Is ‘Scandal’ season 5 new tonight on ABC? The wait for season 6 is on

Tonight, ABC is airing a wide array of different programming, and that includes a two-hour season finale for “The Catch.” As a result of that, though, they are losing another show from their lineup in “Scandal.”

Then again, are you really “losing” something with nothing left in the tank? The finale for season 5 aired last week with Mellie getting Jake Ballard as her rather-unorthodox running mate, and we’re now stuck in the middle of an enormous hiatus until season 6. (It is somewhat unusual that season 5 only had 21 episodes, given that 22 is really the industry standard for the vast majority of network shows out there.)

While we wish that we could tell you that you would be seeing season 6 premiere in the fall, the reality here is that you’re going to be waiting much longer than that. Due to Kerry Washington’s pregnancy, the new season will not return until midseason, and there is no official word on the episode order just yet. The easy assumption to make is that with the timing, it probably won’t be more than 15 or 16 installments, and it could end up being just 13, which is fairly standard for many new series. (Fellow #TGIT show “How to Get Away with Murder” typically does 15 to accommodate Viola Davis’ schedule.)

Once we do have some more news regarding the future of “Scandal,” rest assured that we will put some more updates on the site then! For now, just prepare yourself by watching some repeats, or hunkering down in some sort of Gladiator bunker until the show comes back.

If you do want to get some more news right now when it comes to “Scandal,” be sure to head over here right now! Also, sign up over here to secure some other TV news on all we cover, sent right over to you via our official CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ABC.)