All eyes are on Smash as the NBC musical drama prepares to unveil its second season on Tuesday (9/8c on NBC). But it's not because fans are dying to know whether Ivy (Megan Hilty) survived her possible pill overdose or if Karen (Katharine McPhee) ditched her cheating boyfriend — it's because fans are waiting to see just how much the Smash they loved, and more famously loved to hate, has changed its tune.
Premiering on NBC a year ago with impressive critical acclaim and almost inescapable advertising, Smash follows the creation of Bombshell, a new Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe, and the characters involved behind the scenes. Over the first season, ingénues Karen and Ivy tried to out-diva each other for the main role while juggling messy love lives, lyricist Julia (Debra Messing) cheated on...
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Barba Streisand will perform at the Academy Awards for the first time in 36 years.
"In an evening that celebrates the artistry of movies and music, how could the telecast be complete without Barbra Streisand?" producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron said in a statement. "We are honored that she has agreed to do a very special performance on this year's Oscars, her first time singing on the show in 36 years."
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Bad news, Smash fans. You may not have seen the last of Broadway's most annoying assistant just yet.
"Ellis is still alive," executive producer Neil Meron told reporters with a laugh at NBC's winter TV previews Sunday. "How could we forget Ellis?"
Much to the contrary, the much-maligned character is just one...
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The hills are alive!
NBC is planning a live broadcast of The Sound of Music, and Grammy winner Carrie Underwood has been cast in the lead role as Maria von Trapp, the network announced Friday.
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The curtains closed on Smash's first season with mediocre reviews, but the show must go on. With a major cast overhaul, including Jennifer Hudson headlining some big-name guest stars, things are looking up for Season 2, which returns to NBC in January.
Executive producer Neil Meron, who also produced the remake of Lifetime's Steel Magnolias, spilled some details at Magnolia's premiere. Hudson will...
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