Smash [NBC] [** Spoilers **]

JP Liz V1

Source

NBC is developing an hour-long pilot for a new Glee-esque series called Smash, a TV musical based on an idea by iconic lensman Steven Spielberg, who will be executive producing the whole shebang.

Any new copycat show that tried to compete with Glee generally wouldn’t have a snowball’s chance in Hades of eclipsing its awesomeness – but with Spielberg at the helm, this could be promising. The show will follow a cast of actors in the process of putting together a Broadway musical. We dunno – without the teen angst, high school politics, and the tension between characters like Will Schuester and Sue Sylvester, it just doesn’t sound as good!
Several producers from the now-defunct Broadway production of Hairspray have been commissioned to work on the pilot. Additionally, there are even a few Tony-winning songwriters on board to pen original songs for the show.

http://www.tvline.com/2011/02/scoop-will-graces-debra-messing-joins-nbcs-glee-esque-pilot-smash/

Debra Messing in talks for a role

JP Liz V1

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a303634/katharine-mcphee-joins-musical-smash.html

Katharine McPhee has signed on for Steven Spielberg's upcoming musical drama Smash, according to reports.
The singer and actress will star in the NBC pilot which revolves around a group who team together to stage a Broadway show based on the life on Marilyn Monroe, says The Hollywood Reporter.
Details of McPhee's character have not been announced, although it has been confirmed that former Will & Grace star Debra Messing will play the production's lyricist, and that Jack Davenport will appear as the choreographer.
Spielberg is among the executive producers of Smash.
McPhee shot to fame on American Idol, where she finished runner-up on the fifth season. She has since appeared in movies including The House Bunny and guest starred in TV shows such as CSI: NY and Community.

Richard Dower

According to Deadline....picked up to series by NBC.

Richard Dower

I wanna talk a little about this, i know it's being touted as a Glee type show...imo this is totally wrong!...it won't be a Glee cheesfest with kids. It'll be a more serious adult orientated show ala Studio 60 On Sunset Strip meets Fame, it's a behind-the-scenes look at putting on a Broadway musical.

It's not kids in high school singin' 'n dancin'....yes there will be musical numbers and dance rehearsals, but i'd say that'll be a backdrop to more of an interpersonal relationship type show, ergo Studio 60.....imo i think the buzz and PR is totally misselling this show to people.

Richard Dower

http://broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-TV-First-Look-Messing-McPhee-Talk-SMASH-20110515

http://broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=237016

This is gonna be a SMASH!

‘SMASH’ — “Smash” is a musical drama that celebrates the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theater as it follows a cross-section of dreamers and schemers who all have one common desire — to be a “Smash.” The series centers on a desire to create a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe — written by the successful songwriting duo of Tom (Tony Award nominee Christian Borle, “Legally Blonde: The Musical”) and Julia (Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, “Will & Grace”). Julia recently began the process of adopting a child with her husband of many years, but her focus is torn when she has the opportunity to write another Broadway hit. A rivalry soon forms for the lead role between a youthful, inexperienced Midwestern beauty (Katharine McPhee, “American Idol”) — who is trying to find fame in the big city against all odds — and stage veteran (Megan Hilty, “9 to 5: The Musical”), who’s determined to leave the chorus line and finally get her big break. A tenacious producer Eileen (Oscar winner, Anjelica Huston, “Prizzi’s Honor”) discovers the “Marilyn” project and jumps on board with a brilliant director (Jack Davenport, “Pirates of the Caribbean” films) — whose talent is matched by his cunning and egocentric amorality. The series stemmed from an idea of executive producer and multiple Emmy and Oscar winner Steven Spielberg (“ER,” “Schindler’s List”). The pilot was written by acclaimed playwright/screenwriter Theresa Rebeck (“Mauritius,” “NYPD Blue”). Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Oscar-winning “Chicago,” “Hairspray”) and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey (“United States Of Tara,” “The Borgias”) will also serve as executive producers. Original songs are written by Tony and Grammy Award winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (“Hairspray,” “Catch Me If You Can”), who also serve as executive producers. “Smash” is a production of Universal Media Studios in association with DreamWorks. The pilot was directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (“Spring Awakening,” “American Idiot”).

pooch90

Thanks for the clariffication Richard, if it was Glee-esque I'd avoid like the plague but Studio 60-esque is a good in my book.
Will try it.

phasers

God I despise Debra Messing. Which is a pity, this looked promising!

JP Liz V1

Anjelica Huston also in the show

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00040551.html

^ Preview and clip

Richard Dower

Debra Messing on Smash, besides singing....nothing like Glee:

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/05/16/debra-messing-on-smash-similar-to-glee-because-there-is-singing-but-thats-it/

JP Liz V1

Promo Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U_SlMpFJvk

the whole year inn

is this a mini series or an actually season?

Richard Dower

^ series, it's mid-season so i'd say 13 episode order, but its on at 10pm....so it's definately adult orientated, if it's a hit they say they'll put on a new musical each season.

Richard Dower

Ah! bugger!!....seems Smash is following the Glee trajectory: http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/columbia-records-teams-with-nbc-for-smash-music-albums-inks-solo-recording-deal-with-co-star-kathatine-mcphee/

Following in the footsteps of Fox's Glee, NBC has signed a deal with Columbia Records for the soundtrack of the network's new musical drama series Smash.

Richard Dower

Broadway actor Will Chase has joined NBC’s upcoming Broadway-themed drama Smash as a recurring. On the show, which chronicles the mounting of a Broadway musical and stars Debra Messing as the musical’s lyricist, he will play Steven, who has a history with Messing’s character. Chase, repped by Gersh and AC Management, has appeared in such Broadway productions as Billy Elliot, High Fidelity and Rent. On TV, he recurred on Rescue Me.

http://www.deadline.com/2011/08/tv-castings-will-chase-jons-smash-raul-esparza-boards-gifted-man-judy-greer-to-2-12-men-fearnets-hollistor-adds-2/

Richard Dower

More guest stars announced, seems like a Broadway hall of fame: http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/10/06/nick-jonas-and-bernadette-peters-to-guest-star-on-nbcs-midseason-musical-drama-smash/106310/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Tvbythenumbers+%28TVbytheNumbers%29

Richard Dower

Richard Dower

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/11/28/katherine-mcphee-smash-nbc/

Richard Dower

This might be the show that fixes what went wrong with Glee:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkyKoTb_snY

Richard Dower

Wow!...this is a major casting scoop...Uma!

http://www.tvline.com/2011/12/smash-uma-thurman-nbc/

Sky Atlantic have the UK rights: http://www.digitalspy.ie/ustv/news/a354949/smash-to-air-in-uk-on-sky-atlantic.html

JP Liz V1

Off screen hook up for cast already :eek: Debra Messing and Will Chase

S.M.B.

720p with DD5.1 web rip now available the files is around 1.2gb.

I shall wait.

Richard Dower

Seems ace quality to me, i shall spoiler tag review forthwith.

Richard Dower

I did see the pilot, it was good....but, i din't get the "happy buzz" i was expecting, lets make one thing clear THIS IS NOT GLEE, it's an adult drama at it's core, yes it has music and performances, but this seems secondary to a show about putting on a Broadway musical.

The standout here is Katherine Mcphee.....my christ she is just stunning to look at!, i mean this girl is.........no words, she draws you in, magnetic, i'm not a fan of Megan Hilty but the girl can sing!

Thing is, it wasn't the superb masterpiece people are/were saying it is, sure it's above average but not superb, material wise there isn't alot new here. We've seen this stiff in Fame and sundry other movies, again i won't compare it to Glee.

Honestly it didn't give me enough to be gagging to see more, i might watch one or two eps. to give it a proper chance, but you won't catch me saying i'm a lifetime subscriber.

3/5

Mr E

I'll rename thread to allow spoilers.

gazzer

Watched it this evening and I loved it. It's like Rachel Barry has left Mckinley High and moved to New York. I especially loved the last 5 minutes. Who doesn't love people breaking into song while walking down the street

JP Liz V1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSkhkZdI1to

Starts tonight

S.M.B.

I finally got around to watching this too and I'm a little undecided.

It really comes across as an adaptation of a non existent musical for TV about the making of a musical adaptation.

I liked the musical aspects, not 100% sold on the drama side of things.

Richard Dower

Any opinions on episode 2?

pinkypinky

I was surprised that on who they decided on for Marilyn.
So am interested to see where they go from here.
Definitely enjoying it though.

Richard Dower

Second week in a row....another BIG ratings drop :eek:

Twas a 2.8 last week [down from 3.8] and this week it was just a 2.3! :eek:
Smash costs a reported 3.5 million an episode!! :eek::eek:
Highesr cost series on the network, you can't spin this.....very bad news yet again for NBC :eek:

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/02/21/tv-ratings-monday-the-voice-down-slightly-but-leads-smash-alcatraz-continue-to-fall-most-cbs-shows-recover-castle-inches-up/120824/

FouxDaFaFa

Anyone still watching this? I'm finding it pretty difficult to get excited about. There's nothing particularly wrong with it, it just lacks something. I'm not too keen on Karen, just haven't warmed to her at all. On the flip-side, the musical numbers are quite good. (Although, "Rumour Had It" last night was not great).

I think the reason it hasn't lived up to its name ratings-wise is because it's too much of a niche. It appeals to me because I like musicals and musical theatre and occasionally perform in them myself, but I can understand why others wouldn't go for it.

Richard Dower

^ i was about to give up tbh....but i decided to watch ep. 4 just to give it a final shot....glad i did as ep. 4 was by far the best yet. It was lighter and much more humour. The performance of Ivy at the party was great fun!

I 100% get your thing with Karen/Katherine....she's like this stunning looking girl...like someone you'd see in school, all smiles and polite to your face but snarky and bitchy behind your back, very up herself as well.

Dare i say...boyfriend stealer material?, getting back to the show....it has a certain cable quality to it, it's like The Playboy Club in that i feel the show is being held back and restrained due to network and censors etc.

You really don't have many likable characters, Derek and the loathesome Ellis....ugh!, we're supposed to route for Karen i guess but as you say she has this sorta irksome quality to her.

We all know what will happen soon, Ivy will get cut and Karen takes the lead as Marilynn etc., one thing i'll say...if you were expecting Glee your shiite outta luck!, it's a very different show in tone and content.

I'm not sold on the show, i think it's average....but i'm willing to give it another shot next week. The ratings are still very average, after the finals it pulled a 2.3 demo same as last week. Considering The Voice is a huge lead-in NBC has to be disappointed, considering the cost of the show and the promotion afforded to it: http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/02/28/monday-final-ratings-2-broke-girls-adjusted-up-smash-castle-adjusted-down-daytona-500-final-ratings/122198/

Btw..Uma Thurman is preggers so won't be appearing on Smash....sucks for them (and their ratings)

http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/02/smash-uma-thurmans-pregnancy-means-no-marilyn-for-her.html

http://uk.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/spoiler_chat_daily_smashs_marilyn_twist/297237#ixzz1niX2X8v2

Meryl Streeps daughter: http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/02/smash-first-look-meryl-streeps-daughter-grace-gummer.html

FouxDaFaFa

Had to come here to rant about episode 6. I know we're supposed to be rooting for Katharine McPhee but it's hard when she shows up late to a Bar Mitzvah she's being paid to perform at, dressed inappropriately and without a clue of any traditional jewish celebration songs. Just smacked of disrespect and unprofessionalism. But of course that doesn't matter and

she gets a meeting with a producer

.:rolleyes:

I really liked the latest episode. I think by introducing Ivy's mother (who is phenomenally famous in Broadway terms) theyr'e cementing their appeal to that limited audience of musical theatre fans. I'd be worried about the ratings in the long-term, I don't know if people are embracing it in the States.

Also, really liking all the Marilyn parallels they're introducing with Ivy.

Richard Dower

FouxDaFaFa wrote: »

Had to come here to rant about episode 6. I know we're supposed to be rooting for Katharine McPhee but it's hard when she shows up late to a Bar Mitzvah she's being paid to perform at, dressed inappropriately and without a clue of any traditional jewish celebration songs. Just smacked of disrespect and unprofessionalism. But of course that doesn't matter and

she gets a meeting with a producer

.:rolleyes:

I really liked the latest episode. I think by introducing Ivy's mother (who is phenomenally famous in Broadway terms) theyr'e cementing their appeal to that limited audience of musical theatre fans. I'd be worried about the ratings in the long-term, I don't know if people are embracing it in the States.

Also, really liking all the Marilyn parallels they're introducing with Ivy.

I also liked ep. 7 but thought ep. 6 was stronger, i don't get the hubub about Bernadette Peters though , best part was Eileen giving that little rat Ellis the smackdown he deserves! :mad:

I loathe that little lurking creep, he's in everyones business....i hope he gets found out soon and fired, and the guy is clearly gay!....that GF is a beard!
The workshop part was very good, but i'm tiring of the tacked on drama....especially the Julia/Michael triste.....her poor son at the end

I felt really angry towards Julia putting her son through that pain, for what?....sex?, she disgusted me and the thing is...Debra Messing in real life has done the same thing!!!! :mad:

Broken up a marriage, cretins! :mad:

http://tvline.com/2012/03/19/smash-recap-season-1-episode-7-the-workshop-bernadette-peters/

Smash pulled a 2.3 last night, season low: http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/03/20/tv-ratings-monday-dancing-with-the-stars-premieres-34-lower-but-hurts-the-voice-hawaii-five-0-edges-castle-smash-alcatraz-hit-lows/125119/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Tvbythenumbers+%28TVbytheNumbers%29

JP Liz V1

I agree Karen isnt likeable

The only characters I like are Ivy and Eileen

Richard Dower

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

I agree Karen isnt likeable

The only characters I like are Ivy and Eileen

There is SOMETHING about McPhee that brings out the claws in other females i think, she's too self aware....if you get my meaning. She TRIES to come off all nice and sweet, but....you know a stuck up bitch is just beneath the surface.

Does that make any sense

FouxDaFaFa

Richard Dower wrote: »

There is SOMETHING about McPhee that brings out the claws in other females i think, she's too self aware....if you get my meaning. She TRIES to come off all nice and sweet, but....you know a stuck up bitch is just beneath the surface.

Does that make any sense

She's actually a very judgey character, not half as nice as they're trying to make her.
Examples:

• Finding out Ivy and Director are an item. She says "she's sleeping with him??!" in this shocked innocent voice, when it was only a few nights previous that she had gone over to his apartment late at night, stripped half naked and straddled him while singing him "Happy Birthday". FFS.
• Her boyfriend deigning to speak to an attractive woman is the worst thing ever.
• Coming in late to her recording session (rude in itself) she gives the scruffy guy this withering look after asking if he's Mr.X, as if to say "of course you're not, state of you".

I just hate her!


Ivy is great. I'm loving Eileen too, she's pretty bad-ass. Richard, agree with the Julia-Michael thing, it's the only arc that bores me. Well, apart from Lurky McLurkerson.

JP Liz V1

It has been renewed for a second season :eek:

It could do with a character clear out and revamp but keep Eileen and Iny maybe get in some new writers also

FouxDaFaFa

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

It has been renewed for a second season :eek:

It could do with a character clear out and revamp but keep Eileen and Iny maybe get in some new writers also

If they got rid of Lurky McLurkerson I probably wouldn't even notice. I keep forgetting about him and then he comes on for his few creepy seconds of airtime and it's like "oh yeah...that guy".

I'm nervous about the direction of the show. The obvious route would be for Karen to be given the lead for some reason, or to switch between Ivy and her a few times so we don't know who will actually play the role. I don't think that would be particularly interesting, especially since I hate the sight of Karen. I wish they would shelve the Karen character but, she is the main character. *sigh*

FouxDaFaFa

Liked the latest episode, it further cemented my hatred of Karen. She's playing the naive card so much but what exactly did she think was happening

in that warehouse? She knew they were going behind the songwriters' backs and Ivy's and she didn't give a fcuk.

The thing with Eileen's

daughter suddenly showing up and then leaving immediately was a bit odd, maybe she was a famous person doing a cameo and I didn't recognise her?

The scene with Tom and the director was dynamite.

It explains a lot. Stuff like a scorned director going around bad-mouthing a production or a certain person happens all the time, it's the ugly side of showbusiness.

I'm liking that they're bringing the political side of things into the mix too.

How rude was

Lurky McLurkerson to Tom? He had given him a job and extra chances when he didn't deserve it and the thanks he gets is basically a middle finger in his direction.

Richard Dower

FouxDaFaFa wrote: »

Liked the latest episode, it further cemented my hatred of Karen. She's playing the naive card so much but what exactly did she think was happening

in that warehouse? She knew they were going behind the songwriters' backs and Ivy's and she didn't give a fcuk.

The thing with Eileen's

daughter suddenly showing up and then leaving immediately was a bit odd, maybe she was a famous person doing a cameo and I didn't recognise her?

The scene with Tom and the director was dynamite.

It explains a lot. Stuff like a scorned director going around bad-mouthing a production or a certain person happens all the time, it's the ugly side of showbusiness.

I'm liking that they're bringing the political side of things into the mix too.

How rude was

Lurky McLurkerson to Tom? He had given him a job and extra chances when he didn't deserve it and the thanks he gets is basically a middle finger in his direction.

Meryl Streeps daughter :cool:

Spitting image of her...didn't you cop it?

Richard Dower

^Ellis....what a cretin!, he's a climber of the worse kind, a total snake.....i still don't buy his GF, bi-sexual at most, taking ballet class?....100% gay!, loved how Eileen' daughter caught Ellis at the door.

Seems dereck is homophobic, makes sense considering his dad....wtf were Eileen and Dreck thinking with that performance?, that was Lady Gaga or Katy Perry....not musical theatre.

trendy88

Quiet like this show. What annoys me about it is the fact that we are supposed to be rooting for Karen-but I actually cannot stand her. Ivy on the other hand-I find much more likeable.

Also some of the personal storylines are boring. Seriously couldnt care less about Julia's son or her affair with that other guy. Not to mention Eileens divorce. Anytime the story moves from the professional aspect to the personal side of things-I feel myself tuning out.

Richard Dower

Richard Dower wrote: »

^Ellis....what a cretin!, he's a climber of the worse kind, a total snake.....i still don't buy his GF, bi-sexual at most, taking ballet class?....100% gay!, loved how Eileen' daughter caught Ellis at the door.

Seems dereck is homophobic, makes sense considering his dad....wtf were Eileen and Dreck thinking with that performance?, that was Lady Gaga or Katy Perry....not musical theatre.

Wel well well, this news confirms my suspicions about Ellis and his sexuality, he is Bi

http://uk.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/spoiler_chat_daily_smash_gets/304839

Margerite in New Jersey: Ugggggh. I cannot stand the annoying assistant on Smash! Please tell me they are doing away with him and he'll get what he has coming to him!
Um…interesting choice in words because he certainly does have something coming to him. Something naughty! Sources tell me that Ellis (Jaime Cepero) is going to be sleeping with Uma Thurman's assistant on the show. Now, who wants to guess whether the assistant is a man or a woman? Oh, we'll just tell you (since that big ol' headline up there pretty much already did): It's a maaaaannn baby! So for all of you who were shocked Ellis had a girlfriend in the first place, this might end up to be the least shocking TV twist of all time. And solid proof your gaydar is not broken. Congrats!

Read more: http://uk.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/spoiler_chat_daily_smash_gets/304839#ixzz1qWKDHlqv

FouxDaFaFa

I agree with the above post, the production of a broadway show at this level is exciting and interesting enough without dragging all this soapy crap into it.

Ellis...what the FCUK is wrong with him? It's like he has no concept of social norms or how human interactions work. I'm not sure if we're supposed to like him and think he's a go-getter or something but he really gives me the creeps.

Felt bad for Ivy this ep. She needs to get away from that director, he's not doing her any good. Her wandering the streets in her angel outfit was pretty funny. Anyone else think her spiral has been a bit too fast?

I like seeing Tom's life, I find him so much more likeable than Julia. I'd rather see Eileen with the barman or being her badass self than constantly running into her ex.

As for Karen, I hope her ad turns out horribly. Or they cgi a new face onto her or something. Just cannot stand her.

Richard Dower

I liked the stuff they filmed in Times Square, singing...Ivy and Karen, that was fun and very Glee. Ivy drunk was fun too, as for innocent/naive Karen....please!, she rubbed the fact that Derek wanted to sleep with her for the Marilyn part in Ivy's face...also being snooty and up herself for apparently not stooping to Ivy's level.....yet we all know she's a snake and a backstabber at heart.

I would NEVER trust a girl like Karen, the only likebale character at this stage is Tom, and possibly Eileen....everyone else is loathesome....and that Julia, urgh!, she deserved everything she got this week. Her poor hubby, not only finding out she slept with someone but that it happened in the past, something she forgot to tell him.

She's a horrible character that i cannot support, many of these characters are cable show characters, not network....the fact that it was originally pitched to cable is showing.

If it was conceived as a network show you'd never have these many unlikable characters. Uma pops in next week....lets see what she brings.

http://www.youtube.com/user/NBCSmashOfficial?feature=mhee

i am nbcofficialsmash i run the channel its been amazing ive got 3,457 subscribers in a month

i just love smash the orginal songs are amazing

nbc is a channel that get low rating with the expet for the voice 11.2 million viewers smash is nbc #1 drama its going no-where

the soundtrack is out 1st of may volume 1

Tracklist

1) “Touch Me” featuring Katharine McPhee
2) “Stand” featuring Katharine McPhee and Leslie Odom
3) “Who You Are” featuring Megan Hilty
4) “Crazy Dreams” featuring Megan Hilty
5) “Beautiful” featuring Katharine McPhee
6) “Haven't Met You Yet” featuring Nick Jonas
7) “Shake It Out” featuring Katharine McPhee
8) “Brighter Than the Sun” featuring Katharine McPhee
9) “Let Me Be Your Star” featuring Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty
10) “20th Century Fox Mambo” featuring Katharine McPhee
11) “Mr & Mrs Smith” featuring Megan Hilty and Will Chase
12) “Let’s Be Bad” featuring Megan Hilty
13) “History Is Made At Night” featuring Megan Hilty & Will Chase

FouxDaFaFa

I've seen you on youtube, tajd. You are not employed by NBC but you comment on people's videos leading them to believe you are and offering them the "chance" to work with you on your channel. It's dishonest, you should be clearer about the fact that you are a fan and not connected in any way with NBC.

FouxDaFaFa

FouxDaFaFa wrote: »

I've seen you on youtube, tajd. You are not employed by NBC but you comment on people's videos leading them to believe you are and offering them the "chance" to work with you on your channel. It's dishonest, you should be clearer about the fact that you are a fan and not connected in any way with NBC.

my channel was hacked about 2 weeks ago by some glee troll and my email aswell i had to block him/her and so he/she did this to me making false comments and adding linking to purshase song thinking that i was seeling smash music to make a profit :eek:

thankfully youtube fixed my account and he/she was banned from youtube and thinks are back to normal

im just a fan that uploads the music and rips the music from the episodes thats not on itunes

thankfully also my subscribers believed me

FouxDaFaFa

That's crazy. Sorry for accusing you, in that case. I just felt really bad for those kids he/she was duping with the outlandish comments.

Are you team Karen or Ivy? Or both? Will you help us kill Ellis?

FouxDaFaFa

FouxDaFaFa wrote: »

That's crazy. Sorry for accusing you, in that case. I just felt really bad for those kids he/she was duping with the outlandish comments.

Are you team Karen or Ivy? Or both? Will you help us kill Ellis?

im team karen and yes die ellis ,ellis die

i hope more peopel start chatting aobut smash here ive favourite this page so lets keep smash chat going