When NBC introduced Smash to us, it was fair to wonder if the musical drama would follow in the footsteps of Glee in achieving solid ratings and popularity, or if it would go the way of Viva Laughlin. While Smash isn’t hitting Glee’s best numbers, it’s holding its own, especially considering Monday night at 10:00 hasn’t always been an easy time slot for the network (RIP The Playboy Club). While it’s not all that surprising that the network is set to renew the series, it’s certainly good news to those of us who’ve been enjoying the drama unfold as the Marilyn Monroe musical comes together.
Deadline shared the news today that NBC has renewed Smash for a second season. As the site notes, Smash got off to a good part, thanks in part to the hype, and to the Super Bowl lead-in for its premiere. The series, which now airs after The Voice on Monday nights, is NBC’s highest-rated drama among adults 18-49, with 7.7 million viewers.
Smash stars Anjelica Huston, Debra Messing, Megan Hilty, Jack Davenport, and Katharine McPhee, and follows the development of a Broadway musical. While part of the draw is the budding rivalry of Hilty and McPhee’s characters, as one is playing Marilyn and the other was up for the role, but assigned to the chorus, there are developments among the other characters that really push Smash toward being an ensemble show, and one that’s brimming with talent. And the music is exceptional. Hopefully the story will hold up as the series moves forward. In the meantime, the show will go on, into a second season.
Smash isn't the only new NBC series set to move forward. Grimm also received an pickup by the network.
