Blake, Scott and Emerson: "Damn You, Shonda!"

Bravotv.com: What was your favorite TV moment from this week’s episode?
Blake: I insisted on drawing constant comparisons between How to Get Away with Murder and Legally Blonde and was having such a great time with it. . .Scott and Emerson were not amused.

Bravotv.com: What are your favorite current shows and what should everyone be watching?
B: Right now I am loving Scandal, Nashville, Gotham, and Once Upon A Time.

Bravotv.com: What are your favorite shows and characters of all time and why?
B: I grew up watching Dynasty and Dallas so the Carringtons and Ewings will always hold a special place in my heart. But probably my all time favorite characters/show combo would be Sydney and Jack Bristow (Jennifer Garner and Victor Garber) on Alias. Oh, and I was also obsessed with the brilliant but gone too soon American Dreams. I was so jealous of Brittany Snow's Meg getting to re-live the greatest musical moments of the 1960's on American Bandstand.

Bravotv.com: What TV show was the biggest influence on your life? How?
B: This is reaching far back but I would have to say The Dean Martin Show. Of course, I wasn't alive when it was on the air but my mom was on the show for five seasons and I grew up watching the VHS tapes of all the episodes. That show was like a masterclass in the great American Songbook and sketch comedy. I learned so much from watching it and seeing all the amazing guest stars Dean had on week after week.

Bravotv.com: Are you a Shonda Rhimes fanatic and what did you think of the How to Get Away with Murder premiere?
B: Yes, yes and YES! But I'm an even bigger Viola Davis fan! I absolutely loved the pilot and I think we are in for a roller-coaster of a brilliant thriller! I can't wait for next week's episode!

Bravotv.com: What was your favorite TV moment from this week’s episode?
Scott: Asking me to pick my favorite moment from TV this week is like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. I mean, we all know she has one, but she can never tell, so she lies and says that they each hold a special place in her heart for different reasons. . .well, except that one child. Every family has one! With that said, Scandal and How To Get Away With Murder had me on the edge of my seat, but Scandal may win this week because it made me tear up during the funeral scene. My heart broke as one by one they all walked away from Olivia. . .and then I got so angry when I saw her snake of a Father peeping out from behind that tinted window!
 
Bravotv.com: What are your favorite current shows and what should everyone be watching?
S: My TV watching is so bi-polar! One second I'm rooting for Maddie on Dance Moms then suddenly I'm crying over a reading on Long Island Medium, getting hunger pains over Top Chef, cat fighting with the ladies of The Real Housewives. . .and hating on the singers on The Voice (as I sing along off-tune!)

I'm totally obsessed with Scandal! I took a trip to D.C. over the summer and wore lots of Olivia Pope inspired all-white outfits! In the same vein, I am totally loving Madam Secretary. I guess I'm a big political whore, like Monica Lewinksy. How To get Away With Murder shows so much promise and I'm loving it so far! Everyone should also check out Red Band Society. It's a really interesting concept with both funny and touching moments, not to mention great performances all around (especially from the impressive kids).
 
Bravotv.com: What are your favorite shows and characters of all time and why?
S: Call me Gay, but nothing comes as close to perfection for me as The Golden Girls. It's still one of the funniest shows ever written -- and it first aired almost 20-something years ago! Each night after I watch all of my current shows, I have to watch at least one episode of my girls. . .and yes, sometimes I break out the cheesecake and pretend I have a lanai! 
 
Bravotv.com: What TV show was the biggest influence on your life? How?
S: The one TV show that was the biggest influence on my life was The Rosie O'Donnell Show. I used to pretend to be sick so that I could stay home from school and watch her show when she had on a guest that I loved (this was pre-DVR days, so you either had to set your VCR timer and pray that it actually recorded the show, or you just missed it). Rosie wasn't like any other talk show host. She approached each celebrity interview as a fan, not as one celebrity interviewing another celebrity. I remember watching Rosie and thinking "I could do this! I love to talk, I love celebrities and I'm not afraid to talk to them. We'd have so much fun!" It also didn't hurt that Rosie and I both shared a love of Broadway musicals. She was Broadway's biggest supporter and it made me love her even more! She's the reason I started doing celebrity interviews and live show hosting. When I finally had a chance to meet her, I totally fan-boy'd out on her! I could feel that I was going too far gushing over her so I switched the conversation to Barbra Streisand and she lit up! 
 
Bravotv.com: Are you a Shonda Rhimes fanatic and what did you think of the How to Get Away with Murder premiere?
S: Shonda Rhimes has revolutionized television! She saw a lack of well-written shows with strong (but flawed) female characters and she filled the void! She's the queen of the cliff-hanger episode and she gets me every time! I never thought I would be wishing the summer away, but this year I did because I couldn't wait for the Scandal premiere. It did not disappoint! That opening shot of Olivia on the beach with that beautiful naturally curly hair was worth the wait alone! Although, I do love that she straightened her hair again the minute she landed in DC before heading over to her old office!! Priorities, people! It was kind of like, D.C. has never seen the real (curly) Olivia, and she had to put back on her uniform (straight hair).

As for How To Get Away With Murder,  I really liked the premiere and am excited to see where this show takes us!!! Who killed her husband? Who killed the girl in the water tank? Who are they covering this all up for? Damn you Shonda, I'm hooked!!!

Bravotv.com: What was your favorite TV moment from this week’s episode?
Emerson: Seeing Kerry Washington Olivia Pope-ing on a tropical island! Trading in the white hat for a classy white bathing suit and natural hair with her signature glass of wine -- well it reinforced my enthusiasm for the entire new season of Scandal.  (Also -- the Gypsy Sisters wedding, because what in the ever-loving-heck was that?!)

Bravotv.Com: What are your favorite current shows and what should everyone be watching?
E: Scandal -- a given. Madam Secretary is off to a crackling start with balanced performances and ripped from the headlines political considerations. My inner nerd revels in Agents of SHIELD, Gotham, Arrow and the upcoming Flash. And my inner 14-year-old girl (her name is Amber) lives for The Vampire Diaries and The Originals. And I'm so excited to have Caroline back on my TV in Manzo'd With Children!
 

Bravotv.com: What are your favorite shows and characters of all time and why?
E: The West Wing is my favorite series of all time. The combination of Aaron Sorkin's writing, incredible nuanced performances and culturally relevant plots made a series that was beyond entertaining to watch and also genuinely challenging as an audience member to consider the difficult issues the series addressed on a regular basis.

Bravotv.com: What TV show was the biggest influence on your life? How?
I'm a nerd for television, but it doesn't really set the course for my life.  (That would be crazy).  However, Friends was the first series I watched from beginning to end, so it was a big part of growing up for me.

Bravotv.com: Are you a Shonda Rhimes fanatic and what did you think of the How to Get Away with Murder premiere?
I am. In every way.  For her writing, for the kinds of actors she casts to flesh out her brilliant and complicated characters and for the issues she explores in unique and interesting ways. HTGAWM is off to a BRILLIANT start, that could hand Viola Davis the Emmy now. Personally, I give huge props for the casual and matter-of-fact way that same-sex interactions have been be treated like just a part of normal life. Also, I can't wait to see if they actually get away with this murder.