No Third Act for Smash --- NBC Cancels Broadway Drama

The beat will not go for NBC's ambitious Broadway musical drama Smash, which  was canceled Friday after two seasons.

From executive producer Steven Spielberg and starring Emmy winner Debra Messing and Oscar winner Anjelica Huston, Smash was a notable hit for NBC last season when it followed The Voice on Monday nights. However, when some of the show's story lines became too far-fetched, the series became the unofficial posterchild for "hate-watching" and underwent major creative changes for its second season. Gossip Girl showrunner Josh Safran replaced creator Theresa Rebeck, and several series regulars were let go, including Raza Jaffrey, Brian D'Arcy James, Will Chase and Jaime Cepero, who played the universally despised Ellis.

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When Smash returned in February, it boasted several big-name guest stars including Jennifer Hudson and Sean Hayes. However, the ratings dipped sharply without its Voice lead-in, and NBC moved the series to Saturdays last month. Several of the show's stars, including Messing, had joined other network pilots.  

The most recent new episode of Smash attracted 2.28 million viewers and 0.5 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic. The show will, however, get a super-sized two-hour season finale on Sunday, May 26.

Are you sad that Smash isn't coming back?