2016/. May 11, 2016. dead.
67. Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: ‘Big Bang Theory,’ ‘Empire’ and ‘Blacklist’ lead for April 25-May 1. TV by the Numbers. Porter. Rick. May 17, 2016. May 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160518100306/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/05/17/broadcast-live-7-ratings-april-25-may-1-2016/. May 18, 2016. dead.
68. Web site: Scandal - The Secret is Out: Street Date for 'The Complete 5th Season' DVDs!. TV Shows on DVD. May 13, 2016. September 21, 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160819031524/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Scandal-Season-5/22265. August 19, 2016.