"Smash" has a bit of an Emmys problem. The show, which follows the creation of a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe, is entering the Emmy race for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, but with only two songs.
According to Variety, the series produced 19 original songs, many performed by Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty, but only one song from the songwriting team of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman can be submitted. Emmy rules dictate only one song from a team can be submitted. The duo, according to Variety, have submitted "Let Me Be Your Star," the duet between McPhee and Hilty at the end of the first episode of "Smash."
Ryan Tedder's "Touch Me," a club-like song performed by McPhee in Episode 8, was also submitted since it hailed from a different writing team than Shaiman and Wittman.
Last year, "Saturday Night Live" and Justin Timberlake took home the Emmy for Timberlake's opening monologue. The music came from Katreese Barnes with lyrics from Seth Meyers, Justin Timberlake and John Mulaney.
In terms of acting Emmys, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed Debra Messing is the only actress to submit herself for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. McPhee, Hilty and Anjelica Huston submitted as Supporting Actress.