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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 1 Episode 3 - Enter Mr. DiMaggio
    7.3/10(255 votes)

    #1 - Enter Mr. DiMaggio

    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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  2. Smash Season 2 Episode 5 - The Read-Through
    7.3/10(134 votes)

    #2 - The Read-Through

    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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  3. Smash Season 1 Episode 8 - The Coup
    7.4/10(217 votes)

    #3 - The Coup

    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 1 Episode 11 - The Movie Star
    7.5/10(189 votes)

    #4 - The Movie Star

    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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  5. Smash Season 2 Episode 3 - The Dramaturg
    7.5/10(149 votes)

    #5 - The Dramaturg

    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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  6. Smash Season 2 Episode 6 - The Fringe
    7.5/10(128 votes)

    #6 - The Fringe

    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(294 votes)

    #7 - The Callback

    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(225 votes)

    #8 - Let's Be Bad

    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(220 votes)

    #9 - Chemistry

    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 2 Episode 2 - The Fallout
    7.6/10(163 votes)

    #10 - The Fallout

    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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  11. Smash Season 2 Episode 4 - The Song
    7.6/10(148 votes)

    #11 - The Song

    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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  12. Smash Season 1 Episode 9 - Hell On Earth
    7.7/10(202 votes)

    #12 - Hell On Earth

    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(185 votes)

    #13 - Tech

    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 1 Episode 14 - Previews
    7.7/10(182 votes)

    #14 - Previews

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

    #15 - Musical Chairs

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

    #16 - The Bells and Whistles

    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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  17. Smash Season 1 Episode 10 - Understudy
    7.8/10(208 votes)

    #17 - Understudy

    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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  18. Smash Season 2 Episode 9 - The Parents
    7.8/10(126 votes)

    #18 - The Parents

    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(125 votes)

    #19 - The Surprise Party

    S2:E10

    Tom plans the birthday surprise of a lifetime for Ivy.

    Director:S.J. Clarkson
    Writers:Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky

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  20. Smash Season 2 Episode 1 - On Broadway
    7.9/10(222 votes)

    #20 - On Broadway

    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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  21. Smash Season 2 Episode 15 - The Transfer
    7.9/10(123 votes)

    #21 - The Transfer

    S2:E15

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

    Director:Holly Dale
    Writers:Julia Brownell, Justin Brenneman

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  22. Smash Season 2 Episode 16 - The Nominations
    7.9/10(119 votes)

    #22 - The Nominations

    S2:E16

    Hit List and Bombshell face off at the Tonys.

    Director:Michael Morris
    Writer:Bryan Goluboff

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  23. Smash Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.0/10(405 votes)

    #23 - Pilot

    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(272 votes)

    #24 - The Cost of Art

    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(209 votes)

    #25 - Publicity

    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

"Enter Mr. DiMaggio" is the worst rated episode of "Smash". It scored 7.3/10 based on 255 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".