Courtesy of HBO

Reid Scott in HBO's "Veep," which airs Sunday nights.

Great Scott

Brief bursts of activity directed by someone else. Lots of hand waving and photo ops. Hours of twiddling thumbs in private, waiting to be called on set. And with a lucky break—the coveted role is suddenly available—an overnight ascension to becoming the biggest, most powerful star on the planet.

Kerry Washington dish on her new show "Scandal," D.C. insiders and where she likes to visit when in town.

Ms. Fix It

When scandal hits the powerful, few of us can ignore the headlines—or the sordid details. Some of us even gleefully peck at the carcasses of our fallen idols, laughing at late-night jokes, gossiping over water coolers, posting viral videos. Scandal is fun, right?

Jennifer Lopez's Latest Role: Boys and Girls Clubs

Before 55 million albums sold, the films, the fashion spreads, the clothing line, the perfume and “American Idol”—yes, before J. Lo was a brand and as much a part of the great American commercial landscape as Disney—Jennifer Lopez was just another skinny dancer from the South Bronx.

Claire Danes stars as CIA agent Carrie Mathison in Showtime's "Homeland."

Claire Danes: Look Homeward, Agent

It’s been more than 16 years since Claire Danes, now 32, starred in a television series. Which is a lifetime, quite literally, for the teenage character that first made her famous, 15-year-old Angela Chase in “My So-Called Life,” the role that earned the actress an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe Award in 1995. Only 19 episodes aired before the show’s abrupt (and hotly contested) cancellation, yet Danes’ take on a yearning, self-aware sophomore suffering the indignities of high school is the stuff of TV legend.

Photos by: Adam Hendershott

Esai Morales stars in 2011 Sundance Film Festival winner "Gun Hill Road."

Esai Morales: Film Patriarch

When actor Esai Morales launched the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (hispanicarts.org) in 1997 with fellow actors Jimmy Smits, Sonia Braga and Merel Julia, plus attorney Felix Sanchez, the idea was to foster a Latino creative community that took care of its own. The organization, which is headquartered right here in Washington, nurtures young talent while providing all-important access to the entertainment industry.

"By the time I’d visited 13 countries, I had 650 pages of diaries,” says Ashley Judd about the genesis of her new book, All That Is Bitter and Sweet. She also stars in the upcoming family drama, "Dolphin Tale" (above).

Ashley Judd: Acting Up in Washington

Ashley Judd leads a remarkable life. And no one knows this better than Ashley Judd.

This is a woman, after all, who finds herself touring the slums of India one week, mingling with the glitterati at a Hollywood premiere the next, only to testify before Congress in D.C. days later to demand aid for the world’s most vulnerable peoples or for the ethical treatment of animals.

Michelle Kwan: New Woman in Washington

Hillary Clinton, have you heard? Michelle Kwan is looking for a job.

You might want to consider her, Madame Secretary. The two-time Olympian, who earns her master’s degree in international affairs in May from Tufts University’s Fletcher School in Medford, Mass., sports a resume that spins circles (and maybe jumps a few triple axels) around her fellow applicants.

Americans have so much pride in their local cuisine, says Jamie Oliver, whether "on a mountain in Arizona with the Navajo or in the bayou of Louisiana..."

American Pie

British chef, international TV personality, best-selling author, nutrition revolutionary, world-renowned restaurateur—these are the obvious descriptions for famous foodie and father-of-four Jamie Oliver.

But L.A. homeboy? Southern soul man? Western ranch-hand?

Blair Underwood stars in NBC's "The Event."

Actor Blair Underwood Talks TV, the White House and His Passion for Travel

Heads turn as actor Blair Underwood arrives at his favorite Los Angeles brunch spot, Aroma Café in Studio City, Calif., to meet with Washington Flyer. While none of the patrons abruptly stand up or start humming “Hail to the Chief” as he makes his way to a table outside, even the busy baristas stop to soak in the near-presidential swagger of Underwood’s gait.

Harrison Ford stars with Diane Keaton in "Morning Glory," opening Nov. 12.

Harrison Ford: Man in His Glory

Harrison Ford is a total gentleman. Polite to a fault, he meets me at my car for our Flyer interview at his office at the Santa Monica Airport, where he houses three private planes and a helicopter.

This is not exactly standard protocol for those on the A-list in L.A. If anything, I expect to negotiate a publicist, a manager and maybe an assistant—and wait 10 minutes or more with each—before being ushered in to meet His Royal Movie Star, ranked last year by Forbes magazine as the highest-paid actor in Hollywood.