SMASH Wins Round 3 Of E! Save One Show, Final Round Open

The final round of E! Online's Save One Show 2013 competition is now open and SMASH leads the way with nearly half of the overall vote, battling it out with Body Of Proof and Deception after having won the first three rounds of the annual poll.

The final round closes Thursday at 9 PM PST.

But, the real question still remains: is NBC listening?

NBC announced last week that it would air the two-hour Season Two finale on May 26, while neither confirming nor denying that it will be the final episode for the series, despite many false reports decrying its presumedly doomed fate. Hope remains.

What makes this particular poll instructive is its history: ANGEL, FELICITY and ONE TREE HILL all were renewed after troublesome, low-rated seasons in part due to the fan support exhibited exclusively in this E! Online poll, whose results are announced and discussed on the TV network, too.

Last year, NBC's Community won the "Save One Show 2012" poll and lived to see another season.

So, does this bode well for the fate of SMASH? After all, this is a series which, after two time and day changes - and more on the way, apparently - scored its lowest ratings to date the last few Saturdays. The poll certainly proves that there is still much support for the Broadway-related entity, despite the low ratings of the second season so far.

It should also be noted that ratings for some S2 episodes doubled when calculating in live+7-Day DVR viewings and the series continues to be among the top shows on TV for households earning $100,000 or more, as well. But, in the end, is that really enough to justify a third season from a network perspective?

Additionally, a grassroots "Don't Cancel SMASH" Facebook page has garnered more than 19,000 followers in a few short weeks, as well, evidencing even more faith in the Broadway-themed series. "KEEP CALM AND #KEEP SMASHING" logos - like the one pictured above - have popped up on many Facebook profile pictures, further showing strong fan support.

Yet, are there enough fans to ultimately save SMASH from the chopping block? Well, NBC Upfronts are soon, so we shall see.

And, in any event, don't miss the show at its new day and time, on Saturdays at 8 PM.

Check out the E! Online poll here and the "Don't Cancel SMASH" Facebook page here.