WATCH THE FIRST EPISODE OF 'SMASH' NOW
Smash debuts Monday night on CTV and NBC, and if the critics are right, this is the series that could finally drag the Peacock out of its miserable scripted series ratings after years of failures.
The show revolves around a set of genius playwrights (Messing, Christian Borle) who have the idea of launching a Marilyn Monroe Broadway musical.
In the pilot episode they pitch the show, find a producer (Huston) and a director (Jack Davenport), and begin auditioning for their lead — a choice that comes down to homely Karen (Katharine McPhee) or experienced Broadway star Ivy (Megan Hilty).
In subsequent episodes, viewers are transported behind the scenes as everyone involved attempts to pull together a successful Broadway version of Marilyn.
The result is a television show that’s unlike anything else debuting this season. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to the lawyer-laden fare NBC typically laces through its schedule, with powerful songs, catchy dance numbers and an addictive storyline that leaves you wanting more.
The first four episodes sent to critics weren’t enough to keep us satisfied; TV Guide Canada is absolutely hooked.
Smash hails from seasoned Broadway and television vet Theresa Rebeck, who based Messing’s onscreen character, Julia, on her own life.
“She’s like my avatar on the show,” Rebeck jokes to TV Guide Canada. “The first time she showed up to read with people who were in the finals for the part of Tom, she walked in and we were wearing the exact same clothes. We had the same boots and the same pair of leggings and the same sweater and the same glasses. It was sort of spooky!”
In order to pull off a TV project of this magnitude, Rebeck and her team have been tasked with submitting scripts exceptionally early in order to synch up with the song writing and choreography, and have to commit to their ideas early on — changing storylines and plots midway through would throw everyone off their respective games.
It’s a gamble new NBC Entertainment president Bob Greenblatt is more than willing to take, especially given his network’s current track record of failed scripted dramas.
Smash originated with him when he was still in charge at Showtime, and he brought it with him to his new gig at the Peacock. In order to give the series even more time to develop and to separate it from the pack, he held the series until midseason.
Having a big name executive producer like Steven Spielberg on board and very involved in the process didn’t hurt, especially when Smash was touted as the series that would save NBC.
“Somebody did say to me early on, ‘You realize that a multi-national corporation thinks it’s going to save itself on your show,’” Rebeck recalls.
“There’s a kind of bigness to it where I actually don’t believe it. I know what people are saying, but I don’t think so … I believe in the show and I couldn’t be more pleased with the way it’s coming out, and I believe people are going to connect to it.”
Judging by the massive publicity campaign attached to the series, the influx of positive critical reviews and the sheer star power alone, we’re willing to wager NBC is about to break a leg.
Smash debuts Monday, Feb. 6, 10 p.m. ET CTV/NBC.
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