NBC Cancels ‘Smash’ After Two Seasons

The show is over for Smash. 

NBC has opted to cancel the much maligned Broadway musical drama starring Debra Messing, Katherine McPhee and Megan Hilty. After a dismal return to NBC’s 2012-13 schedule, the drama –which was rebooted under new showrunner Josh Safran– was bumped to Saturdays in March.

Despite the infusion of Broadway stars, an arc by Jennifer Hudson and cameos from Rosie O’Donnell and Liza Minelli, among others, the once lauded series is averaging a measly 0.8 among adults 18-49 and just under 3 million total viewers — a far cry from its Voice-boosted freshman run.

PHOTOS: Broadcast TV’s Returning Shows 2013-14

The high-profile drama was a passion project for the NBC entertainment chairman, Bob Greenblatt, who brought the drama with him from his former post at Showtime. The episodic cost of Smash was said to in the neighborhood of $4 million, largely in part to pricey production numbers and a large ensemble cast.

Smash, which counted Steven Spielberg among its executive producers, will complete its 17-episode sophomore season on May 26, with Safran acknowledging that the final episode was crafted as a “series finale.”

Related Stories

Related Story

'Smash' Producers 'Disappointed' by Viewership, Stars Urge Fans to Rally