Obviously TV shows aren’t the most-realist programs out there, but if we were looking for realism instead of entertainment we’d turn on the History channel. While some artistic freedom is granted, those writers in Shondaland just seem to take it a little too far. Seeing as Scandal is set in DC, we thought we’d do some fact checking on what presumably goes down in The District.

So pop some popcorn and pour yourself a glass of red wine because we’re calling out all of their scandalous activity.

Transportation:

Scandal DC: Everyone takes private cars around the city with little to no time wasted being stuck in traffic.

Real DC: You either take the metro (when it’s working), an uber, or you take your life into your own hands by driving yourself around. And don’t even get us started on the traffic… we’d love to know how many of you are reading this while you’re stuck on the Key Bridge right now.

Tape Recordings:

Scandal DC: There’s a presidential audio sex tape, of Fitz and Amanda, that gets circulated for all of the United States to hear. 

Real DC: Even President Richard Nixon, who paranoiacally recorded everything he said, had enough decency to leave a 18 minute gap on his tapes. What happened in those 18 minutes we may never know, and after watching Scandal we are very thankful for that. 

Rigging Elections:

Scandal DC: Olivia Pope, Mellie Grant, Verna Thornton, Cyrus Bean, and Hollis Doyle all conspire together to rig the presidential election by tampering with voting machines. Oh, and Fitz has no idea.

Real DC: We’re hoping this one isn’t too far fetch as it would explain how Trump made it all the way to becoming the Republican Presidential Nominee. 

Secret Identities:

Scandal DC: Quinn Perkins, born Lindsay Dwyer, was given a new identity after being framed for murder in the Cytron explosion.

Real DC: Well, then again, Sen. Mitch McConell has a secret identity too.

Head Wounds:

Scandal DC: Fitz gets shot in the head on the way to his own birthday party.

Real DC: Okay, maybe this one isn’t too far fetched, I mean poor Abe did get shot in the head while watching a play. But nowadays, it would be very unlikely that the secret service would ever let someone get close enough to fire a shot. 

Forging Signatures:

Scandal DC: Mellie Grant, the First Lady, commits treason by forging her husband’s signature while he is in a coma to sign the presidency back over to Fitz and kick Sally Langston out of office.

Real DC: Michelle Obama is too busy getting kids to put down the Ho Ho’s and pick up a jump rope to even have the time to consider signing Barack’s name on Sasha’s note to get her out of gym class (not that she would, that would go against her entire platform).

Death of Supreme Court Justices:

Scandal DC: Fitz killed Verna Thornton, a Supreme Court Justice, with his own hands.

Real DC: Even if some conspiracy theorists swear the Obama killed Justice Scalia, we highly doubt he is skilled/cruel enough to do it with his bare hands.

Fashion:

Scandal DC: Everyone is perfectly dressed in designer clothes for every occasion, some even with multiple outfit changes throughout the day. (We’re all just secretly jealous that Olivia can pull off trench coats and white suits better than anyone we know).

Real DC: Everyone is dressed in the nicest clothes they can find at Forever 21, H&M and Target because we have to choose between buying a new suit or paying rent for the next year.

National Security:

Scandal DC: B613, headed by Rowan Pope, rules the world and basically can kill whoever they want, whenever they want, wherever they want. And that’s if they like you enough to not mercilessly torture you first.

Real DC: We have the CIA which works within the government system to legally protect our country.

Despite a few details here and there (and everywhere), Scandal does a great job of showing DC life. I mean, at the end of the day we’re all just gladiators in suits, right?