Hollywood, Shonda Rhimes wants you to stop trying to make “smart strong women” happen. It’s not going to happen. Well, to be more specific, the powerhouse showrunner thinks the phrase shouldn’t happen, as it’s totally unnecessary.
“Okay. Entertainment industry, time to stop using the phrases ‘Smart Strong Women’ and ‘Strong Female Leads,’” Rhimes tweeted on Thursday. “There are no Dumb Weak Women. A smart strong woman is just a WOMAN. Also? ‘Women’ are not a TV trend — we’re half the planet.”
In case you aren’t a fan of TGIT (or actually, if you don’t own a TV), allow TheWrap to remind you that Rhimes is the mind behind the shows that rule ABC’s primetime on Thursdays: “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal” and “How to Get Away with Murder.” Actresses Ellen Pompeo, Kerry Washington and Viola Davis — all forces to be reckoned with — lead the Shondaland series.
However, we wouldn’t invoke the phrase-that-shall-not-be-named to describe Rhimes’ programming, just because it is led by some badasses who just so happen to be women.
See Rhimes’ tweet below.
Okay. Entertainment industry, time to stop using the phrases "Smart Strong Women" and "Strong Female Leads". There are no Dumb Weak Women. A smart strong woman is just a WOMAN. Also? "Women" are not a TV trend — we're half the planet.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) February 1, 2018