Katharine McPhee Reacts to SMASH Cancellation - 'This Show Was a Huge Gift'

On May 9, just before NBC announced SMASH's cancellation, the series' star Katharine McPhee talked to The Hollywood Reporter about what the experience has meant to her, saying:

"Sure, I wish that it could have five more seasons, but we had two great seasons and all I can say is I loved every moment of it. I loved getting to the set, I loved the people, I loved my crew. We did amazing things on the show in two years," she told THR. "With this business, you can never predict what people are going to like or love or hate. All I know is that when the show started and people were so excited about the plot, I was excited to finally be a part of something that could showcase me. Everyone has perceptions about what you're capable of and what you can do and this show was a huge gift."

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Last night, May 10, NBC made the announcement that it had cancelled SMASH after two seasons. The series moved to Saturdays this March, and the show's wide fanbase was unable to boost the numbers. SMASH finishes averaging around 3 million total viewers.

McPhee, runner-up from American Idol's 5th season, is currently focusing on recording new music for Columbia Records, a project that will more than likely take her from the East Coast to LA. Her self-titled debut album was released in 2007, followed by her second album, Unbroken, in 2010 and a holiday album, Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You, released in 2012.

The final episode of NBC's SMASH's sophomore season, which was crafted as the "series finale", is titled 'The Tonys'. The teams of Bombshell and Hit List head to Broadway's biggest night. From the look of delight on the faces of songwriting partners Julia (Debra Messing) and Tom (Christian Borle) it looks like a huge night for theirMarilyn Monroe-themed musical.

The episode will include cameo appearances by Rosie O'Donnell (Grease), Cheyenne Jackson (Xanadu),Ron Rifkin (Cabaret), Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens), Lillias White (The Life), Marin Mazzie (Spamalot) and choreographer-director Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes). Also returning will be Broadway legend Bernadette Peters, reprising her role as Ivy's mother.

In Season 2, the "Bombshell" team is one step closer to achieving their Broadway dream. The Boston run was the success the team was hoping for, including producer Eileen Rand (Academy Award winnerAnjelica Huston, "Prizzi's Honor"), writers Tom Levitt (Tony Award winner Christian Borle, "Peter and the Starcatcher") and Julia Houston (Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, "Will & Grace"), last-minute star Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee, "American Idol") and director Derek Wills (Jack Davenport, "Pirates of the Caribbean").

As they all scramble to push forward, one of the show's players finds Brooklyn natives Jimmy Collins (Tony Award nominee Jeremy Jordan, "Newsies") and Kyle Bishop (Andy Mientus, "Carrie: The Musical") toiling away on a current-day rock musical of their own, which could either become "Bombshell's" biggest rival, or yet one more Broadway false start.

Photo Credit: Will Hart/NBC