Unpacking The Toolbox

Shondaland Audio and iHeartPodcasts

Shondaland Audio in partnership with iHeartPodcasts present: Unpacking The Toolbox. Each week, BFFs and Scandal co-stars Katie Lowes and Guillermo Diaz dive into an episode of Scandal, reliving their favorite memories from the set and breaking down the episode with plenty of behind-the-scenes stories and even more laughs. Joined by some of their fellow Scandal stars, Katie and Guillermo are sure to cover it all from the Olitz romance to the down-and-dirty deeds as Huckleberry Quinn. Calling all #Gladiators – Come join the Scandal fam for new episodes every Thursday, starting February 9th.

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Our Editor's Take

Unpacking The Toolbox is the ultimate rewatch podcast for fans of the TV show Scandal. Best friends and costars Guillermo Diaz and Katie Lowes want to rewatch the show with their much-loved Scandal community. Scandal fans know the hosting duo as "Huckleberry Quinn," as they played Quinn and Huck on the ABC drama. The duo answers questions from super fans known as the "Gladiators." Plus, they read out top tweets about the show, so listeners should expect a lot of laughter!

Scandal, ABC's legal and political drama, is a thrilling tale of deception. Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington, is the head of a crisis management company. Her firm works to protect the secrets of essential people within American politics. Tony Goldwyn plays the president. Viewers may know him for starring in the Ghost and Nixon films. The show follows the relationship between Olivia and the president and the workings of the White House. The Unpacking The Toolbox podcast goes through each episode of the program. Cast cohost Huck plays a former secret agent who swears to protect Olivia and her team. Quinn joins Olivia's firm with a new identity following the murder of her boyfriend. The pair share stories from their time on the show and their favorite memories on set.

Not only will listeners hear from Huckleberry Quinn, but they'll also hear from guests. The first podcast episode invites the show's creator, Shonda Rhimes, to start the series. Shonda discusses the pilot episode, favorite storylines, and how it all began. The iconic Kerry Washington joins for a special episode. They discuss her casting story and her relationships on the show. Huck also praises her for her respect for background actors on set.

Unpacking The Toolbox is an entertaining Scandal rewatch podcast. For anyone new to the show, it's a great companion when watching for the first time. The show ran from 2012 to 2018, with seven scandalous seasons to enjoy. Listening to the two stars chatting about the show feels like being among friends. There's lots of laughter and funny stories to enjoy.

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Bridgerton The Official Podcast Returns on May 2nd!
Today
Bridgerton The Official Podcast Returns on May 2nd!
Hi, UTT listeners! We are super excited about the return of Bridgerton: The Official Podcast and want you to share in the excitement with us. Alongside a new season of the TV show the companion podcast, which takes you behind the scenes through interviews with actors, writers, directors, and more. We think you'll want to tune in, but don't just take our word for it. Check out the trailer and decide for yourself! Ready for more? Tune in weekly to Bridgerton: The Official Podcast. Available on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episodes

Bridgerton The Official Podcast Returns on May 2nd!
Today
Bridgerton The Official Podcast Returns on May 2nd!
Hi, UTT listeners! We are super excited about the return of Bridgerton: The Official Podcast and want you to share in the excitement with us. Alongside a new season of the TV show the companion podcast, which takes you behind the scenes through interviews with actors, writers, directors, and more. We think you'll want to tune in, but don't just take our word for it. Check out the trailer and decide for yourself! Ready for more? Tune in weekly to Bridgerton: The Official Podcast. Available on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
306: Icarus w/ RuPaul's Drag Race Winner, Symone
Yesterday
306: Icarus w/ RuPaul's Drag Race Winner, Symone
What do RuPaul’s Drag Race and Scandal have in common? It turns out, quite a lot! Season 13 winner, Symone, was (and still is) a Scandal superfan. Symone joins Katie and Guillermo in gushing over highlights of the series, including some facts about the show that Symone knows more details about! Then, Katie and Guillermo break down a very emotional episode as Olivia confronts the truth about her mom’s death. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
305: More Cattle, Less Bull w/ Scott Foley
May 9 2024
305: More Cattle, Less Bull w/ Scott Foley
Since Scott Foley, aka Jake Ballard, was notorious for fart noises in set, which spread through the rest of the Scandal cast, it’s only appropriate that this episode comes with a content warning: Gas. But when Scott, Katie and Guillermo aren’t discussing mouth noises, they deep dive into how Scott got cast on Scandal, then RE-CAST on Scandal, and the infamous basketball scene with President Fitz.  What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the show, about food, about life, but mostly about the show. We would love to hear from you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
304: Say Hello To My Little Friend w/ Melora Hardin
May 2 2024
304: Say Hello To My Little Friend w/ Melora Hardin
The unbelievably famous and talented Melora Hardin joins Katie and Guillermo as they break down her guest appearance in a classic case-of-the-week episode. Guillermo is shocked (and horrified) to learn that Melora hasn’t watched TV in 22 years. And Katie gushes over an up-doo French Twist while Melora shares her experiences getting cast on Scandal and The Office. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the show, about food, about life, but mostly about the show. We would love to hear from you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
303: Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington w/ Cynthia Stevenson
Apr 25 2024
303: Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington w/ Cynthia Stevenson
In a new case-of-the-week style episode, guest star Cynthia Stevenson joins Katie and Guillermo to break down an explosive episode. Plus, Katie shares some secret info about Kerry Washington’s time on set. Then Cynthia talks about her style of method acting while Guillermo gushes over a new favorite horror movie connection.  What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the show, about food, about life, but mostly about the show. We would love to hear from you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
302: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner w/ Kerry Washington
Apr 18 2024
302: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner w/ Kerry Washington
Katie and Guillermo are no strangers to working on the weekend from their time on Scandal, and they’d record any time day or night, or over a cliff, for the one-and-only Kerry Washington. Kerry shares never-before-told stories from her newly-published book, and deep dives into the development of Olivia’s character. Plus, the OPA team answers your burning fan questions. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the show, about food, about life, but mostly about the show. We would love to hear from you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
301: It’s Handled w/ Tom Verica
Apr 11 2024
301: It’s Handled w/ Tom Verica
We’re back through Hell or High Water! Shondaland royalty, director Tom Verica, joins Katie & Guillermo for the inaugural episode of Season 3 to discuss Kerry’s unbelievable acting in this episode, and the shocking reveals of Papa Pope. Plus Guillermo and Tom reminisce about a blooper with a shake-weight, and Tom shares his favorite recording session from his time on Scandal. Then Katie asks Tom about directing love scenes and all the… spit. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the show, about food, about life, but mostly about the show. We would love to hear from you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Unpacking The Toolbox Season 2 Launches April 11th!
Apr 4 2024
Unpacking The Toolbox Season 2 Launches April 11th!
We’re back through Hell or High Water! Unpacking The Toolbox premieres with brand new episodes every Thursday starting April 11th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
216: Top of the Hour
Mar 28 2024
216: Top of the Hour
As Quinn gets the spotlight of this week’s episode, Katie and G gush over some of their favorite moments including a never-before-shared story about an rewritten line from the pilot. But wait – there’s always room for a mid-way tangent about Rosie O'Donnell, before they get into some of the best Tweets of the season so far. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
215: Boom Goes the Dynamite w/ Sam Page
Mar 21 2024
215: Boom Goes the Dynamite w/ Sam Page
Kicking off the first of what’s sure-to-be many amazing guest star interviews, Katie and Guillermo invite Sam Page (Will Caldwell) to dig into his experience on set as a short-term star. Katie and G can’t stop laughing at Huck’s stank in this episode, and Sam admits how nervous he was working with Kerry Washington. And was an unfortunate first table read the reason it took Sam almost ten years to become a series regular on a Shondaland show? Probably not, but the story behind it is hilarious.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
214: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Mar 14 2024
214: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
This is a special episode for Katie and Guillermo, and not just because the episode's title is secretly a bad word. This is the first time we see Huckleberry Quinn, and both Katie and Guillermo are questionably attracted to depressed-angry-sexy-post-bullet-head Fitz. Plus Katie breaks down Fitz and Olivia's hottest sex yet… inside a church maintenance closet at baby Fitz's christening. Classy!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
213: Nobody Likes Babies w/ Debra Mooney
Mar 7 2024
213: Nobody Likes Babies w/ Debra Mooney
Nobody Likes Babies, originally meant to be the season finale, was a turning point for the show – There’s no going back after the events in this episode, with Fitz’ dramatic choice. Katie and Guillermo unpack the twists and turns with the esteemed Debra Mooney, AKA Supreme Court Justice Verna Thornton, including diving into Debra’s acting history and what she was really doing in the coffin during her final scene… Plus, are Katie and Guillermo officially getting old (and sleepy)?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
212: Truth or Consequences w/ Adam Shapiro
Feb 29 2024
212: Truth or Consequences w/ Adam Shapiro
Adam Shapiro who plays the infamous Jesse Tyler joins Katie & Guillermo to relive life on set, getting blown up and what it’s like to be married to another actor on Scandal… Katie! Plus, Katie and Guillermo merge their love for food with their dislike for rodents as they talk about eating… Guinea pigs. And, Jesse’s death marks the first (chronological) member of the Scandal body count, a brand new segment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
211: A Criminal, A Whore, An Idiot, And a Liar
Feb 22 2024
211: A Criminal, A Whore, An Idiot, And a Liar
Olivia Pope delivers one heck of a knockout speech at the top of episode 211, so naturally Katie & Guillermo gush over their favorite performances from Kerry Washington. Then, Katie dives into what it was like to get news that she wouldn’t be in this episode. Plus, Guillermo learns that Director Tom Verica had a famous role in theatre before he got into directing. This episode is NOT Sponsored by Sialis or Subway.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
210: One For the Dog
Feb 15 2024
210: One For the Dog
Guillermo was once accused of killing Joe Morton (Eli Pope), which he definitely didn’t do. And Katie shares a story of a stalker who kept calling her after Scandal ended. From talks of waterboarding practice runs on set to a debate about Olivia Pope’s amazing gloves, this episode has it all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
209: Blown Away w/ Darby Stanchfield
Feb 8 2024
209: Blown Away w/ Darby Stanchfield
Katie and Guillermo practice their eye-hugging with the one and only Darby Stanchfield, AKA Sassy Abby, AKA Big Red, AKA Abby Whelan! Darby shares the story of her stare-down with Shonda Rhimes and what it was like to silently stick her fingers in Joshua Malina’s mouth... Plus, Katie & Guillermo dive into important moments from the episode, like when Huck finally gets laid.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
208: Happy Birthday Mr. President
Feb 1 2024
208: Happy Birthday Mr. President
Written by Shonda Rhimes herself, Happy Birthday Mr. President is one of the most memorable episodes of Scandal, and Katie & Guillermo laugh, cry and swoon over all the iconic scenes of Olitz. In the hypothetical re-enactment of the episode, Katie thinks she’d be a better Fitz than Guillermo. And would G touch the declaration of independence if given the opportunity? Plus, memories of wrap presents from set. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
207: Defiance
Jan 25 2024
207: Defiance
Defiance is one of the most shocking episodes of all time with its twist ending, and Katie and Guillermo can’t wait to dive in. Don’t come hungry because Huck loves a hoagie, and this episode is a very food-forward conversation. Plus, as Katie says, this is the first time Quinn “isn’t dumb” as she’s on the trail to figure out if Huck was involved in her relocation. #WhatTheHuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
206: Spies Like Us
Jan 18 2024
206: Spies Like Us
It's time for one of Katie's favorite episodes, which marks the first time B613 is mentioned. Naturally this leads to a big discussion about ghosts and Monica Lewinsky's purse line. Then, Guillermo explains what it's like to use so many guns on set. And Katie points out two flaws in her acting that made it to the final version of the episode. Buckle in, this episode takes Katie & Guillermo on quite a... spin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
205: All Roads Lead To Fitz
Jan 11 2024
205: All Roads Lead To Fitz
Guillermo tells Katie about his appearance on Ellen where he met Madonna, showing off the large tattoo of her face on his arm. As Olivia Pope joins the other kingmakers of the Defiance Conspiracy, Katie and Guillermo have strong words for Edison Davis and his advances -- back off Senator Pudding Pop! It's Huck's first date with Becky Flynn and Guillermo recalls when Katie fixed his hair in a touching and unscripted moment. As a bonus, Katie shares a story to illustrate why you don't eat dairy on a first date (or a second or a third or a fourth).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.