I haven't been a fan since the beginning of 'Smash'. Sure, I've watched every episode of the NBC drama musical, but that's simple logistics.
I'm a TV addict and unfortunately fall succumb to the powers of that flat screen.
In turn, I become a zombie, unable to stop watching.
It sucks me in...
And, eventually, all I see is Ryan Gosling:
And while that's not a problem for anyone, it defeats the purpose of television.
Back to my deep need to finish a show until it's dead, I have been watching 'Smash' since the beginning.
Prior to the show's premiere date, there was a lot of hype surrounding this new addition to the NBC lineup. Steven Spielberg was one of the show's executive producers and the marketing team for the show put this on blast all over the place.
So, first things in place, this was branded as 'Steven Spielberg's Show'.
Secondly, this show was a musical, following on the coattails of 'Glee' and all of the commercial success that the musical show received. 'Smash' - unlike 'Glee' - was set on the Broadway stage with all of the adult politics of the New York stage and everything that goes into a musical. To many, this seemed like an adult alternative to 'Glee'. In addition to Spielberg, the show set out to catch attention with its star-studded cast including Debra Messing, Angelica Huston, and a string of Broadway stars famous to the stage. So, now we have a Spielberg backed musical with a star-studded cast premiering on NBC and they introduced their star: Katherine McPhee.
For those of you unaware of Katherine McPhee's resume, take a look at the clip below:
That's Katherine McPhee losing American Idol, Season 5, to Taylor Hicks. Hicks is arguably the most undeserving winner in American Idol's history.
McPhee, although the runner up, is a phenomenal singer with a powerful voice. I was always curious, after the show, why she had not become a big star. She had a few roles in small movies and released a few songs, but nothing notable like a starring role on a Steven Spielberg backed Primetime show.
Once the show premiered, it was pretty obvious the power of McPhee's voice.
Girl can sing.
That being said, it was also pretty quickly obvious to the viewing public that McPhee has no substance when acting on the show. She's pretty lifeless and disengaging as a character. It's the songs alone where she shines.
An operatic cardboard box is akin to about as interesting as she gets.
The first season was a train-wreck. The show premise revolved around writing 'Bombshell', a Broadway intended musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe and the work that goes into putting a show together. At the center of the program was McPhee's character 'Karen Cartwright', a bright-eyed ingenue from the MidWest fighting to find a place on the Broadway stage. McPhee's character was pitted against Megan Hilty's character for the lead as Marilyn. This rivalry never had much meat to its bones to begin with. The two characters couldn't be farther apart and it never seemed relevant that they two would be at odds for the same role; especially because Hilty seemed like a better fit all along. Tied in with the competition, we were introduced to a string of disinteresting characters and a mess of conflicting story lines.
The show got predictable and boring very quickly. Most bloggers that I follow gave up on the show early on, along with many critics and audience members alike. The possibility of a Season 2 seemed bleak.
Then, Season 2 was announced. I had no intentions of watching the show, but being a powerless zombie to the TV, I knew I would give it a shot.
A few things changed about the show. First and foremost, by midseason of Season 1, Spielberg was no longer part of the promotion. It was as if he wanted to wipe his hands clean. At least it seemed that way.
All of that changed when I saw the promotions for Season 2.
Yes, that's right. Miss Jennifer Hudson herself was making a guest spot as part of a multi-episode arc for the show's second season.
What could be bad about that? Hudson is current, relevant, has a voice for the gods, and has a pretty Academy Award win under her belt. For those of you who don't know who Jennifer Hudson is: Shame on you. And take a look at the clip below:
Jennifer Hudson was brought on in hopes of adding some vigor to the struggling mess of Season 1. This was meant to be a new program. Needless to say, they had me at 'Jennifer Hudson'.
I started the second season of NBC's 'Smash' expecting the worst, not even hoping for the best. I assumed I would give it a chance due to Miss Jennifer Hudson's addition to the cast.
Miss Hudson gives life to the tired show.
Miss Hudson almost brings life to the life-less Katherine McPhee. Almost. That being said, she brought a new energy to the show and infused other Broadway projects outside of the first season's 'Bombshell'. All of a sudden, in this second season, the show began to cut away from some of their retired story lines and focus on Broadway and the culture and give some sort of variety, music-wise.
The first season got too caught up in producing 'Bombshell' and the trivial dramas of that show, whereas the second season, as I continue to watch has led a focus to many other avenues of the NY Broadway scene. We get a glimpse into more avenues and more of a focus on the talent.
As the show rebranded itself within the first few episodes, we were distracted by everything and anything that was Jennifer Hudson. She is a crowd pleaser that J-Hud. (Not to be confused with jihad.)
In the clip above, we see Miss Hudson's talent at werk, introducing new music to the show as part of a rival musical to 'Bombshell' named 'Hit List'.
'Hit List' brings a bit of rock-opera akin to shows like 'Rent'. It's a nice change of pace to the dull first season.
The casting powers that be even introduced a new character played by Broadway vet Jeremy Jordan.
Jeremy is gorgeous, a fantastic singer, and falls completely flat in the personality department, similar to Katherine McPhee. As he was brought on to play her love interest, it only makes good sense. At this point, McPhee's name is synonymous with the program, so in order to keep her afloat, they needed an equally 2-dimensional character.
Brava!
In addition to all of this, the story line has gotten much better. The characters (outside McPhee and Jordan) have grown into more interesting complex people to watch and the music has only gotten better.
The roster of guest stars has been hugely entertaining.
Including:
The legendary Bernadette Peters.
Miss Peters guest stars as a controlling, Joan Crawford-esque mother to Megan Hilty. Yum.
And, yes, that's the same Bernadette Peters photographed below.
Then there's Liza with a Z.
Liza Minnelli as Liza Minnelli. No introductions or prescription pills necessary.
And the always entertaining Sean Hayes, playing a bi-polar actor off his meds.
Sean is referencing the first Season of the show, above.
As of the moment, this gem of a program is being cancelled. I, for one, want this show back next season and think this second season speaks for itself.
There are a few petitions circulating online to save this show.
I hope we get to see a Season 3, because if they brought Jennifer Hudson once, whose to say they won't again??
Here's a petition to save the show!
Check out this clip from 'Smash' and its original musical 'Don't Forget Me' by the incomparable Megan Hilty:
Give the show a chance. If I can, you should.
Rewrite their story?
Thoughts or opinions?
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