Universal Television and NBCUniversal International have signed a development deal with Storyline Entertainment's Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ("Smash," "Chicago," "Hairspray") that will give the studio a first look at series and specials created by the acclaimed multi-award winning producers for US and international television markets.

According to TVLine.com, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson will appear in three of the first four episodes of SMASH's second season on NBC. The new season will also feature Broadway's Jeremy Jordan, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in Newsies.

As first reported in US Weekly, SMASH star Uma Thurman gave birth to a baby girl yesterday. This marks the third child for the Oscar nominee and the first for her and her boyfriend, financier Arpad Busson.

According to Deadline, LEAP OF FAITH's Leslie Odom Jr. has just been moved from a recurring character to a series regular for NBC's Smash Season 2.

According to TVLine, THE ADDAMS FAMILY's Krysta Rodriguez is set to play series regular Ana in Smash Season 2.

Yesterday, July 3rd, Broadway and SMASH star Megan Hilty prepared for her appearance in today's July 4th celebration on PBS, 'A Capitol Fourth.' BroadwayWorld brings you photos of Hilty in rehearsal in Washington, D.C., below!

Today, July 4th, America's national Independence Day celebration kicks off our country's 236th birthday, as A CAPITOL FOURTH on PBS welcomes a brand new host, Emmy Award-winning television personality Tom Bergeron. Hot off another winning season as host of the hit TV series, DANCING WITH THE STARS, Bergeron will lead an all-star cast in a patriotic evening of unrivaled musical performances, topped off by the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation. The multi award-winning event will feature acclaimed Broadway and television star Megan Hilty (SMASH); singer-songwriter Javier Colon (winner of THE VOICE); R&B superstars Kool & The Gang; four time Tony-nominated Broadway star Kelli O'Hara; the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly; plus a tribute to Team USA honoring the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams (additional talent to be announced). Broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, A CAPITOL FOURTH will air live in HD on PBS tonight, July 4, 2012 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network. The program can also be heard live in stereo over NPR member stations nationwide.

The 'Valerie Salgado Episode' of Actor's Next Level answers the question dancers around the globe are begging to be answered: How do I get on NBC's Smash? The hit musical-in-a-musical-in-a-TV-show production is a favorite among dancers, musical theater performers and the Broadway elite. Host/producer Jewel Elizabeth interviews assistant choreographer Valerie Salgado to get the scoop.

In an interview with Variety, NBC's Robert Greenblatt revealed that he intends to increase the drama and shake up the music featured in the show by recruiting 'up-and-comers' to compose new original music.

Megan Hilty talked to the Canadian Press about her role in the upcoming season of Smash on NBC. She will be back, probably causing a lot of drama, she says, but she hopes life gets better for Ivy this season. Watch the interview below!

According to TVLine.com, stage veteran Andy Mientus will join NEWSIES' Jeremy Jordan as a new series regular for the second season of SMASH. He'll play 'Kyle,' 'a poor kid from Brooklyn with dreams of writing for Broadway.'

Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy-winning actress-singer Jennifer Hudson ('Dreamgirls') will appear in a multi-episode arc on NBC's 'Smash' beginning with the second-season premiere when the musical drama returns to the NBC schedule.

Ana Gasteyer, from SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and SUBURGATORY and Brian d'Arcy James from the new hit series SMASH performed to a sold-out crowd last night, May 26, at Bay Street Theatre. " Gasteyer and James mingled with the crowd, including actress Blythe Danner, at the post-show VIP soiree. Among the evenings attendees, Board Chairman Frank Filipo, Board Member Jane Holden as well as Hamptonites Bruce Sloan and Sal & Mary Lou Ranieri; and Matt McGrath, a Bay Street Theatre Artistic Associate and the director of the upcoming Mainstage production of Polly Draper in MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE, by Geraldine Aron. See below for photos from the after-party!

Season 1 of NBC's new series about the making of a musical, SMASH, ended last Monday, May 14, and according to the Hollywood Reporter, the show will cut a few characters for Season 2. Brian d'Arcy James, Will Chase, Jaime Cepero and Raza Jaffrey, who play Frank, Michael, Ellis and Dev resectively, will no longer be regulars when the show returns in 2013.

Season 1 of NBC's new series about the making of a musical, SMASH, ended on Monday, May 14, and according to TVLine, the series is already casting three new regulars fro season two. Jining the line-up next season will be 'Courney'- 'incredibly attractive and confident, but also open-minded and non-judgmental;" 'Danny'- 'a straight, working class fella in his mid-20s and from Brooklyn;' and 'Joe'- "gay, very cute, incredibly open and optimistic."

Season 1 of NBC's new series about the making of a musical, SMASH, ended on Monday, May 14. The show stars Katharine McPhee (American Idol Runner-Up) as the wide-eyed, inexperienced Karen hoping for a big Broadway debut, and her rival Megan Hilty (WICKED, 9 TO 5, GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES) as Ivy who has had enough of being in the ensemble and wants to be a real star. This video revisits some of the best moments from season 1 of SMASH from when Karen and Ivy first began their rivalry to when Karen sang 'Don't Forget Me' in the finale.

The past couple of days have been full of announcements about 2012 television pickups. NBC's SMASH will be back, but not until January 2013 with an all new season 2. The cast just attended 2012 upfronts, where they performed pieces from the show. Check out photos, as featured on their Facebook page, below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The 'Apocalyptour,' two Sondheim/Lapine productions, Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen visit Northlight, 'The Last Five Years,' Spider Saloff writes and stars, that 'Smash'ing season finale, and more....

SMASH star and American Idol finalist Katherine McPhee recently sat down with CNN and discussed her career thus far and her plans for the future. In this video, McPhee answers reporters' questions regarding a possible Broadway debut and says she thinks it would make sense to be on Broadway in the near future.

Last night NBC aired the season finale of SMASH! In the episode, Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) raced against time to save the show, while Derek (Jack Davenport) made a decision that changed the lives of Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty) forever. Ellis (Jaime Cepero) revealed his true colors. But when he finally made his move to save "Bombshell," would it be for or against Eileen (Anjelica Huston)? In the midst of it all, another bombshell went off - this one is in Karen and Dev's (Raza Jaffrey) relationship. Check out the season 1 finale below.

Don't forget to tune in tonight to the season finale of SMASH! In the episode, Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) race against time to save the show, while Derek (Jack Davenport) makes a decision that will change the lives of Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty) foreveR. Ellis (Jaime Cepero) reveals his true colors. But when he finally makes his move to save "Bombshell," will it be for or against Eileen (Anjelica Huston)? In the midst of it all, another bombshell goes off - this one is in Karen and Dev's (Raza Jaffrey) relationship.

NBC has revealed its fall 2012 TV schedule, and plans to hold Smash until midseason and move Community to Friday nights, as first reported by TVLine.com.

SMASH's Megan Hilty recently visited 'Last Call With Carson Daly' and discussed her role in SMASH, her Broadway debut in WICKED, and more.

Next week on the season finale of SMASH, the big night is finally here. Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) race against time to save the show, while Derek (Jack Davenport) makes a decision that will change the lives of Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty) foreveR. Ellis (Jaime Cepero) reveals his true colors. But when he finally makes his move to save "Bombshell," will it be for or against Eileen (Anjelica Huston)? In the midst of it all, another bombshell goes off - this one is in Karen and Dev's (Raza Jaffrey) relationship. In the video below, Hilty and McPhee chat about their favorite moments of season one. Click below to check it out!

Next week on the season finale of SMASH, the big night is finally here. Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) race against time to save the show, while Derek (Jack Davenport) makes a decision that will change the lives of Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty) forever. Ellis (Jaime Cepero) reveals his true colors. But when he finally makes his move to save "Bombshell," will it be for or against Eileen (Anjelica Huston)? In the midst of it all, another bombshell goes off - this one is in Karen and Dev's (Raza Jaffrey) relationship. Additionally, Nick Jonas returns as 'Lyle' and you can check out a sneak peek of him in action below!