Robert Green News

In a move to further accelerate the strategic vision and future of NBC Entertainment, Jeff Bader was named President, Program Planning, Strategy and Research, NBC Entertainment, by Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, to whom he will report.

According to TVLine.com, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson will appear in three of the first four episodes of SMASH's second season on NBC. The new season will also feature Broadway's Jeremy Jordan, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in Newsies.

Broadway's Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, who co-write the music for NBC's hit musical drama SMASH, reacted to this morning's news that they received an Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the show.

Celebrities Danny Glover, Delroy Lindo, Eriq La Salle, Sinbad and Boris Kodjoe together with Robert Greenblatt, President of NBC, caught Streetcar Named Desire stars and producer Stephen Byrd backstage last night at the Broadhurst Theater. The show is headed into its final performances; it is set to close on Sunday, July 22.

Veteran program executive Pearlena Igbokwe has been named Executive Vice President, Drama Development for NBC Entertainment, it was announced today by Jennifer Salke, President of NBC Entertainment, to whom Igbokwe will report.

NBC will launch NBC Kids, a new Saturday morning programming block designed specifically to address the developmental needs of preschool-aged children, premiering today, July 7. Programmed by the kids experts at Sprout, the nation's first 24-hour preschool television channel, this new three-hour block will feature educational series that promote active, healthy lifestyles for younger children.

NBC is partnering with the acclaimed 'Smash' producing team of Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (film versions of 'Chicago' and 'Hairspray') to present a live broadcast of 'The Sound of Music,' based on the original Broadway musical, it was announced today by Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.

In an interview with Variety, NBC's Robert Greenblatt revealed that he intends to increase the drama and shake up the music featured in the show by recruiting 'up-and-comers' to compose new original music.

Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy-winning actress-singer Jennifer Hudson ('Dreamgirls') will appear in a multi-episode arc on NBC's 'Smash' beginning with the second-season premiere when the musical drama returns to the NBC schedule.

At NBC's Post-Upfront Wrap-up yesterday, the network's Entertainment chief Robert Greenblatt confirmed the news that 30 ROCK will enter its final season this fall. The show's 13-episode upcoming season will close with a one-hour finale.

NBC announced today an ambitious new primetime lineup for the 2012-13 primetime season that combines one of the top-quality returning lineups on television with a new fall edition of the red-hot musical competition 'The Voice' and a crop of six new scripted series in the fall and four at mid-season.

GLAAD, the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today announced it will honor LGBT equality advocate, author and speaker Chaz Bono at the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented nationally by Ketel One and Wells Fargo. Bono will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the Los Angeles Ceremony on April 21, 2012 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, presented locally by Delta Air Lines.

GLAAD, the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today announced it will honor LGBT equality advocate, author and speaker Chaz Bono at the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented nationally by Ketel One and Wells Fargo. Bono will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the Los Angeles Ceremony on April 21, 2012 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, presented locally by Delta Air Lines.

Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz guest starred on the April 2 episode of NBC's SMASH. Watch his performance in the video below!

On the April 2 episode of SMASH, Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty) find themselves in competition again - this time for an orange juice commercial, but the two actresses let loose after a long, hard, work day in the middle of Times Square with their rendition of Rihanna's 'Cheers (Drink to That)'.

Today we are continuing BroadwayWorld's extensive coverage of NBC's musical dramedy series SMASH by talking to an Oscar-winning actress known for her genre-spanning performances in CRIMES & MISDEMEANORS, THE WITCHES, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, PRIZZI'S HONOR and THE GRIFTERS - among many other notable performances - the simply divine Anjelica Huston. Sharing stories about her famous family - father, director and actor John Huston; grandfather, stage and screen actor Walter Huston - Huston opens up about her experiences preparing for the tailor-made role of Eileen Rand on SMASH and drops some hints about the future for her character, in business and romance, as well as what we can expect her to sing in a future episode - the classic Kurt Weill/Maxwell Anderson gem originally written for her grandfather in KNICKERBOCKER HOLIDAY, "September Song". Additionally, Huston recalls previously musically collaborating onscreen with stupendous SMASH songwriter Marc Shaiman on THE ADDAMS FAMILY (remember The Mamoushka?) and reflects on her unforgettable role in the Stephen Frears modern classic THE GRIFTERS. Plus, Huston's memories of performing Shakespeare on Broadway, her reaction to Stephen Sondheim's insights on her father in his recent book, and much, much more!

NBC will launch NBC Kids, a new Saturday morning programming block designed specifically to address the developmental needs of preschool-aged children, premiering on Saturday, July 7. Programmed by the kids experts at Sprout, the nation's first 24-hour preschool television channel, this new three-hour block will feature educational series that promote active, healthy lifestyles for younger children.

NBC has renewed its critically acclaimed musical drama "Smash" (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET) for a second season, it was announced today by Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment.

NBC will premiere its intriguing new drama AWAKE on Thursday, March 1 (10-11 p.m. ET), starring Jason Isaacs ('Harry Potter,' 'Brotherhood') as a detective who finds he is leading a complex double life that defies reality. The series will continue on Thursdays (10-11 p.m. ET).

Tensions are rising between Smash's Karen Cartwright and Ivy Lynn after Karen was asked to preview a new vision for MARILYN The Musical and Ivy was informed that her replacement was inevitable. In this week's upcoming episode, it seems the tables will start to turn, as Karen and Ivy bond in Times Square. BroadwayWorld visited the Times Square set back in December when the episode was filmed to get some behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the team. Check out a preview of what's to come below!