It didn't start out that way. The NBC series, which revolves around the making of a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe, premiered in February to 11.5 million viewers, a godsend for a network whose prime-time lineup is holding on by a thread or, more specifically, a mindless singing competition ("The Voice").
NBC quickly renewed "Smash" for a second season and executives almost certainly began plotting "Law & Order: Broadway."
