Shonda Rhimes Responds to New York Times' 'Angry Black Woman' Quip

The New York Times' Alessandra Stanley, in her preview of HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, has not pleased its executive producer, Shonda Rhimes.

In her opening sentence, the writer refers to the much-lauded GREY'S ANATOMY and SCANDAL creator as 'An Angry Black Woman' - and Rhimes has responded.

Rhimes took to Twitter to slam Stanley and the piece, which ultimately praised Rhimes:

@shondarhimes: "Confused why @nytimes critic doesn't know identity of CREATOR of show she's reviewing. @petenowa did u know u were "an angry black woman"?"

@shondarhimes: Apparently we can be "angry black women" together, because I didn't know I was one either! @petenowa #LearnSomethingNewEveryday

SCANDAL star Josh Malina went on to step in to defend Rhimes, following her own tweets.

@JoshMalina: Wow. Did I just read a @nytimes piece that reduced my brilliant, creative, compassionate, thoughtful, badass boss to an "angry black woman?"

Annalise Keating (Academy-Award Nominee Viola Davis) is everything you hope your Criminal Law professor will be - brilliant, passionate, creative and charismatic. She's also everything you don't expect - sexy, glamorous, unpredictable and dangerous. As fearless in the courtroom as she is in the classroom, Annalise is a defense attorney who represents the most hardened, violent criminals - people who've committed everything from fraud to arson to murder - and she'll do almost anything to win their freedom. On the surface, Annalise seems like she has it all - a successful career and loving husband, Sam (Tom Verica) - but her relationship with a local Philadelphia detective, Nate (Billy Brown), will force her to confront secrets about her life she never saw coming.

Each year, Annalise selects a group of the smartest, most promising students to come work at her law firm. The students vying for this coveted position include Wes Gibbins (Alfred Enoch), a wide-eyed, likable boy-next-door recently accepted off the waitlist; Michaela Pratt (Aja Naomi King), a confident, ambitious overachiever born knowing how to "lean in;" Connor Walsh (Jack Falahee), a sly, sophisticated heartbreaker used to getting any prize he lays his eyes on; Laurel Castillo (Karla Souza), a quiet, sensitive idealist who's easy to underestimate and Asher Millstone (Matt McGorry), an entitled know-it-all born into a world of Ivy League educations and country club memberships. The students all work under two of Annalise's dedicated associates: Frank Delfino (Charlie Weber), a local Philly boy done good, and Bonnie Winterbottom (Liza Weil), a sweet, observant team-player with a hidden edge.

Early in the first season, Wes will become entangled with his mysterious neighbor, Rebecca (Katie Findlay), after she becomes the main suspect in the murder of a beautiful university coed. Annalise's involvement with Rebecca's case will challenge her students' values, convictions, and dreams, as she teaches them the dark truth about the law and our justice system. It's worth it though. Working for Annalise is the opportunity of a lifetime, one that can change the course of our students' lives forever, which is exactly what happens when they find themselves involved in a murder plot that will rock the entire university.

"How to Get Away with Murder" stars Academy-Award Nominee Viola Davis as Professor Annalise Keating, Billy Brown as Nate, Alfred Enoch as Wes Gibbins, Jack Falahee as Connor Walsh, Katie Findlay as Rebecca, Aja Naomi King as Michaela Pratt, Matt McGorry as Asher Millstone, Karla Souza as Laurel Castillo, Charlie Weber as Frank Delfino and Liza Weil as Bonnie Winterbottom.

"How to Get Away with Murder" is created and executive-produced by Pete Nowalk ("Scandal," "Grey's Anatomy"). Shonda Rhimes ("Scandal," "Grey's Anatomy"), Betsy Beers ("Scandal," "Grey's Anatomy") and Bill D'Elia ("Grey's Anatomy," "The West Wing") also serve as executive producers. "How to Get Away with Murder" is produced by ABC Studios.

"How to Get Away with Murder" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound.

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