Whether or not music fans have acclimated to NBC's relative, if uneven hit 'Smash,' the Marilyn Monroe musical-maker will stick around for at least fifteen more episodes next year.  However, at least one critical voice behind the series will be making a final curtain call before the next season.  But who?

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On the very same day that NBC announced that it would be renewing its freshman drama 'Smash' for a second season of a full 15 episodes (as opposed to the initial 13), Deadline TV reports that 'Smash's creator, executive producer, and showrunner Theresa Rebeck will depart the show.  Details are still being worked out, and Rebeck may in fact contribute scripts for the second season, as well as keeping her name as executive producer, but NBC will find a new voice to take over showrunning duties.

Despite some critical waffling on the tone and narrative of 'Smash,' the series represented NBC's most anticipated offering of the midseason, and produces on average viewers numbering in the 7 millions.  It's unclear what precisely led Rebeck to drop her responsibilities, but the producer will return to focus on her theatre career, leaving it also unclear what will become of writing executive producer David Marshall Grant, who joined the series after the pilot.

For those not watching, 'Smash' tells the tale of two actresses vying for the lead in a Broadway musical chronicling the life of Marilyn Monroe, stemming from an idea from executive producer Steven Spielberg, and starring Debra Messing, Christian Borle, Anjelica Huston, Megan Hilty, Katharine McPhee and Jack Davenport.

So, what do you think led to 'Smash's showrunner exiting stage left just after NBC decided to renew for a second season?  Have you kept up with the Broadway drama, said to be a 'Glee' for adults of sorts?  Tell us what direction you think the show should take in the comments!  Or don't.  But that's a choice you'll have to make, and a difficult one at that.

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