Smash

2011 • NBC
4.6
598 reviews
TV-14
Rating
Eligible
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Season 1 episodes (15)

1 Pilot
2/6/12
The hit-making Broadway writing team of Julia Houston (Debra Messing) and Tom Levitt (Christian Borle) unites with producer Eileen Rand (Anjelica Huston) to create a new musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe, and seasoned chorus girl Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) vies with newcomer Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee) for the dream role. Jack Davenport, Raza Jaffrey, Brian d'Arcy James and Jaime Cepero also star.
2 The Callback
2/13/12
Ivy (Megan Hilty) and Karen (Katharine McPhee) jump through hoops for the brilliant but temperamental director Derek Wills (Jack Davenport) as they pursue the role of a lifetime. Meanwhile, Julia (Debra Messing) and her husband Frank (Brian d'Arcy James), are frustrated by the red tape of an international adoption process, and Eileen (Anjelica Huston) fights to finance her new musical in the midst of an acrimonious divorce. Christian Borle, Raza Jaffrey, and Jaime Cepero also star.
3 Enter Mr. DiMaggio
2/20/12
The search begins for a Joe DiMaggio to play opposite Marilyn - but everyone's first choice, Michael (guest star Will Chase), has a secret. Karen (Katharine McPhee) returns to Iowa for a baby shower and must decide what she wants for her future. Eileen (Anjelica Huston) begins rounding up investors - but ex-husband Jerry (guest star Michael Cristofer) may already have poisoned the well.
4 The Cost of Art
2/27/12
Karen (Katharine McPhee) must learn to advance in the high-stakes world of Broadway, as Derek (Jack Davenport) hosts a party for hot young star Lyle (guest star Nick Jonas). Eileen (Anjelica Huston) tries a sly new strategy for raising funds, while Tom (Christian Borle) goes on a first date. Debra Messing, Megan Hilty, Raza Jaffrey and Jaime Cepero also star.
5 Let's Be Bad
3/5/12
Karen (Katharine McPhee) finds a new use for her acting talents as she joins Dev (Raza Jaffrey) at a high-powered government party. The drama between Michael (guest star Will Chase) and Julia (Debra Messing) heats up, as Eileen (Anjelica Huston) and Tom's (Christian Borle) ambitious assistant Ellis (Jaime Cepero) forge an alliance. Ivy (Megan Hilty) senses trouble in her relationship with Derek (Jack Davenport). Will Chase guest stars.
6 Chemistry
3/12/12
Ivy (Megan Hilty) faces major problems as her voice begins to fail her. Julia (Debra Messing) struggles to avoid Michael (guest star Will Chase) - but she can't. Eileen (Anjelica Huston) explores her inner hipster at a downtown dive bar with her new pal Ellis (Jaime Cepero), while Karen (Katharine McPhee) is an even bigger fish out of water, as she books a side gig at a bar mitzvah on Long Island. Jack Davenport, Christian Borle, Raza Jaffrey and Brian d'Arcy James also star. Will Chase guest stars.
7 The Workshop
3/19/12
Everything comes to a head as Eileen (Anjelica Huston), Derek (Jack Davenport) and the team present "Marilyn The Musical" to would-be investors. Ivy (Megan Hilty) is under pressure to perform, while her mother, Broadway star Leigh Conroy (special guest Bernadette Peters), undermines her at every turn. Karen (Katharine McPhee) must decide between the workshop and a meeting with a big-time music producer. Julia (Debra Messing) and Michael (guest star Will Chase) must face up to the consequences of their actions. Jack Davenport, Christian Borle, Raza Jaffrey, Brian d'Arcy James and Jaime Cepero also star. Bernadette Peters and Will Chase guest star.
8 The Coup
3/26/12
The team deals with the aftermath of the workshop. Ivy (Megan Hilty) remains in the dark about her fate, while Derek (Jack Davenport) recruits Karen (Katharine McPhee) to help him steal the musical from Tom and Julia (Christian Borle and Debra Messing). Eileen (Anjelica Huston) must face up to her ex-husband, Jerry (guest star Michael Cristofer), when their daughter Katie (guest star Grace Gummer) pays a surprise visit from India. Raza Jaffrey, Brian d'Arcy James and Jaime Cepero also star. Grace Gummer, Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic and Michael Cristofer guest star.
9 Hell on Earth
4/2/12
The team begins their pursuit of a marquee star, as Eileen (Anjelica Huston) charges Tom and Julia (Christian Borle and Debra Messing) with finding a title for the newly reinvigorated musical. Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty) find themselves in competition again -- this time for an orange juice commercial. Relationship troubles abound, as Frank (Brian d'Arcy James) makes an unwelcome discovery. Jack Davenport, Raza Jaffrey and Jaime Cepero also star.
10 Understudy
4/9/12
The show has landed a star, the mercurial Rebecca Duvall (guest star Uma Thurman), but Eileen (Anjelica Huston) is thrown into a panic when Rebecca gets stuck in Cuba. Derek (Jack Davenport) puts Karen (Katharine McPhee) in as understudy, but she must learn to perform under extreme pressure as he threatens to break her will. Tom and Julia (Christian Borle and Debra Messing) celebrate their anniversary with a ritual - and face some hard truths about what show business can do to relationships. Megan Hilty, Raza Jaffrey and Jaime Cepero also star. Uma Thurman guest stars.
11 The Movie Star
4/16/12
Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty) are drawn into an uneasy alliance against their new rival -- but can they overcome their history? The romance between Tom (Christian Borle) and Sam (Leslie Odom, Jr.) heats up, while Julia (Debra Messing) and Frank (Brian D'Arcy James) must put aside their differences to address a family crisis. Dev (Raza Jaffrey) faces a big decision. Anjelica Huston and Jack Davenport also star.
12 Publicity
4/23/12
What will Karen's ascent mean to her relationship with Dev (Raza Jaffrey)? And will Rebecca drive Derek (Jack Davenport) insane? Eileen (Anjelica Huston) introduces new beau Nick (guest star Thorsten Kaye) to ex-husband Jerry (guest star Michael Cristofer), while Julia (Debra Messing) panics when her son Leo (Emory Cohen) goes missing. Megan Hilty and Christian Borle also star.
13 Tech
4/30/12
Ivy (Megan Hilty) faces trouble as Derek (Jack Davenport) finds himself drawn ever closer to Rebecca Duvall (special guest Uma Thurman), while Karen (Katharine McPhee) reaches a turning point -- she must choose between Dev (Raza Jaffrey) and the show. Eileen (Anjelica Huston) faces off against Julia (Debra Messing) over the possible return of Michael Swift (Will Chase). Sam (Leslie Odom, Jr.) brings Tom (Christian Borle) into the biggest battle of all -- family dinner.
14 Previews
5/7/12
"Bombshell" faces its first audience just as a major crisis hits Rebecca Duvall (special guest star Uma Thurman). The team of Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) scramble to fix the show when the first preview falls short, and Frank (Brian D'Arcy James) must adjust to the unwelcome return of Michael Swift (Will Chase) to his life. Dev (Raza Jaffrey) seeks reconciliation with Karen (Katharine McPhee), but explosive information about Ivy (Megan Hilty) lurks just beneath the surface. Jack Davenport and Anjelica Huston also star.
15 Bombshell
5/14/12
The big night is finally here. Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) race against time to save the show, while Derek (Jack Davenport) makes a decision that will change the lives of Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty) forever. Ellis (Jaime Cepero) reveals his true colors. But when he finally makes his move to save "Bombshell," will it be for or against Eileen (Anjelica Huston)? In the midst of it all, another bombshell goes off -- this one is in Karen and Dev's (Raza Jaffrey) relationship.

About this show

This innovative and provocative dramatic musical series takes a look at the messy and compelling process that goes into the production of an original Broadway musical. It starts with a successful songwriting team, portrayed by Debra Messing and Christian Borle, who begin work on a new musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. Then comes a tenacious producer (Anjelica Huston) with something to prove. The excitement grows once casting of the title role begins. From there it's a rollercoaster ride that will culminate on opening night when the audience will determine whether or not the show is a Smash.

Ratings and reviews

4.6
598 reviews
Tanner Luther
April 21, 2013
My family and I watch this show every Tuesday (now Saturday). While the story takes its sweet time to unfold, it's still very well done. I really hope they make a season 3, though I doubt they will, since NBC seems to have given up on it.
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LeftCoast LiberalFoodie
August 4, 2013
The show and it's creator both got bad raps. It was quite good; I think it started falling apart with the loss of the creator, got better with season 2 with "Hit List" and Jimmy. I miss the show. I picked up extended cable just for reruns on Ovation Network.
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Maggie Hall
April 6, 2013
When this show began, I had high hopes for it showing a legitimate actor in new york experiance. It had broadway gold in Christian Borles and Megan Hilty, and the first few episodes were fantastic. Then came series two. This new writer has killed all that was interesting, and managed to make even Jeremy Jordan looks flat. This new showrunner tanked, and she brought the show down with her.
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