Today in Soap Opera History (August 15)

"To believe what has not occurred in history will not occur at all, is to argue disbelief in the dignity of man."
- Mahatma Gandhi

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1977: On Guiding Light, Eve (Janet Grey) was released from Cedars. She would later go blind.

1979: On The Edge of Night, Elliott couldn't (Lee Godart) resist Raven (Sharon Gabet) even though he was aghast she left the baby alone.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 15)

1994: ALL MY CHILDREN's Erica Kane (Susan Lucci)
was devastated over the death of her mother, Mona.

History is not melodrama, even if it usually reads like that.
-Robert Penn Warren

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1977: On GUIDING LIGHT, Eve (Janet Grey) was released from Cedars.  She would later go blind.

1979: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Elliott couldn't (Lee Godart) resist Raven (Sharon Gabet) even though he was aghast she left the baby alone.

SMASH Reruns Coming To Ovation Network Starting July 19

After recently announcing over 200 hours of original programming, arts network Ovation has additionally acquired all episodes of critically acclaimed series SMASH from NBCUniversal Cable & New Media. Ovation will debut the series beginning Friday, July 19th at 8 p.m. ET. The announcement was made today by Robert Weiss, Ovation's Chief Creative Officer.

SMASH Two-Hour Series Finale Preview

Photo: NBC

NBC's musical drama SMASH wraps up its second and final season on Sunday, May 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT with two new episodes, "The Nominations" and "The Tonys."

It's a crucial moment for both shows as Tony nominations loom, but keeping your eye on the prize can be hard. As Tom (Christian Borle) crosses an influential Tony voter and Ivy (Megan Hilty) copes with some very distracting news, Derek's (Jack Davenport) past has repercussions for the entire "Hit List" team. On Tony night, the awards might not provide the answers everyone is looking for.

SMASH Preview: "The Transfer"

Photo: Will Hart/NBC

NBC's musical drama SMASH continues its second and final season on Saturday, May 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

In "The Transfer," with his sights set on the Tony, Tom (Christian Borle) pulls out all the stops at a Houston & Levitt tribute night, but can Julia (Debra Messing) turn away from "Hit List" long enough to help? Ivy (Megan Hilty) is afraid of damaging her reputation when Tom asks her to perform a risqué number. The cast of "Hit List" is rocked by a betrayal close to home.

Watch a sneak peek below:

SMASH Preview: "The Phenomenon"

Photo: Will Hart/NBC

NBC's musical drama SMASH continues its second season on Saturday, May 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

In "The Phenomenon," An unexpected event bonds both “Bombshell” and “Hit List.” Did Kyle survive?

Debra Messing, Anjelica Huston, Jack Davenport, Christian Borle, Katharine McPhee, Megan Hilty, Jeremy Jordan, Krysta Rodriguez, Leslie Odom, Jr. and Andy Mientus star.

Watch a sneak peek below:

SMASH Preview: "The Producers"

Photo: NBC

NBC's musical drama SMASH continues its second season on Saturday, April 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

In "The Producers," 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.

Watch a sneak peek below:

SMASH Preview: "Opening Night" (Special Time) With Guest Stars Rosie O'Donnell & Bernadette Peters

Photo: NBC

NBC's musical drama SMASH continues its second season on Saturday, April 20 at a special time, 8 p.m. ET/PT with "Opening Night."

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?

Jack Davenport, Krysta Rodriguez and Andy Mientus also star. Rosie O'Donnell, Bernadette Peters, Jesse L. Martin, Stephen Bogardus and Jamey Sheridan guest star.

SMASH Preview: "The Dress Rehearsal" (Special Time)

Photo: NBC

NBC's musical drama SMASH continues its second season on Saturday, April 13 at a special time, 8 p.m. ET/PT.

In "The Dress Rehearsal," 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.

SMASH Preview: "The Surprise Party" With Guest Star Liza Minnelli (New Night & Time)

Photo: NBC

NBC's musical drama SMASH continues its second season at a new night and time on April 6 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

In "The Surprise Party," with guest star Liza Minnelli in tow, 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.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

SMASH Preview: "The Parents"

Photo: NBC

NBC's musical drama SMASH continues its second season on April 2 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

In "The Parents," when Ivy (Megan Hilty) 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.”

Watch a sneak peek below:

PREVIEW: SMASH ("The Bells and Whistles")

Photo: NBC

NBC's musical drama SMASH continues its second season on March 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

In "The Bells and Whistles," 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.

Watch a sneak peek below:

NEWS: Debra Messing Books Pilot, Kassie DePaiva, Erika Slezak, Jamie Chung, Michael Le Vell

SMASH star Debra Messing books CBS pilot
Though NBC hasn’t officially said Smash is dead (though really, a move to Saturdays speaks volumes), its stars are beginning to seek employment elsewhere. To wit: Debra Messing has been cast as a married mom in an untitled single-camera comedy at CBS.

In the project from Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky, which is based on an Israeli format, Messing will play Shira, a married mom who struggles to balance family, life and work. Messing is in second position on the pilot since technically, NBC still has its hooks in her for SMASH — that is, until they officially pull the plug.

Kassie DePaiva reports on ONE LIFE TO LIVE's first week back in production
"The majority of my scenes were with my family and I can't wait for you to see the excitement that surrounds Blair's life. The sets are absolutely beautiful from top to bottom. We have many of our same directors working with us and our executive producer Jen Pepperman is just amazing."

PREVIEW: SMASH ("Musical Chairs")

Photo: NBC

NBC's musical drama SMASH continues its second season on March 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

In "Musical Chairs," 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).

Watch a sneak peek below:

PREVIEW: SMASH ("The Fringe")

Photo: NBC

NBC's musical drama SMASH continues its second season on March 12 at 10 p.m. ET.

In "The Fringe," 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.

Watch a sneak peek below:

PREVIEW: SMASH ("The Read-Through")

Anjelica Huston as Eileen Rand, Thorsten Kaye as Nick —
Photo by: Will Hart/NBC

NBC's musical drama SMASH continues its second season on March 5 at 10 p.m. ET.

In "The Read-Through," 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.

Watch a sneak peek below:

PREVIEW: SMASH ("The Song")

Anjelica Huston as Eileen Rand, Thorsten Kaye as Nick —
Photo by: Will Hart/NBC

NBC's musical drama SMASH continues its second season on February 26 at 10 p.m. ET.

In "The Song," 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."

Watch a sneak peek below:

PREVIEW: SMASH Two-Hour Season 2 Premiere

NBC's musical drama SMASH makes its much-anticipated return with a two-hour episode on February 5 at 9 p.m. ET.

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.

First Hour Of The Two-Hour SMASH Season Premiere Available On Multiple Platforms January 14

NBC will offer viewers a sneak peek at the first hour of the two-hour season premiere of the Golden Globe-nominated drama SMASH on Monday, January 14 across multiple platforms -- three weeks before the second-season debut on February 5 (9–11 p.m. ET).

SMASH will be available across multiple-platforms that include: on demand and online through cable, satellite and telco providers; NBC.com; NBC Owned and affiliate station websites (should they choose to opt in); Hulu (including Hulu’s online distribution partners); iTunes, Amazon and Xbox. The first hour will also be a part of American Airlines in-flight entertainment offerings on domestic flights from January 15 – 31. Over 100 NBC Affiliates and Owned Stations will offer the first hour on their websites as well.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 15)

On this date in...

1979: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Elliott couldn't resist Raven even though he was aghast she left the baby alone.