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The Worst Episodes of Smash

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

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Celebrating the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theater, following a cross section of dreamers and schemers who all have one common desire - to be a "Smash."

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Smash Season 2 Episode 5 - The Read-Through
    7.2/10(137 votes)

    S2:E5

    All eyes are on Julia's reworked book, Hit List has its first read-through and Ivy meets her new co-star.

    Director:David Petrarca
    Writer:Liz Tuccillo

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  2. Smash Season 1 Episode 3 - Enter Mr. DiMaggio
    7.3/10(260 votes)

    S1:E3

    The search begins for a Joe DiMaggio to play opposite Marilyn - but everyone's first choice, Michael, has a secret.

    Director:Michael Mayer
    Writer:Theresa Rebeck

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  3. Smash Season 1 Episode 8 - The Coup
    7.4/10(221 votes)

    S1:E8

    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

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  4. Smash Season 2 Episode 3 - The Dramaturg
    7.5/10(150 votes)

    S2:E3

    Eileen makes a bold move to reinvent Bombshell, while Ivy auditions for a lead role that could make her the star she's always dreamed of being.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writer:Bryan Goluboff

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  5. Smash Season 2 Episode 4 - The Song
    7.5/10(149 votes)

    S2:E4

    Peter challenges Julia's pride while Jimmy trips over his; Ronnie defies her powerful mother.

    Director:Michael Morris
    Writer:Bathsheba Doran

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  6. Smash Season 2 Episode 6 - The Fringe
    7.5/10(129 votes)

    S2:E6

    Derek and Karen make a tough decision as "Hit List" faces its first performance.

    Director:Dan Lerner
    Writer:Liz Tuccillo

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  7. Smash Season 1 Episode 2 - The Callback
    7.6/10(299 votes)

    S1:E2

    Ivy and Karen jump through hoops for the brilliant but temperamental director Derek Wills as they pursue the role of a lifetime.

    Director:Michael Mayer
    Writer:Theresa Rebeck

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  8. Smash Season 1 Episode 5 - Let's Be Bad
    7.6/10(229 votes)

    S1:E5

    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
    Writers:Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky

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  9. Smash Season 1 Episode 6 - Chemistry
    7.6/10(224 votes)

    S1:E6

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

    Director:Dan Attias
    Writer:Jacquelyn Reingold

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  10. Smash Season 1 Episode 11 - The Movie Star
    7.6/10(190 votes)

    S1:E11

    The arrival of a movie star turns Bombshell upside-down. Ivy and Karen try to overcome their history and unite against their new rival.

    Director:Tricia Brock
    Writers:Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky

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  11. Smash Season 2 Episode 2 - The Fallout
    7.6/10(164 votes)

    S2:E2

    A scandal puts Bombshell's fate in jeopardy, while new talent is discovered in an unexpected place.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writers:Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky

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  12. Smash Season 1 Episode 9 - Hell On Earth
    7.7/10(207 votes)

    S1:E9

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

    Director:Paul McGuigan
    Writer:Scott Burkhardt

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  13. Smash Season 1 Episode 13 - Tech
    7.7/10(187 votes)

    S1:E13

    Bombshell moves to Boston as it finally finds its way to the stage. The cast and crew are all bubbling with anticipation, bracing themselves for the chaos associated with.

    Director:Roxann Dawson
    Writers:Lakshmi Sundaram, Jason Grote

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  14. Smash Season 2 Episode 7 - Musical Chairs
    7.7/10(137 votes)

    S2:E7

    Tensions boil on Liaisons, while Eileen may have found the key to saving Bombshell.

    Director:Casey Nicholaw
    Writer:Becky Mode

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  15. Smash Season 2 Episode 8 - The Bells and Whistles
    7.7/10(127 votes)

    S2:E8

    When Derek and Jimmy butt heads over "Hit List," Karen gets caught in the crossfire.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writer:Noelle Valdivia

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  16. Smash Season 1 Episode 10 - Understudy
    7.8/10(211 votes)

    S1:E10

    When the show's new star gets stuck in Cuba, Derek puts Karen in as understudy.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Jerome Hairston

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  17. Smash Season 1 Episode 14 - Previews
    7.8/10(186 votes)

    S1:E14

    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.

    Director:Robert Duncan McNeill
    Writer:David Marshall Grant

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  18. Smash Season 2 Episode 9 - The Parents
    7.8/10(130 votes)

    S2:E9

    Ivy's mom joins the "Bombshell" cast; a visit from Karen's dad causes tension at "Hit List."

    Director:Tricia Brock
    Writer:Jordon Nardino

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  19. Smash Season 2 Episode 10 - The Surprise Party
    7.8/10(128 votes)

    S2:E10

    Tom plans the birthday surprise of a lifetime for Ivy.

    Director:SJ Clarkson
    Writers:Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky

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  20. Smash Season 2 Episode 16 - The Nominations
    7.8/10(123 votes)

    S2:E16

    Hit List and Bombshell face off at the Tonys.

    Director:Michael Morris
    Writer:Bryan Goluboff

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  21. Smash Season 2 Episode 1 - On Broadway
    7.9/10(223 votes)

    S2:E1

    A scandal puts Bombshell's fate in jeopardy, while new talent is discovered in an unexpected place.

    Director:Michael Morris
    Writer:Joshua Safran

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  22. Smash Season 2 Episode 15 - The Transfer
    7.9/10(126 votes)

    S2:E15

    Betrayal rocks "Hit List;" Ivy's forced to do damage control on her public image.

    Director:Holly Dale
    Writers:Justin Brenneman, Julia Brownell

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  23. Smash Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.0/10(404 votes)

    S1:E1

    Song-writing duo Tom Levitt and Julia Houston, who had planned on taking a break from Broadway, find themselves drawn back in when they get the desire to produce a musical based around the life of Marilyn Monroe.

    Director:Michael Mayer
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Smash Season 1 Episode 4 - The Cost of Art
    8.0/10(269 votes)

    S1:E4

    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

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  25. Smash Season 1 Episode 12 - Publicity
    8.0/10(212 votes)

    S1:E12

    Karen finds herself seduced by the glamorous life of new BFF Rebecca Duvall. Eileen introduces new beau Nick to ex-husband Jerry, while Julia panics when her son Leo goes missing.

    Director:Michael Mayer
    Writer:Theresa Rebeck

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The Read-Through" is the worst rated episode of "Smash". It scored 7.2/10 based on 137 votes. Directed by David Petrarca and written by Liz Tuccillo, it aired on 3/5/2013. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Enter Mr. DiMaggio".