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Season 2 – Smash

Play trailer Poster for Season 2 – Smash 2013 Drama Music Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
54% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
A successful songwriting duo of industry veterans, Julia and Tom have an opportunity to create another Broadway hit, but making it to opening night isn't easy. When tenacious producer Eileen joins the project, a musical based on the life of iconic actress Marilyn Monroe, a rivalry for the lead role percolates between a beautiful novice and a stage veteran who is hoping to catch her big break. While the production is being prepped for opening night, real life has a tendency to get in the way: Julia and her husband are in the midst of a complicated adoption; the producer's divorce proceedings could threaten the production's finances; and the director could derail everything if he puts the star in a compromising position.
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Smash — Season 2

Smash — Season 2

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Save for some more great musical numbers, this season sees Smash descend into tangled plots and convoluted relationships.

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Critics Reviews

View All (26) Critics Reviews
Charles Isherwood New York Times Its failure wasn't so much that it didn't reflect the real workings of Broadway; it never came close to reflecting any aspect of the real world. May 16, 2013 Full Review Alan Sepinwall HitFix Smash is fundamentally the same show with the same problems. Rated: C Feb 9, 2013 Full Review Ken Tucker Entertainment Weekly My pleasure in watching Smash has to do with an admiration for the Harold Hill-like hustle and jive the TV show tries to pull off on its audience. Feb 5, 2013 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand ... warbles between contrived backstage drama and soap opera silliness. Apr 30, 2025 Full Review Ethan Alter Television Without Pity Farewell, Smash, you'll always be our giant mess of a star. Aug 8, 2013 Full Review Matt Roush TV Guide The music and lavish production numbers were almost always a treat. May 24, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (5) audience reviews
Audience Member Deeply flawed, but highly entertaining. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member The second season was Blah, but I still highly suggest season one to all musical fans. This beautiful musical probably has some of the best music I have ever heard. Every lyric and instrument is perfect, and I absolutely love some of the dances and scenes on stage. The good thing is, you don't have to be a fan of musicals to like this show. There isn't TOO much music, maybe about 3-4 songs an episode (1 song every 10 minutes unlike a film musical's 2 every 10 minutes). I was also pleasantly surprised with the acting. All TV shows are usually quite dramatic and overacted unlike some movies. However almost all of the actors on this show did a GREAT job, even the new comers. Of course, the cast was wonderful- you had an Oscar winner, a Tony winner, and many real live Broadway actresses. I loved 99% of the characters. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Save for some more great musical numbers, this season sees Smash descend into tangled plots and convoluted relationships. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Great show, great actors, great writing! Just... great! ;-) This show made me laugh and cry with every episode and I'm not easy to please when it comes to TV series'. There were a few predictable moments, but the flare and characters kept it exciting! Please, I want some more! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member An amazing talented cast comes together to give the audience a taste of music, betrayal, romance, and the fight for fame. Whether it's Broadway star Megan Hilty or Academy Award Winner Anjelica Huston, someone is always surprising you with a character development or a magical song! A highly underrated musical drama with plenty of plot twists and passion. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Smash — Season 2

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Cast & Crew

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Debra Messing

Julia Houston

Christian Borle

Tom Levitt

Katharine McPhee

Karen Cartwright

Jack Davenport

Derek Wills

Megan Hilty

Ivy Lynn

Anjelica Huston

Eileen Rand

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Feb 5, 2013 On Broadway The cast and crew return to New York, but a financial scandal could jeopardize the show. Details Episode 2 Aired Feb 5, 2013 The Fallout A gala for the theatre community brings out multiple issues for the creative team. Details Episode 3 Aired Feb 19, 2013 The Dramaturg Julia and Tom are asked to work with a new collaborator; Kyle and Jimmy present their work; Derek tries to make amends with Ronnie; Ivy receives some help from an old friend. Details Episode 4 Aired Feb 26, 2013 The Song Karen orchestrates a huge opportunity for Jimmy and Kyle; Peter challenges Julia as they continue to work together; Eileen faces a moral crossroads that has significant ramifications for Bombshell. Details Episode 5 Aired Mar 5, 2013 The Read-Through Tom's suspicions of Peter increase Julia's unease; Jimmy and Kyle worry about the first reading of "Hit List"; Ivy meets her new co-star; Karen wonders if Jimmy is trustworthy. Details Episode 6 Aired Mar 12, 2013 The Fringe Derek and Karen must make a difficult decision; a complication arises in Jerry and Eileen's partnership; Ivy makes a final effort to save her and Terry's show, with unexpected results. Details Episode 7 Aired Mar 19, 2013 Musical Chairs Conflicts arise as Karen, Tom, Julia and Derek adjust to new surroundings; Eileen's daughter may be the key to saving "Bombshell." Details Episode 8 Aired Mar 26, 2013 The Bells and Whistles Tom ends up in an awkward situation when Ivy brings Sam back to town; Jimmy and Derek's visions clash; Karen and Ana try to stand up for what they want. Details Episode 9 Aired Apr 2, 2013 The Parents When Ivy's mother joins the cast of "Bombshell," Tom must diffuse the tension between them; Ana's newfound success and a surprise visitor threaten Karen and Jimmy's connection; information about Jimmy's past is revealed. Details Episode 10 Aired Apr 6, 2013 The Surprise Party With Liza Minnelli's help, Tom plans a surprise for Ivy; as rehearsals for "Hit List" comes to a close, tensions between Jimmy, Karen and Derek explode; Richard asks Eileen to spend more time with him. Details Episode 11 Aired Apr 13, 2013 The Dress Rehearsal Tom's desire to prove himself may not be the best thing for the show; a mishap forces Ivy to make a decision; Karen becomes suspicious Derek's intentions. Details Episode 12 Aired Apr 20, 2013 Opening Night Ivy gets support from an unexpected place when she is overcome by nerves on opening night; Tom and Julia consider their next project; Eileen's problems with Richard come to a head; Jimmy talks to Karen about his past. Details Episode 13 Aired Apr 27, 2013 The Producers Jimmy threatens "Hit List's" future; Tom and Julia's partnership is strained; Ivy, Eileen and the team run themselves ragged. Details Episode 14 Aired May 4, 2013 The Phenomenon "Bombshell" and "Hit List" are bonded by an unexpected event. Details Episode 15 Aired May 11, 2013 The Transfer Tom pulls out all the stops during a Houston & Levitt tribute night; Ivy worries that performing a risque number will damage her reputation; a betrayal leaves the cast of "Hit List" shaken. Details Episode 16 Aired May 26, 2013 The Nominations Tom has a run-in with an influential Tony voter; Ivy receives distracting news; Derek's past impacts the "Hit List" team. Details Episode 17 Aired May 26, 2013 The Tonys The night of the Tony Awards arrives; Jimmy is faced with a final reckoning. Details

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Smash — Season 2

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Season Info

Executive Producer
Steven Spielberg, Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Theresa Rebeck, David Marshall Grant
Network
NBC
Rating
TV-14 (D)
Genre
Drama, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date
Feb 5, 2013
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