September 17, 2012 12:00 PM PDT

TVLine Items: Smash Adds Hairspray Star, Girls Season 2 Teaser, 'Diddy' Gets Sunny and More

by Megan Masters

Get More: Casting News, Pilots, Reality TV, Renewals, Trailers and Promos, TVLine Items, Video

Smash has added another belter to its ranks.

TVLine has confirmed that Hairspray starlet Nikki Blonsky will recur in Season 2 of the NBC musical, which bows in at midseason.

Details surround the Golden Globe nominee’s casting — which was first revealed via Twitter by Smash co-star Wesley Taylor — are being kept under wraps for now.

Among those joining Blonsky for the series’ star-studded sophomore run are Jesse L. Martin (Law & Order), Sean Hayes (Will & Grace) and Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls).

Ready for more of today’s TV dish? Well…

• The Girls are almost back! Press PLAY below for a first look at Season 2 of the HBO comedy, which bows in January.

• The Weeds series finale hit a season high with 864,000 total viewers, up 55 percent from the Season 7 finale.

• Sean “Diddy” Combs has booked a top-secret guest spot in Season 8 of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, per The Hollywood Reporter.

• Louise Roe (Plain Jane) has been named host of Fashion Star Season 2. She replaces outgoing emcee Elle Macpherson, who created and will still executive-produce the competition series.

• CBS has given a put pilot commitment to Welcome to New York, a comedy from comedian Jim Gaffigan and Rescue Me creator Peter Tolan. Per Deadline, the project — which will also star Gaffigan — centers on a man and his wife living in a two bedroom apartment with their five kids.

• Syfy has renewed Haunted Collector for a 12-episode third season.

Which TVLine Items have you talking today?

Tags: Girls, HBO, Nikki Blonsky, Smash

Comments (11)

Wes Brown = Wesley Taylor
Comment by meepmeep – September 17, 2012 12:08 PM PDT Reply To This Post
Smash’s casting department has been fantastic so far this year. I’m just hoping that the writers will actually be able to serve all of them quality material unlike last season.
Comment by BH @ TV Recaps/Reviews – September 17, 2012 12:28 PM PDT Reply To This Post
- I agree. Although I’m really apprehensive if the things I liked about the show will still be present and not muddled down by too many people. Although they ended up doing a good job at using a big name like Uma Thurman as a true character, albeit an annoying one.
  Comment by Danielle H – September 17, 2012 03:21 PM PDT Reply To This Post
While it appears that you’re sticking to filmed entertainment for your credentials, not worth mentioning that prior to Law & Order Jesse L. Martin was the original Tom Collins in the Broadway cast of rent? Gives him some pretty strong cred for the show.

The first season didn’t quite live up to its initial promise, but I still found it entertaining. Looks like they are pulling out all the stops to keep this show on the road!
Comment by Eric H. – September 17, 2012 01:12 PM PDT Reply To This Post
- TV Line already posted an article about Jesse L. Martin being on Smash, which mentioned him originating Tom Collins. They don’t have to mention it again in passing in this article.
  Comment by Ashleah Youn – September 17, 2012 01:34 PM PDT Reply To This Post
Yes!!! I love her!
Comment by laurenfrancesm – September 17, 2012 03:04 PM PDT Reply To This Post
GIRLS! HELLZ YEAH! I’m really happy to see Christopher Abbott (Charlie) in the promo. I was super disappointed when they didn’t decide to make him a regular.
Comment by Sam – September 17, 2012 03:22 PM PDT Reply To This Post
Nikki Blonksy is a perfect casting choice for SMASH. She’s beautiful and talented and could definitely hold her own against the other cast members.
Comment by Jared – September 17, 2012 03:33 PM PDT Reply To This Post
Jim Gaffigan ‘s first show was called “welcome to New York” is that a typo? Or getting back at CBS for canceling it.
Comment by Alison – September 17, 2012 07:01 PM PDT Reply To This Post
Good! I’m glad she is getting more work. I thought the show she was on for ABC Family – Huge – was highly underrated.
Comment by MariaPompeo – September 17, 2012 08:05 PM PDT Reply To This Post
Nikki Blonski?! Head exploding…this is great news. It’s time the world got to see her sing again!
Comment by Chris – September 18, 2012 01:00 AM PDT Reply To This Post

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