• by Wayne Friedman , February 6, 2013

NBC's "Smash" didn't "open" -- to use industry parlance --  for its second season premiere.

The ambitious show about the backstage goings on at a Broadway show, landed with a thud on Tuesday-- a oh-no Nielsen 1.1 rating/3 share among 18-49ers, down mightily from its strong 3.8 rating a year ago, and almost a full rating point less than its 1.8 rating season finale a year ago.

"Smash" did get the benefit of "The Voice" lead-in viewers for the better part of last season. Not this time around. Overall viewers came in at 4.5 million on Tuesday night versus 11.5 million in its first season premiere, and down from its 7 million average take for season one.