'Smash' returns to ratings bust

Now this seems a little more familiar...

NBC is officially waist deep in the ratings doldrums. After last week's record breaking low rated premiere of "Do No Harm," the network was hopeful that the return of its musical series "Smash" would bolster their resolve.

The series was renewed for the current sophomore season, but instead of debuting among the glut of new programming in the fall, it was instead pushed back to a midseason debut. Unfortunately, the substantial hiatus worked against the series, as its season premiere returned last night to a paltry 1.1 rating with adults 18-49 and 4.47 million viewers.

The first season debuted to a strong in a post-Super Bowl timeslot to 11.44 million viewers, ranking among the highest rated new dramas of the year and a bonafide hit for the struggling peacock network. The first season on the whole average 8.94 million viewers, and even at its lowest point of 5.34 million it was nowhere near the second season premiere number.

Without the Super Bowl buzz or "The Voice" as a strong lead-in, critics were expecting somewhat lower ratings for its midseason premiere. However, no one predicted the 71 percent drop or that its last half hour lost viewers, falling to a 1.0 rating in the 18-49 year old demographic.