TV News

Broadway-themed Television Series Smash Has Been Canceled

After two seasons, NBC pulls the plug on the television show about the making of a Broadway musical.

Artwork for <i>Smash</i>
Artwork for Smash
(© courtesy of NBC)

Smash, NBC’s insider series about the making of a Broadway musical, has been canceled, says Deadline.com. On the heels of FOX’s musical series Glee, Smash hoped to earn an adult fan base the way the former high school-themed show has for a younger crowd. The truth, though, is that both series have attracted a viewership across a wide span of ages.

Filled with insider New York theater tidbits, Smash‘s dialogue was seen as a treat to Broadway aficionados. Many felt, however, that so many specific references alienated potential viewers who weren’t in the know.

Smash has struggled in ratings since the start of its second season, which began under a new writing leadership. The series was a project of personal interest to NBC top executive Bob Greenblatt. The show had originally been pitched to Showtime.

Smash starred a slew of Broadway favorites in both recurring and guest roles. These notables included Megan Hilty (Wicked), Tony Award winner Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher), Ann Harada (Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella), Jeremy Jordan (Newsies), Wesley Taylor (The Addams Family), Savannah Wise (Ragtime), Brian d’Arcy James (Giant), and Krysta Rodriguez (The Addams Family). Emmy Award winner Debra Messing (Will & Grace) also starred alongside Anjelica Huston, Jack Davenport, Katharine McPhee, and Leslie Odum Jr. Tony Award-winning composer-lyricists Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Catch Me If You Can) contributed songs.

A recent airing-night reassignment from Tuesdays to Saturdays was said by many to indicate a forthcoming demise for what had become a cult-favorite series. Deadline.com did not indicate whether any previously filmed unaired episodes would be shown.

Check out TheaterMania.com’s on-location video with Smash below: