Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Sunday night on NBC, Katharine McPhee will take her final bow as Karen Cartwright.

The final two episodes of “Smash” — “The Nominations” and “The Tonys” — air tonight, beginning at 9 p.m.

Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty will bid farewell on Smash Sunday evening. (NBC Photo)

Airing after The Voice, “Smash” enjoyed success last year

But ratings crashed in Season 2, prompting an April move from Tuesday to Saturday nights and the announcement that the show wouldn’t be back for a third season.

For those who missed out, the series focused on efforts to launch a new Broadway show called “Bombshell,” based on Marilyn Monroe.

Katharine plays Karen Cartwright, a gal from Iowa trying to make a name for herself on Broadway. She competes with the more experienced Megan Hilty, in the role of Ivy Lynn, for the part of Marilyn.

Season 2 also saw the addition of Jennifer Hudson to the cast for a multi-series arc.

Sunday’s double episode will include new musical numbers, including a cover of Rihanna’s “Stay” by Katharine and a duet appropriately named “Big Finish” by Katharine and Megan.

I’ve embedded audio of that song below, followed by a photo gallery looking at Katharine McPhee’s second season in her first starring role on TV. I’ve included a couple pics of Jennifer Hudson as well.

Katharine, of course, was runner-up to Taylor Hicks back on Season 5 of American Idol.

Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee in Smash. (NBC Photo)

Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee in a scene from Sunday’s “The Tonys” episode of Smash. (NBC Photo)

Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee in Smash. (NBC Photo)

Katharine McPhee in Smash. (NBC Photo)

Katharine McPhee in Smash. (NBC Photo)

Katharine McPhee in Smash. (NBC Photo)

Krysa Rodriquez and Katharine McPhee in Smash. (NBC Photo)

Katharine McPhee in Smash. (NBC Photo)

Katharine McPhee in Smash. (NBC Photo)

Katharine McPhee in Smash. (NBC Photo)

Katharine McPhee in Smash. (NBC Photo)

Jack Davenport and Katharine McPhee on Smash. (NBC Photo)

Jennifer Hudson and Kat McPhee on Smash. (NBC Photo)

Jennifer Hudson as Veronica Moore on Smash. (NBC Photo)

Jennifer Hudson as Veronica Moore on Smash. (NBC Photo)

Jennifer Hudson as Veronica Moore on Smash. (NBC Photo)