Season Two

On March 22, 2012, NBC renewed Smash for a 15-episode second season. Source On August 27, 2012, Katharine McPhee that they had a table read for episode 5 and that they had 13 more episodes to go, indicating 18 episodes will be produced for this season. Source

Jeremy Jordan recently mentioned in an interview that there will be 17 episodes this season, so one episode may have been dropped due to scheduling. Source

The second season premiered on February 5, 2013 with unfavorable ratings.

On March 13, NBC announced a new lineup for some of its shows. It indicates Smash will be moved to Saturday's starting April 6, 2013 to burn off the rest of the second season. The new time will now be 9PM/8PM.

The series has been officially cancelled as of May 10, 2013.

Episodes[]

#	Title	Airdate
01	On Broadway	February 5, 2013
01	Back from a successful run in Boston, Eileen (Anjelica Huston),Julia (Debra Messing) and Tom (Christian Borle) are blindsided by both personal and professional obstacles as they seek to take "Bombshell" to Broadway. Karen (Katharine McPhee) consults her new mentor, Broadway star Veronica "Ronnie" Moore (guest star Jennifer Hudson), as she finds herself on the brink of fame, but her success may come at cost to Ivy (Megan Hilty ). A new talent (Jeremy Jordan) is discovered in an unexpected place. Meanwhile, Derek (Jack Davenport ) copes with a damaging accusation. Leslie Odom, Jr., Andy Mientus and Krysta Rodriguez also star. Jennifer Hudson, Harvey Fierstein, Thorsten Kaye, and Brian d'Arcy James guest star.
02	The Fallout	February 5, 2013
02	Back from a successful run in Boston, Eileen (Anjelica Huston), Julia (Debra Messing) and Tom (Christian Borle) are blindsided by both personal and professional obstacles as they seek to take "Bombshell" to Broadway. Karen (Katharine McPhee) consults her new mentor, Broadway star Veronica "Ronnie" Moore (guest star Jennifer Hudson), as she finds herself on the brink of fame, but her success may come at cost to Ivy (Megan Hilty). A new talent (Jeremy Jordan) is discovered in an unexpected place. Meanwhile, Derek (Jack Davenport) copes with a damaging accusation. Leslie Odom, Jr., Andy Mientus and Krysta Rodriguez also star. Jennifer Hudson, Harvey Fierstein, Thorsten Kaye, and Brian d'Arcy James guest star.
03	The Dramaturg	February 19, 2013
03	Partnerships are tested as Eileen (Anjelica Huston) asks Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) to contend with an unwelcome new collaborator, while Jimmy (Jeremy Jordan) and Kyle (Andy Mientus) prepare to present their work for the first time. Derek (Jack Davenport) attempts to get Ronnie (guest star Jennifer Hudson) back on his side. Ivy (Megan Hilty) finds it hard to move on, but help from an old friend might take her one step closer to her dream. Katharine McPhee also stars. Jennifer Hudson and Daniel Sunjata guest star.
04	The Song	February 26, 2013
04	Derek (Jack Davenport) calls in help for a special event, but Jimmy's (Jeremy Jordan) pride might get in the way of a huge opportunity Karen (Katharine McPhee) orchestrates for him and Kyle (Andy Mientus). Peter (guest star Daniel Sunjata) challenges Julia's (Debra Messing) pride as they continue to work together. Meanwhile, Ronnie (guest star Jennifer Hudson) struggles to assert her independence from a powerful mother (guest star Sheryl Lee Ralph), as Eileen (Anjelica Huston) finds herself at a moral crossroads with huge ramifications for "Bombshell." Christian Borle and Megan Hilty also star. Jennifer Hudson, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Daniel Sunjata guest star.
05	The Read Through	March 5, 2013
05	Julia's (Debra Messing) fears increase when Tom (Christian Borle) airs his suspicions of Peter (guest star Daniel Sunjata). Jimmy (Jeremy Jordan) and Kyle (Andy Mientus) confront their own crisis of confidence as "Hit List" is read for the first time. Meanwhile, Ivy (Megan Hilty) realizes her triumph might not be all she hoped when she meets her new co-star, Terry Falls (guest star Sean Hayes), and Karen (Katharine McPhee) wonders if she can trust Jimmy. Anjelica Huston, Jack Davenport and Krysta Rodriguez also star. Sean Hayes, Daniel Sunjata and Nikki Blonsky guest star.
06	The Fringe	March 12, 2013
06	Derek (Jack Davenport) and Karen (Katharine McPhee) find themselves at a surprising crossroads, forcing one of them to make a difficult choice. Jerry's (guest star Michael Cristofer) uneasy partnership with Eileen (Anjelica Huston) hits a snag, as does "Hit List's" first performance at the Fringe Festival. Meanwhile, Ivy's (Megan Hilty) last-ditch effort to save her and Terry's (guest star Sean Hayes) show has unexpected results. Debra Messing, Christian Borle, Jeremy Jordan, Andy Mientus and Krysta Rodriguez also star. Sean Hayes, Jesse L. Martin, Daniel Sunjata and Nikki Blonsky guest star.
07	Musical Chairs	March 19, 2013
07	New circumstances give rise to conflicts as Karen (Katharine McPhee), Tom (Christian Borle), Julia (Debra Messing) and Derek (Jack Davenport) adjust to their new surroundings. Tensions at "Liaisons" are also coming to a boil, ensuring that the show will find its place in Broadway history. Meanwhile, Eileen (Anjelica Huston) may have found the key to saving "Bombshell" with the help of her daughter, Katie (guest star Grace Gummer). Megan Hilty, Jeremy Jordan and Andy Mientus also star. Sean Hayes, Jesse L. Martin, Daniel Sunjata and Grace Gummer guest star.
08	The Bells and Whistles	March 26, 2013
08	When Ivy (Megan Hilty) brings Sam (Leslie Odom, Jr.), back to town, Tom (Christian Borle) finds himself in an awkward situation. Jimmy (Jeremy Jordan) and Derek (Jack Davenport) clash over their vision for "Hit List," while both Ana (Krysta Rodriguez) and Karen (Katharine McPhee) struggle to stand up for what they want. Debra Messing, Anjelica Huston and Andy Mientus also star. Jesse L. Martin, Jamey Sheridan and Daphne Rubin-Vega guest star.
09	The Parents	April 2, 2013
09	After Leigh Conroy (guest star Bernadette Peters) joins the cast of "Bombshell," Tom (Christian Borle) finds himself struggling to diffuse the years of tension between her and Ivy (Megan Hilty). Jimmy (Jeremy Jordan) and Karen's (Katharine McPhee) connection is threatened by both Ana's (Krysta Rodriguez) newfound success and an unexpected visitor. Derek (Jack Davenport) learns more about Jimmy's past just as the public sees their first piece of "Hit List." Debra Messing, Anjelica Huston, Leslie Odom, Jr. and Andy Mientus also star. Jesse L. Martin and Bernadette Peters guest star.
10	The Surprise Party	April 6, 2013
10	With guest star Liza Minnelli in town, Tom (Christian Borle) plans a surprise for Ivy (Megan Hilty) in an attempt to find a balance between their work life and their friendship. Relations between Karen (Katharine McPhee), Jimmy (Jeremy Jordan), and Derek (Jack Davenport) explode just as "Hit List's" rehearsal process nears its close. While Richard (guest star Jamey Sheridan) asks Eileen (Anjelica Huston) to spend less time at work and more time with him, Julia (Debra Messing) finds herself also pulled away from "Bombshell" by an unlikely source. Leslie Odom, Jr., Krysta Rodriguez and Andy Mientus also star. Liza Minnelli, Jamey Sheridan and Jesse L. Martin guest star.
11	The Dress Rehearsal	April 13, 2013
11	As Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) race to ready "Bombshell" for previews, Tom's eagerness to prove himself may not be the best thing for the show. An onstage mishap forces Ivy (Megan Hilty) to make a choice, while tension mounts at "Hit List" as Karen (Katharine McPhee) becomes suspicious of Derek's (Jack Davenport) motives towards her. Anjelica Huston, Jeremy Jordan, Leslie Odom, Jr., Krysta Rodriguez and Andy Mientus also star. Jamey Sheridan and Jesse L. Martin guest star.
12	Opening Night	April 20, 2013
12	It's "Bombshell's" opening night. As Ivy's (Megan Hilty) nerves get the better of her, support comes from an unlikely source. Meanwhile, Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) look to their next project. "Bombshell's" success may be in jeopardy as Eileen's (Anjelica Huston) issues with Richard (guest star Jamey Sheridan) come to a head. Jimmy (Jeremy Jordan) finally opens up to Karen (Katharine McPhee) about his past, but is it too little too late? Rosie O'Donnell, Bernadette Peters, Jesse L. Martin and Jamey Sheridan guest star.
13	The Producers	April 27, 2013
13	An off-the-rail Jimmy (Jeremy Jordan) threatens "Hit List's" future, as Karen (Katharine McPhee), Derek (Jack Davenport), Ana (Krysta Rodriguez) and Kyle (Andy Mientus) try to help him before something bad happens. Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia's (Debra Messing) partnership is strained to the breaking point just as Ivy (Megan Hilty), Eileen (Anjelica Huston), and the entire "Bombshell" team are running themselves ragged to outshine the competition. Kathie Lee Gifford and Jesse L. Martin guest star.
14	The Phenomenon	May 4, 2013
14	An unexpected event bonds both "Bombshell" and "Hit List." Debra Messing, Anjelica Huston, Jack Davenport, Christian Borle, Katharine McPhee, Megan Hilty, Jeremy Jordan, Krysta Rodriguez, Leslie Odom, Jr. and Andy Mientus star. Bernadette Peters and Jesse L. Martin guest star.
15	The Transfer	May 11, 2013
15	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.
16	The Nominations	May 26, 2013
16	It's a crucial moment for both shows as Tony nominations loom, but keeping your eye on the prize can be hard. As Tom crosses an influential Tony voter and Ivy copes with some very distracting news, Derek's past has repercussions for the entire "Hit List" team.
17	The Tonys	May 26, 2013
17	On Tony night, the awards might not provide the answers everyone is looking for. As Jimmy faces a final reckoning, Tom, Julia, Derek, Karen, Ivy, and most of all, Eileen wait to see if the ceremony will confirm their place in the Broadway pantheon once and for all.

Trivia[]

Sean Hayes will be the second Will and Grace alum to be featured on Smash, the first being Debra Messing.
Jennifer Hudson will be the second American Idol alum to be featured on Smash, the first being Katharine McPhee. Jennifer came in 7th place during the third season, and Katharine came in 2nd place during the fifth season.
Two Rent alumni are featured as Guest Stars this season: Jesse L. Martin and Daphne Rubin-Vega.
- Martin also reprised his role in the movie version of Rent. Rubin-Vega couldn't join the movie cast because she was pregnant at the time and was replaced by Rosario Dawson.
- Both Martin and Rubin-Vega were in the original broadway cast of rent
Ivy Lynn has been cast as Ceile in the Liaisons, she is the second Marilyn to play the part as Uma Thurman (in real life) had played Ceile in the 1988 film Dangerous Liasons.
Jesse L. Martin went through a similar situation with the issue his character faced in "The Phenomenon", the night before the opening of Rent on Broadway.
Scrapped Numbers were:
- Episode 1: Karen and Ivy: "New York Groove" - (cover by Ace Frehley)
- Episode 1: Veronica Moore: "Take A Picture... It Lasts Longer" - (by Shaiman and Wittman)
- Episode 2: Karen and Jimmy: "Broadway, Here I Come!" - (by Joe Iconis)
- Episode 4: Ivy: "I Got Love (Redux - partial)" - (from Purlie)
- Episode 11: Karen and Ana: "I'm Not Sorry" - (by Andrew McMahon)
- Episode 16: Eileen: (Adieu Mon Coeur) - (cover by Edith Piaf)
The theme song for Season 2 is called "5,6,7,8."
- Coincidently, the theme song for season 2 was originally in the demo recording of SMASH!
3 The Addams Family Musical Alumni have been on the show by the end of this season
- Wesly Taylor played Lucas Beineke (Wednesday's Love Interest)
- Krysta Rodrigues as Wednesday Addams
- Carolee Carmello as Alice Beineke (Lucas' Father)
Three members of the OBC of Hamilton appear throughout the series
- Lin-Manuel Miranda as himself (The Transfer)
- Leslie Odom Jr. as Sam
- Phillipa Soo as Lexi