'Scandal'-ous! Is pregnancy behind shorter Season 3?

Why would ABC shorten the third season of its hit show “Scandal?” Hmm. Perhaps due to the star’s due date? At least that’s the reason floating around the rumor mill.

According to several celebrity news outlets, Season 3 of “Scandal” will air only 18 episodes, a reduction from the 22 originally planned, because star Kerry Washington is set to give birth this spring. Us Weekly broke the news of Washington’s pregnancy in October, noting that the 36-year-old actress was expecting her first child with NFL player and husband Nnamdi Asomugha. The couple secretly wed in June.

Neither ABC nor Washington’s rep would confirm that the reason for the shortened season was the star’s due date. Guess we’ll just have to wait and find out in the spring!