Back at Ivy's apartment, Leigh admits that she didn't want this life for Ivy, but only because it is hard and she doesn't want her daughter to suffer. LIES! She doesn't want to share the limelight, it's obvious. Still, Leigh says that she thinks her daughter is really good at it, but she wants to protect her from rejection and whatnot. She says some supportive things, finally, but I'm not buying them.

Derek reads the Internet criticism/buzz to Tom, Julia and Eileen. It's not great. Eileen's not ready to quit and suggests getting some name talent to boost investor confidence. Tom thinks they are scapegoating Ivy. He thinks she did the best she could under sucky circumstances, and says that Derek only wants her gone because she embarrassed him.

Julia tries to shift the blame to the heat, but Tom suggests getting rid of Michael Swift, and Julia goes along with it. Derek's pissed as he was the best part. Hell, he cried! Eileen defers to Tom and Julia. She says there are other actors out there, though they begged him to come take this part. Bet Michael's regretting quitting that Bruno Mars show, right about now.

Julia goes home and her sullen son is sitting at the counter. As she tells him that they are firing Michael because he wasn't "right", I can't help but marvel that Julia's fridge is bigger than most New York kitchens. Annoying son seems really happy about the news that a guy who he seemed chummy with is going to be out of work. And then he starts crying (yes, crying, tears and all) in the most obnoxiously pathetic way possible. What teenager is this damned sensitive? Could we introduce him to Chuck Bass so he can man up? He's so wussy and annoying, I want to punch him in the face. Maybe someone will do that for me next week.

Check out 25 eyerolls from this episode of Smash.