Those who took in the first season of NBC's midseason musical drama 'Smash' know that it's inaugural run felt far from perfect, many critics maligning the presence of certain characters who contributed nothing to the series and only meddled in the affairs of an otherwise-solid storyline.  We've already seen that 'Smash' will add three new series regulars next season and change show-runners, so who's getting the boot?

According to Entertainment Weekly, 'Smash' will look like a very different show when NBC airs the second season in 2013, and we're not talking about the Marilyn Monroe musical 'Bombshell.'  Reportedly, fan-reviled characters Ellis Boyd (Jaime Cepero) and Dev Sundaram (Raza Jaffrey) will take on a much-reduced role next season, at most appearing in one or two episodes to wrap up their respective storylines.

Both Ellis and Dev were the target of the majority of fan and critical distaste, Ellis as an ineffective villain meddling in the personal affairs of the main cast to further his own interests, and Dev a whining live-in boyfriend to lead character Karen Cartwright (Katherine McPhee), who ends up cheating with her nemesis Ivy (Megan Hilty).  Near all of the feedback on the show suggested that 'Smash' would be better off without the characters, and NBC seems to be capitalizing on their prospective exits during season finale "Bombshell."

It would seem no one let Jaime Cepero on the plan, who recently shared with TVLine on his character Ellis' plans for season 2:

Nothing’s set in stone, but I’ve gotten a pretty generous rundown of what’s happening with my character in Season 2, and you can definitely look out for him a lot, doing some more [sneaky things]. I’m probably going to be even more hated.

While NBC had no comment on the matter, ditching the hated characters (they couldn't have sent Julia's wooden son off to college?) seems to represent part of the show's plan to re-tool for season 2, adding three new series regulars along with changing show-runners from departing Theresa Rebeck to 'Gossip Girl' veteran Josh Safran.

What say you, 'Smash' fans?  Will you miss Ellis or Dev, or could their dismissal not have come soon enough?  Let out your joyful song in the comments below!

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