Low Ratings Drag NBC’s ‘Smash’ To Cancellation

The writing seemed to be on the wall last month when NBC moved “Smash” from its Tuesday night timeslot to Saturday: it seemed the show was on the verge of cancellation.

NBC has now confirmed those fears with the release of its new lineup for the upcoming season. “Smash” will be no more after its second season, which is scheduled to end on May 26.

“Thk u to everyone who watched Smash! Been an amazing ride. & thanks to @nbc 4 the opportunity 2 play a great gal such as Karen. So grateful,” star Katharine McPhee tweeted after the news was released. The show also starred Debra Messing and Anjelica Huston.

McPhee later added “Ahhhh! Love you all! Ur passion is so heartwarming! Life is about chapters & the relationships u make along the way. Next chapter! Exciting.”

Co-star Andy Mientus took a more Broadway-centric view of the news, appropriate for the theme of the show.

“So sad that Smash is officially going Non-Equity,” he wrote, later adding, “But in all seriousness, I love Smash, am so grateful to its fans, had the time of my life working with such talent and will never forget it!”

Around the time of the schedule change, it was reported that Messing and McPhee were thinking about leaving the show regardless of whether it was canceled, though both denied the rumors and also denied that there was any tension among cast members.

However, Messing was already working with CBS on a pilot at the time, though it was said to be a back-up in case “Smash” did end up being cancelled. That pilot is not listed in the initial lineup by CBS, though there is still a possibility it could still be picked up.

Of course, Messing took to Twitter, as well, writing, “Thank you 2 all the Smash fans for your love and faith. I LOVED our show, our cast, the music and dance, and will 4ever B grateful & proud.”