Read on to learn the fate of Smash...
This is a good news/bad news kinda blog post for fans of "FNL," which presented to the ink-stained assemblage here in Beverly Hills this morning.
First the good: The show will be back on the NBC lineup early February 2009 for thirteen episodes, but the show will first launch Oct. 1 on DirecTV's subscription 101 Network, as announced months ago. Showrunner Jason Katims told critics here yesterday, "we've had conversations" about having different content for both editions, but he seemed to suggest that no one should hold his breath. For Katims and cast, this dual-deal with DirecTV could mean salvation. As he said, "The fact that we're here speaks to the passion that NBC has for the show, and they came up with this model that is completely new and [we] could continue the show for years [or] several more years."
He talked about the potential for two versions -- the DirecTV one of course wouldn't have to worry about "standards and practices issues..."
Meanwhile, the show is going to be more realistic, which means that when someone graduates high school...they move on, just like in real life (sometimes.) So the big cast change on the third season: Adios to original cast members, Brian "Smash" Williams (played by Gaius Charles) and Jason Street (Scott Porter) who will leave after a four-episode arc; they've graduated.