NBC Axes The New Normal and Smash

NBC has axed Ryan Murphy comedy The New Normal after just one season and also cancelled its musical drama Smash after two seasons.

The New Normal starring Justin Bartha and Andrew Rannells is the latest victim of NBC’s comedy cull. Already dispatched to the scrap heap are Whitney, Guys with Kids, Up All Night, Go On and 1600 Penn. The demise of Ryan Murphy’s comedy shouldn’t come as a big surprise given its poor ratings performance in the second half of its season.

The New Normal’s subject matter (gay parents) didn’t make it a favourite with everyone especially conservative organisations such as the Parents Television Council and One Million Moms. NBC affiliate KSL-TV, which is owned by the Mormons, in Salt Lake City declined to air the series because of its subject matter.

Meanwhile after much ratings woe NBC has pulled the plug on Smash after two seasons; the revamp of the musical series having failed to win over viewers.