Theresa Rebeck

Smash's New Boss Tries to Turn Hate-Watchers into Hope-Watchers in Season 2

• Feb 4, 2013 09:51 PM ET
• by Kate Stanhope

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... read more

Smash's Second Season: A Tale of Two Musicals and Less Scarves

• Jan 6, 2013 09:41 PM ET
• by Kate Stanhope

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... read more

Smash Scoop: Four Actors Leaving in Season 2

• May 22, 2012 05:32 PM ET
• by Natalie Abrams

Best Smash news ever? Dev and Ellis are out!

Raza Jaffrey and Jaime Cepero will not return for the second season of NBC's musical series, TVGuide.com has confirmed. Additionally, Brian d'Arcy and Will Chase have also been axed from Season 2, though... read more

Smash Scoop! Gossip Girl's Josh Safran Nearing Deal to Serve as Showrunner

• Apr 25, 2012 12:15 AM ET
• by Denise Martin and Natalie Abrams

Smash has found itself a new lead.

Gossip Girl executive producer Josh Safran is finalizing a deal to replace outgoing boss Theresa Rebeck as showrunner in Season 2, sources have confirmed to TVGuide.com. Rebeck... read more

Matt's TV Week in Review

• Mar 30, 2012 05:59 PM ET
• by Matt Roush

There's music that sticks with you — like Megan's can't-get-it-out-of-your-head "Zou Bisou Bisou" birthday party bump and grind from Mad Men — and music you can't wait to forget: as in whatever the hell Katharine McPhee was screaming on that revolving mattress-prison during the ambush production number on Smash's worst episode to date.

Which seems an appropriate way to begin our medley of some of the week's notable hits and misses.