Show cover for Smash

The Worst Episodes of Smash

Every episode of Smash ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Smash!

A songwriting duo tries to create a hit with a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe.
Genre:Drama
Network:NBC

Worst Episodes Summary

"Enter Mr. DiMaggio" is the worst rated episode of "Smash". It scored 7.2/10 based on 244 votes. Directed by Michael Mayer and written by Theresa Rebeck, it aired on 2/20/2012. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The Read-Through".

  • Enter Mr. DiMaggio
    7.2/10244 votes
    Loading...

    #1 - Enter Mr. DiMaggio

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 2/20/2012

    The search begins for a Joe DiMaggio to play opposite Marilyn - but everyone's first choice, Michael, has a secret. Karen returns to Iowa for a baby shower and must decide what she wants for her future. Eileen begins rounding up investors - but ex-husband Jerry may already have poisoned the well.

    Director: Michael Mayer

    Writer: Theresa Rebeck

  • The Read-Through
    7.2/10124 votes
    Loading...

    #2 - The Read-Through

    Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 3/5/2013

    Julia's fears increase when Tom airs his suspicions of Peter. Jimmy and Kyle confront their own crisis of confidence as "Hit List" is read for the first time. Meanwhile, Ivy realizes her triumph might not be all she hoped when she meets her new co-star, Terry Falls, and Karen wonders if she can trust Jimmy.

    Director: David Petrarca

    Writer: Liz Tuccillo

  • The Coup
    7.3/10209 votes
    Loading...

    #3 - The Coup

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 3/26/2012

    The team deals with the workshop's after-effects; Derek asks Karen to help him steal the show from Tom and Julia; Eileen's daughter's surprise visit forces her to deal with her ex-husband.

    Director: Paris Barclay

    Writer: Theresa Rebeck

  • Chemistry
    7.4/10211 votes
    Loading...

    #4 - Chemistry

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 3/12/2012

    Ivy faces major vocal issues, while Julia struggles to avoid Michael. Meanwhile, Karen books a side gig at a bar mitzvah.

    Director: Daniel Attias

    Writer: Jacquelyn Reingold

  • The Movie Star
    7.4/10180 votes
    Loading...

    #5 - The Movie Star

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 4/16/2012

    The arrival of a movie star turns ``Bombshell'' upside-down; Ivy and Karen try to overcome their history and unite against their new rival; Tom and Sam's romance heats up.

    Director: Tricia Brock

    Writer: Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky

  • The Fringe
    7.4/10120 votes
    Loading...

    #6 - The Fringe

    Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 3/12/2013

    Derek and Karen reach a turning point, so one of them makes a tough decision. Meanwhile, problems emerge in Jerry and Eileen's partnership; complications arise at the "Hit List" debut at the Fringe Festival; and Ivy attempts to save her and Terry's show.

    Director: Dan Lerner

    Writer: Liz Tuccillo

  • The Callback
    7.5/10283 votes
    Loading...

    #7 - The Callback

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 2/13/2012

    Ivy and Karen jump through hoops for the brilliant but temperamental director Derek Wills as they pursue the role of a lifetime. Meanwhile, Julia and her husband Frank, are frustrated by the red tape of an international adoption process, and Eileen fights to finance her new musical in the midst of an acrimonious divorce.

    Director: Michael Mayer

    Writer: Theresa Rebeck

  • Let's Be Bad
    7.5/10217 votes
    Loading...

    #8 - Let's Be Bad

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 3/5/2012

    Karen finds a new use for her acting talents as she joins Dev at a high-powered government party. The drama between Michael and Julia heats up, as Eileen and Tom's ambitious assistant Ellis forge an alliance. Ivy senses trouble in her relationship with Derek.

    Director: Jamie Babbit

    Writer: Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky

  • Tech
    7.5/10177 votes
    Loading...

    #9 - Tech

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 4/30/2012

    Ivy worries as Derek grows closer to Rebecca and Karen has to choose between Dev and the show. Ellen and Julia fight over Michael's possible return and Sam brings Tom to a family dinner.

    Director: Roxann Dawson

    Writer: Jason Grote, Lakshmi Sundaram

  • The Dramaturg
    7.5/10138 votes
    Loading...

    #10 - The Dramaturg

    Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 2/19/2013

    Eileen introduces Tom and Julia to a new writing partner in order to fix Bombshell's script; Karen confers with Derek about Jimmy and Kyle's musical that they are working on; Derek tries to get reinstated as the director for "The Wiz" remake with Veronica Moore.

    Director: Larry Shaw

    Writer: Bryan Goluboff

  • Hell On Earth
    7.6/10194 votes
    Loading...

    #11 - Hell On Earth

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 4/2/2012

    Julia and Tom must find a title for the recently reinvigorated musical; Ivy and Karen compete for an orange juice commercial; Frank makes a discovery.

    Director: Paul McGuigan

    Writer: Scott Burkhardt

  • Previews
    7.6/10175 votes
    Loading...

    #12 - Previews

    Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 5/7/2012

    "Bombshell" faces its first audience just as a major crisis hits Rebecca Duvall. The team of Tom and Julia scramble to fix the show when the first preview falls short, and Frank must adjust to the unwelcome return of Michael Swift to his life. Dev seeks reconciliation with Karen, but explosive information about Ivy lurks just beneath the surface.

    Director: Robert Duncan McNeill

    Writer: David Marshall Grant

  • The Fallout
    7.6/10153 votes
    Loading...

    #13 - The Fallout

    Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 2/5/2013

    The creative team behind Bombshell attempt to repair their reputations and mount the show following legal allegations about the source of financing for the show by Eileen Rand and sexual harassment charges levelled at director Derek Wills by several women. Bombshell star Karen Cartwright encounters resistance when she tries to aid new composing team Jimmy Collins and Kyle Bishop working on their first musical.

    Director: Craig Zisk

    Writer: Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky

  • The Song
    7.6/10137 votes
    Loading...

    #14 - The Song

    Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 2/26/2013

    Derek calls in help for a special event, but Jimmy's pride might get in the way of a huge opportunity Karen orchestrates for him and Kyle. Peter challenges Julia's pride as they continue to work together. Meanwhile, Ronnie struggles to assert her independence from a powerful mother, as Eileen finds herself at a moral crossroads with huge ramifications for "Bombshell."

    Director: Michael Morris

    Writer: Bathsheba Doran

  • Understudy
    7.7/10200 votes
    Loading...

    #15 - Understudy

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 4/9/2012

    When the show's new star gets stuck in Cuba, Derek puts Karen in as understudy; Tom and Julia celebrate their anniversary.

    Director: Adam Bernstein

    Writer: Jerome Hairston

  • Musical Chairs
    7.7/10130 votes
    Loading...

    #16 - Musical Chairs

    Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 3/19/2013

    New circumstances give rise to conflicts as Karen, Tom, Julia and Derek 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 may have found the key to saving "Bombshell" with the help of her daughter, Katie.

    Director: Casey Nicholaw

    Writer: Becky Mode

  • The Bells and Whistles
    7.7/10119 votes
    Loading...

    #17 - The Bells and Whistles

    Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 3/26/2013

    When Ivy brings Sam back to town, Tom finds himself in an awkward situation. Jimmy and Derek clash over their vision for "Hit List," while both Ana and Karen struggle to stand up for what they want.

    Director: Craig Zisk

    Writer: Noelle Valdivia

  • The Parents
    7.7/10118 votes
    Loading...

    #18 - The Parents

    Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 4/2/2013

    After Leigh Conroy joins the cast of "Bombshell," Tom finds himself struggling to diffuse the years of tension between her and Ivy. Jimmy and Karen's connection is threatened by both Ana's newfound success and an unexpected visitor. Derek learns more about Jimmy's past just as the public sees their first piece of "Hit List."

    Director: Tricia Brock

    Writer: Jordon Nardino

  • The Surprise Party
    7.7/10117 votes
    Loading...

    #19 - The Surprise Party

    Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 4/6/2013

    With Liza Minnelli in town, Tom plans a surprise for Ivy in an attempt to find a balance between their work life and their friendship. Relations between Karen, Jimmy, and Derek explode just as Hit List's rehearsal process nears its close. While Richard asks Eileen to spend less time at work and more time with him, Julia finds herself also pulled away from Bombshell by an unlikely source.

    Director: S.J. Clarkson

    Writer: Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky

  • Publicity
    7.8/10199 votes
    Loading...

    #20 - Publicity

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 4/23/2012

    Karen finds herself seduced by the glamorous life of new BFF Rebecca Duvall -- but can Rebecca be trusted? What will Karen's ascent mean to her relationship with Dev? And will Rebecca drive Derek insane? Eileen introduces new beau Nick to ex-husband Jerry, while Julia panics when her son Leo goes missing.

    Director: Michael Mayer

    Writer: Theresa Rebeck

  • The Transfer
    7.8/10113 votes
    Loading...

    #21 - The Transfer

    Season 2 Episode 15 - Aired 5/11/2013

    With his sights set on the Tony, Tom pulls out all the stops at a Houston & Levitt tribute night, but can Julia turn away from "Hit List" long enough to help? Ivy 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.

    Director: Holly Dale

    Writer: Justin Brenneman, Julia Brownell

  • The Nominations
    7.8/10109 votes
    Loading...

    #22 - The Nominations

    Season 2 Episode 16 - Aired 5/26/2013

    It's a crucial moment for both shows as Tony nominations loom, but keeping your eye on the prize can be hard. As Tom crosses an influential Tony voter and Ivy copes with some very distracting news, Derek's past has repercussions for the entire "Hit List" team.

    Director: Michael Morris

    Writer: Bryan Goluboff

  • The Cost of Art
    7.9/10262 votes
    Loading...

    #23 - The Cost of Art

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 2/27/2012

    Karen must learn to advance in the high-stakes world of Broadway, as Derek hosts a party for hot young star Lyle. Eileen tries a sly new strategy for raising funds, while Tom goes on a first date.

    Director: Michael Morris

    Writer: David Marshall Grant

  • On Broadway
    7.9/10211 votes
    Loading...

    #24 - On Broadway

    Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 2/5/2013

    Back from a successful run in Boston, Eileen, Julia and Tom are blindsided by both personal and professional obstacles as they seek to take "Bombshell" to Broadway. Karen consults her new mentor, Broadway star Veronica "Ronnie" Moore, as she finds herself on the brink of fame, but her success may come at cost to Ivy. A new talent is discovered in an unexpected place. Meanwhile, Derek copes with a damaging accusation.

    Director: Michael Morris

    Writer: Joshua Safran

  • Pilot
    8.0/10390 votes
    Loading...

    #25 - Pilot

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 2/6/2012

    In the pilot of Smash we are introduced to Tom Levitt and Julia Houstona song-writing duo who had planned on taking a break from the business of Broadway but, find themselves drawn back in when they get the desire to produce a musical based around the life of Marilyn Monroe. When a demo of one of the tracks goes viral the project attracts the eye and ear of tenacious producer Eileen Rand and, although causing a conflict that of director Derek Wills. But the biggest and most important task is to find their Marilyn after, auditioning a range of girls they whittle it down to two but, who do they go for. Ivy Lynn a veteran of the stage who wants to break away from the chorus line to get her break as a lead or Karen Cartwright a fresh talent who is trying to follow her dream of becoming a star.

    Director: Michael Mayer

    Writer: N/A