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20 Nov 2014

In prime time, these D.C. women hold the power

KERRY WASHINGTON
It's time to bite the ballot, as powerful politico women have taken over prime time and won enthusiastic viewers, especially on ABC's sudsy, salaciousScandal, which airs its fall finale Thursday (9 ET/PT). The appeal of Washington (and not just Kerry) is obvious, says Katherine Heigl (NBC's new State of Affairs): "I didn't even know that this was a real job. I thought that would be really cool." USA TODAY rounds up the players.

Scandal (ABC, Thursdays, 9 ET/PT)
Power player: Kerry Washington is master fixer Olivia Pope
Famous for: Being a rare African-American actress to headline a major network series, and playing a character who easily moves among the hallowed seats of power, while also dealing with her unfortunate choice in men (some married), her killer instincts at work, her immensely twisted family life, and an envy-inducing Prada andArmani wardrobe.
One-liner: "It's handled."
Madam Secretary (CBS, Sundays, 8 ET/PT)
Power player: Tea Leoni is Elizabeth Faulkner McCord, a former CIA analyst who becomes secretary of state, a kinder, gentler, more muted version of Hillary Clinton, with her supportive spouse (Tim Daly) by her side and two kids at home.
Famous for: Deftly analyzing a suspicious plane crash and the possibility of sabotage while switching gears to cheer her daughter on, quite vocally, at soccer games.
One-liner: "I am a realist."
Veep (HBO, return expected in April)
Power player: Julia Louis-Dreyfus as petty, mercurial, ceaselessly ambitious and oddly obtuse second-in-command Selina Meyer.
Famous for: Finally becoming leader of the free world after the president steps down – only to flub her swearing in.
One-liner: Oh, so many. But a recent favorite, after she lost in New Hampshire: "I came in third, Amy. Even the Nazis came in second."
State of Affairs (NBC, Mondays, 10 ET/PT)
Power player: Katherine Heigl as presidential briefer Charlie Tucker, who runs the show at work but crumbles behind closed doors.
Famous for: Being a troubled political foot soldier whose fiancé was killed in action – and his mom is the nation's president and her boss.
One-liner: "I have to deal with it every day from now on and it sucks," Charlie tells her therapist about her grief.

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