Jennifer Hudson & Harvey Fierstein To Headline "Hairspray Live!" on NBC

Jennifer Hudson -- Photo Credit: Jon Pack/NBC

Oscar, Golden Globe, SAG and Grammy Award-winner Jennifer Hudson and multiple Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein will headline the cast of NBC's "Hairspray Live!," the network's next live Broadway musical holiday event following the phenomenal success of "The Wiz Live!"

Also joining the creative team will be acclaimed television director Alex Rudzinski, who received extraordinary reviews for his television direction of "Grease Live!" Rudzinski was also the TV director for "Dancing With the Stars" from 2005-14.

"We are beyond thrilled with this incredibly talented duo of stars for 'Hairspray Live!,'" said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment. "Harvey Fierstein created the role of Edna Turnblad on Broadway in an indelible Tony-winning performance that demanded to be memorialized on film, and we're happy he wanted to step into her shoes one last, unforgettable time. We're also so grateful that the incomparable Jennifer Hudson will play Motormouth Maybelle and we know her rendition of 'I Know Where I've Been' will literally stop the show."

Based on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, "Hairspray Live!" takes place in 1962 Baltimore. Teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on "The Corny Collins Show," a local TV program. When, against all odds, Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight and meets a colorful array of characters, including the resident dreamboat, Link; the ambitious mean girl, Amber; an African-American boy she meets in detention, Seaweed; and his mother, Motormouth Maybelle, the owner of a local record store. Tracy's mother is the indomitable Edna Turnblad, and she eventually encourages Tracy on her campaign to integrate the all-white "Corny Collins Show."

Scandalous with Jennifer Hudson, a PSA For The Affordable Care Act

Jennifer Hudson is searching for a scandal in a new Funny or Die video but the Affordable Care Act fixes all of them. The PSA aims to raise awareness about how the Affordable Care Act works. The White House has tapped other A-list stars, such as Oprah Winfrey and Alicia Keys, to help spread the word about the ACA (also known as Obamacare). Watch Hudson channel SCANDAL's Oliva Pope in the video below:

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")

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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:

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.

SMASH Returns February 5

NBC's musical drama SMASH makes its much-anticipated return with a two-hour episode on February 5 (9-11 p.m. ET), the network announced on Tuesday. Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson is among the big stars who will appear in Season 2. The show movies to its regular day and time on Tuesday, February 12 (10-11 p.m. ET), which is PARENTHOOD's current timeslot.

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- Sean Hayes Signs On For Multi-Episode SMASH Arc
- Daphne Rubin-Vega is the Latest Broadway Star to Sign on for Season Two of SMASH
- SMASH CASTING: Krysta Rodriguez In, Leslie Odom Jr. Now Series Regular
- Jesse L. Martin Joins SMASH For Six-Episode Arc
- Andy Mientus Joins SMASH

Jennifer Hudson To Guest On Multi-Episode Arc Of SMASH

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.

Hudson will portray Veronica Moore, a Tony Award-winning Broadway star who impacts the lives of Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty).

"We're thrilled to have Jennifer Hudson coming to SMASH,” said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment. “This series is a showcase for some of the best musical talent in the business and that's a fitting description for Jennifer Hudson. Her character will represent someone who reached their Broadway dream but also paid a price for it."