'Scandal' cast reflects on reaching 100th episode and memorable fan moments

— -- In celebration of its 100th episode, the cast of "Scandal" appeared on "Good Morning America" today and talked about reaching the milestone.

"We all have insane levels of gratitude that people watch, that people tweet, that people talk about it with each other and join us for an hour every week," said Kerry Washington. "It means a lot to us. There are a lot of people in my life I don't get to spend an hour a week with. So the fact that people, millions of people, take an hour out of their week to be with us means a great deal to us."

When asked why he thinks "Scandal" resonates with so many people, Joe Morton credited the show's humanity.

"Between the politics and between the affairs and ... just what goes on within this group of people, on camera, I think that's what brings them back," he said. "It's a page turner. You want to know what's going to happen in the next episode."

Joshua Malina chimed in, saying with a laugh, "And the male eye candy. It's a good combination of things."

The actors admitted that, like viewers, they are surprised by the show's shocking twists and turns. Sudden character deaths have even given creator Shonda Rhimes opportunities for practical jokes.

"I got horribly pranked by Shonda," Malina said. "She wrote, just for my script alone, an ending that included my character, David, dying. And I, of course, I did my usual thing. When I thought she was looking away, I flipped to the end, and I was sitting next to Scott [Foley and said], 'I think I die — pretty sure I die in this episode.'" I had about 90 seconds of terror. And then I looked at Bellamy [Young]'s script ... She [Rhimes] had me for a good minute and a half."

"We almost had him," Katie Lowes joked. "Almost."

The cast members said they've experienced some interesting moments with fans during the run of the show, now in its sixth season.

"I think we were going to 'Good Morning America' or leaving, and the throng of passion and number of people literally sort of rocked the bus," Jeff Perry said, laughing. "And I remember looking to each of us and going, 'It's our Beatles moment.'"

Tony Goldwyn recalled one female admirer moving in for a kiss and an encounter with a fellow traveler. "I got pulled into the galley of an airplane, and [someone] says, 'You need to forgive Olivia,'" he said.

As for show predictions, the cast guesses that by the end of it all, Mellie will be the first female president of the United States.

The 100th episode of "Scandal" premieres tonight on ABC.