‘AMERICAN IDOL’ VET JENNIFER HUDSON JOINS ‘SMASH’

So far on "Smash", Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty) have only had to compete with each other — but that's all about to change! The second season will bring in vocal powerhouse and nearly-impossible-to-not-like Jennifer Hudson for a multi-episode arc as Veronica Moore, a character who has already achieved her Broadway dreams, but has paid a very dear price for them.  “This series is a showcase for some of the best musical talent in the business and that’s a fitting description for Jennifer Hudson,” said Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment.