topic Re: SCANDAL Shocker: Columbus Short Not Returning for Season 4 in TV and Movies

SCANDAL Shocker: Columbus Short Not Returning for Season 4

keri — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 07:19:45 GMT

Apr 25, 2014 06:00 PM ETby Natalie Abrams | TV GUIDE

Another member of OPA has checked out.

Columbus Short will not return for the fourth season of ABC's Scandal, TVGuide.com has confirmed. A source says that the actor's contract option was not picked up.

Scandal: Who didn't survive the season finale?

"At this time I must confirm my exit from a show I've called home for 3 years, with what is the most talented ensemble on television today," Short said in a statement. "I would like to first thank [executive producer] Shonda Rhimes for the opportunity to work with such an amazing cast. Thank you Gladiators, who have supported me throughout my entire career and of course to ABC and Shondaland for allowing me to play such a pivotal role in the Scandal series. I have enjoyed every single minute of it. Everything must come to an end and unfortunately the time has come for Harrison Wright to exit the canvas. I wish nothing but the best for Shonda, Kerry and the rest of the cast, who have become like a second family to me in such a short amount of time. For this, I will forever be grateful."

During the season finale, Short's character Harrison deduced that Olivia's (Kerry Washington) father had orchestrated the murder of the President's (Tony Goldwyn) son in a bid to get him reelected so that Rowan (Joe Morton) could regain his position as Command of B613. To prevent Harrison from revealing the truth to Olivia, it appeared Rowan ordered Secret Service/B613 Agent Tom (Brian Letscher) to kill him. In the final moments of the episode, Tom had his gun raised to shoot Harrison before the scene cut away. While it's not confirmed, it seems highly likely that Harrison is, indeed, dead. (Watch the Season 3 finale here.)

Columbus Short

Scandal Postmortem: Are Olivia and Fitz over for good?

The news comes on the heels of Short's personal problems. His wife filed for divorce and was granted a temporary restraining order after she alleged that the actor threatened to kill her and himself. A month earlier, Short was arrested on a felony battery charge stemming from a March 15 altercation at a West Hollywood restaurant in which he allegedly punched a man at an engagement party. Short was also reportedly arrested several other times for violent behavior, including twice in February for alleged physical altercations with his wife. He pled not guilty to spousal battery and child abuse in March.

Short is not the first Scandal actor to say farewell. Henry Ian Cusick, who played Olivia's right-hand man Stephen Finch, left after Season 1.

Are you surprised that Short will no longer be on Scandal? Will you miss his character?

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Despite the hype of TV Guide's headline, is this really a "shocker"?

OPA Gladiator-In-A-Suit Harrison Wright (Columbus Short) has hung up his suit for the last time. This should come as a surprise to absolutely no one who's been paying attention. As I said last week after Scandal's S3 finale, Harrison's fate was left ambiguous intentionally to give Shonda Rhimes an exit strategy if his personal problems became too overwhelming distractive and intrusive for the show.

If you watched Jimmy Kimmel Live: Behind The Scandalabra, when he asked Rhimes about delivering bad news to cast members, it seemed all too obvious that she was referring to the latest departure - namely Columbus Short.

Doesn't this remind you of the somewhat similar situation Rhimes faced on Grey's Anatomy with Isaiah Washington (Dr. Preston Burke), who used a derogatory term when referring to fellow cast member, T.R. Knight (Dr. George O'Malley). Washington became the subject of too much unwanted attention and criticism and was fired.

Now that Columbus Short is out, wouldn't it be great if they replaced him by bringing back Henry Ian Cusick as Stephen Finch, whose departure from OPA after S1 never was fully explained. - Keri

Re: SCANDAL Shocker: Columbus Short Not Returning for Season 4

Marsha2003 — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 17:49:14 GMT

I liked the chemistry between Finch and Olivia, but for Finch to return, it probably would mean that his attempt at a personal life failed and I would hate that as a story line. I'm unfamiliar with The 100, the show on which both Henry Ian Cusick and Isaiah Washington have roles. Are both their characters continuing in that series?

Re: SCANDAL Shocker: Columbus Short Not Returning for Season 4

Annabellethecat66 — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 03:53:44 GMT

That explains it then. I watched Jimmy Kimble the other night (I think it was a repeat) and he did a funny 1 hour long skit called "Behind the Scandalabra".

You can probably google it. It is very clever and funny.

It has Shonda Rymes on it (he interviews her throughout the skit) and it also has lots of bloopers (they are funny).

Anyway, try to find it. I'd post the link but this is me....Annabelle here...I'm lucky I found this website! Ha!

Re: SCANDAL Shocker: Columbus Short Not Returning for Season 4

Gidge — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 20:19:08 GMT

Well I am disappointed that he won't be returning, though I figured that much watching the finale (and reading of his personal issues). Too bad b/c I liked his character on the program. Oh well! It's going to be a loooooonnnnngggg off- season and I really can't wait to see what's in store for the next season!

Re: SCANDAL Shocker: Columbus Short Not Returning for Season 4

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 22:03:30 GMT

I don't even remember Henry Ian Cusick in the first season .....

Re: SCANDAL Shocker: Columbus Short Not Returning for Season 4

SydneyH — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 22:13:42 GMT

I would love to see Isiah Washington on the show.

Re: SCANDAL Shocker: Columbus Short Not Returning for Season 4

Gidge — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 00:42:05 GMT

On 4/27/2014 Tinkrbl44 said:
I don't even remember Henry Ian Cusick in the first season .....

I didn't either! I had to Google him and still didn't remember! lol