This story first appeared in the March 14 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

With Scandal ruling primetime and star Kerry Washington becoming an awards season fixture, more pilots led by black actors are in the works this season. 

PHOTOS: The Faces of Pilot Season 2014

Emily Piriz’s American Idol journey began when she was six years old, sitting at home in Hialeah, Fla., watching Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini competing on season one. At 14, Piriz won a golden ticket at the American Idol Experience attraction at Disney World in her new hometown of Orlando. That allowed her to audition for the show without waiting in line. She didn’t make it, but she didn’t give up, competing at the Disney attraction two more times and winning another golden ticket.

[Warning: This story contains spoilers from Scandal's "We Do Not Touch the First Ladies" episode.]

ABC's Scandal peeled back the layers between vice presidential candidate Andrew (Jon Tenney) and first lady Mellie Grant on Thursday with an eventful hour that shed light not only on their past but one that puts their futures in question.

Tony winner and Frasier alum Bebe Neuwirth is returning to series television.

The actress has signed on to co-star in CBS' political drama Madam Secretary, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

PHOTOS: Faces of Pilot Season 2014

FX is keeping Archer around through at least 2016.

The cable network has renewed the animated series for a sixth and seventh season, extending the series through 2016 and clearing the way for the show to go into cable and broadcast syndication.

FX has picked up 13 new episodes for both the sixth and seventh season, with the potential for the animated hit to return beyond then.

PHOTOS: Midseason TV Preview

Grey's Anatomy is bringing back one of its original and most controversial stars.

Isaiah Washington, who originated the role of Dr. Preston Burke on the ABC medical drama, will return to reprise his role on the Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers medical drama, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

PHOTOS: 'Grey's Anatomy's' Famous Departures

Scandal star Tony Goldwyn is headed to Lifetime.

The actor, who stars as President Fitzgerald Grant on ABC's red-hot Washington drama, has been tapped to play Warren Jeffs in Lifetime's original movie Outlaw Prophet, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

TBS is returning to Ground Floor.

More than two years after E! first vowed to expand into scripted programming, the cable network has made good on its promise.

The NBCUniversal-owned cabler has picked up its first original scripted series with The Royals, from One Tree Hill creator Mark Schwahn, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

The Arsenio Hall Show got a healthy infusion of buzz on Wednesday night when the host sat down with Prince for almost the entire duration of his syndicated talk show.

STORY: The New Gauge of Late-Night Success

So you watched American Idol at home Wednesday night? No problem. The Hollywood Reporter was your eyes and ears inside Stage 36 at CBS Television City. Here are five things that happened on the stage that you didn’t see in the comfort of your living room: