Smash (2012–2013) User Reviews

'Smash' just "Wants to be Loved by You...."

[mag6581 · 9/10 · 17 January 2012]

NBC takes it head-on in its ongoing battle with the cable channels with Smash, an edgy take on the inner workings of Broadway. With production values you would expect more from AMC or Starz, Smash is sure to light up broadcast television like nothing has in years.

The plot is simple in premise: thanks to the observations of an eager intern, a couple of Broadway producers decide to work on a musical featuring the life of Marilyn Monroe -- despite the fact that the last attempt on that subject matter failed abysmally. But, as spectacular as the potential subject matter might be, it is the inter-relationships between the characters involved in that production that inevitably make the show 'work' -- just as it is in a great musical.

There is the blonde 'born to play' Marilyn, and the brunette who just does it oh-so-much-better. There is the conflict between a producer and a director who just cannot stand each other. There are the money problems faced by an executive producer cutting it just a wee bit fine. There's the difficulty producers face running a production 16 hours a day and maintaining any semblance of a home life.

Not only is there entertainment value in the acts that make up the musical themselves, but the eye-opening realism of the personal dynamics involved in mounting a musical on Broadway ensure that this program will not run out of steam any time soon.

Frankly, I'm just surprised this show didn't happen any sooner. Congratulations, NBC -- you've got a great one in 'Smash'.

Broadway Meets E.R.

[Nathan_H_Christ · 9/10 · 16 January 2012]

Truthfully, this is the NBC's secret weapon for the mid-season. Let me first start off by saying the connections to Glee are strictly musical. There are no awkward teens or silly, juvenile issues that pop up in Smash. Smash is everything that Glee strives to me and more; original, witty, entertaining, but adds the element of realism. Slightly paraphrasing Megan Hilty, Smash is Broadway meets E.R.

You won't get any trivial relationship tiffs with NBC's new musical drama. The characters in this show have real lives with continuity, which makes for a great audience connection with each of them. The drama in Smash revolves around the backstage politics of a Broadway production in which all the characters are involved with. Actresses Karen Cartwright (Katherine McPhee) and Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) are both vying for the part of Marilyn Monroe in an upcoming musical written by popular Broadway writing duo Julia Houston (Debra Messing) and Tom Levitt (Christian Borle).

I saw the advance screening in Portland, OR, and was utterly amazed with the production quality of the whole pilot. I recommend this show to anyone who enjoys musical theatre, as well as good old-fashioned drama TV shows. Smash is sure to please.

didn't think I'd like it

[walnut2 · 9/10 · 3 May 2012]

I'm a huge Broadway fan, but not a big TV fan. I go twice a year to NYC and try and see everything that might win a Tony. I thought I wouldn't like this show because simply, I thought it would be lame. But a director friend of mine recommended it to me and told me to read the NY Times review of it. I did both and now I'm hooked. I find the story line a bit too Dallas for my liking but the cast is awesome and totally full of A-listers. Lots of appearances by Tony award-winning actors. Great talent everywhere. The musical numbers are authentic. And the behind the scenes drama feels real-ish. No homophobia, real producers, ideas based on fact - what's not to like?! I don't think the show is perfect but I want to give it my support. I appreciate singing with believable lip synching and that the actors in the show can actually sing and dance! More! More! More!

Love it

[mana6793 · 10/10 · 16 December 2012]

I was reluctant to watch this show as I thought it was going to be a failed attempt at another glee type show, however when I found out Katherine Mcphee in it I was immediately intrigued so I gave it a chance and I am so glad that I did, I like how a lot of the music is new songs written for the show, however they are not the main focus, it is about the process of making a Broadway show with a lot of musical scenes to make it even better, and the singers and actors are all incredible.

I have really enjoyed learning more about the behind the scenes of Broadway, but its not too much that you get confused or sick of it, you really fall in love/hate with the characters. The characters are also very complex which I love, you never know what one of them is going to do next

I never realised before how amazing Debra Messing is until this show, her acting is fantastic, and Megan Hilty is such a star. Any comparisons to Glee are simply because they both involve music, however they focus on entirely different things, SMASH is very mature and will easily appeal to an older audience, glee however is for teens and kids (like me, I love glee!) but this show is much more dramatic.

I watched the whole of series 1 in 2 days and as soon as I finished it I wanted to watch it again, which is exactly what I did!

Didn't want it to end.

[don-89-36870 · 10/10 · 23 January 2012]

Was surprised at how much I loved this. Can't really compare it to GLEE, it isn't anything similar. although i do love GLEE, it is just a cutsie little teenage show.

I did see one review that said there was too much singing and dancing, and that is what i loved about it. Love the story, Love the acting, Loved everything about it. I think the plot will carry it along.

Was totally surprised at how great job Katharine McPhee did. I wasn't too impressed with her in House Bunny, but WOW, I believe what they say in the show. She IS a star.

I was left at the end of the hour wanting more...

A breath of fresh air!

[greggkteacher · 10/10 · 21 July 2012]

This new show is a breath of fresh air. It has a simple plot with many complicated sub plots. It entertains you with great music and gives you a realistic look at what goes on during the casting, rehearsals and collaboration that is required to produce a Broadway musical. This is a high energy and fast paced piece of entertainment with a few twists to keep you wanting more. The interactions among cast members is so real you don't feel like you are watching television. I hope this show makes it because it is like nothing a regular network has done before. It has brought Broadway to television with a great cast, original music and a break from the many cookie cutter shows on television lately.

Great new show on the NBC roster, but will it be successful?

[wiz828 · 9/10 · 17 January 2012]

So I just saw the pilot episode of Smash and figured I should write a review since the show doesn't start airing on TV for another 2 weeks or so and this might help those who are waiting until then to make a decision on watching it or not.

A quick summary for those who are too lazy to check for themselves: Smash follows a group of people as they go through the creation and development of a musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. There's the two competing stars for the lead role (Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee). The writing duo (Debra Messing and Christian Borle). The executive producer who brings the money (Anjelica Huston). And the director (the always awesome Jack Davenport). This is accompanied by the occasional song and performance and some scenes of the family backgrounds of the characters.

Now to get to the actual review. As my 9 out of 10 stars rating indicates, I really liked the show. I'm not even a big musical fan (I never go to see them), but I am a music fan and the pilot episode did feature some good songs. Mostly though I appreciated Smash for what it gave me besides the songs.

The plot and dialog were solid and made sense. The pacing was was fast enough to keep my attention, though the time skips could've been made a bit more clear maybe. It didn't really bother me, but I imagine it might get a little confusing for the average viewer (if that just made me sound like an intellectual snob, so be it).

The acting was very good. The show obviously has a very strong cast with people like Anjelica Huston and Debra Messing in it, but the one who surprised me most was McPhee. As far as I'm concerned she is the break- through star in this show. Her acting was right on par with the other, more experienced, costars, but more than that she has that star quality Simon Cowell always like to blab about. She is captivating and steals almost every scene she is in. IF the show becomes a hit, it will catapult her career to the Hollywood stratosphere.

As for the obvious comparison to that other "musical" TV-show, Glee. Don't bother. As far as musical TV shows go, these two are polar opposites. Glee is a completely over-the-top, unrealistic, hyperactive, musical comedy. Smash is a realistic musical drama that focuses not on the songs, but on the story and the acting. I urge all of you to not dismiss Smash simply because you do not like Glee, it would be such a shame.

Of all the new shows coming this spring season (and I've seen all the pilots) Smash is the 2nd best of the bunch, coming only behind the completely ridiculously fantastic mind-blowing Awake (also by NBC). I strongly urge all of you who read this to at least give Smash a try. I realize it is not for everybody, being a musical show, but it might surprise many of you.

I hope this review was useful to you.

Fading fast- Season 1: 9/10. Season 2: 5/10

[safergus · 7/10 · 22 July 2013]

Loved Season 1. It had a coherent story, great musical numbers, and a great cast. We were engrossed in the struggle to put on a Broadway Musical, and were prepared to overlook its over-reliance on people just happening to eavesdrop on a conversation soooooo many times!

Season 2, however, is a mess. There is no one thread any more, and the overly melodramatic story meanders all over the place, at a snail's pace. You have Bombshell treading water, a ridiculous Dangerous Liaisons show also in the works, while, at the same time, everyone gets infatuated with the mediocre music of the obnoxious "prodigy" Jimmy Collins. It just beggars belief that these people would give him the time of day, let alone indulge his tantrums. Why anyone like Karen Cartwright would fall for a jerk like him is totally baffling and unbelievable?

Season 2 has been a great disappointment, after such a strong Season 1.

Sorry it lasted only 2 seasons

[aeiryl · 10/10 · 10 February 2016]

The cast, level of vocal ability and performance, choreography, and dialogue were all excellent. The juxtaposition and occasional pairing of the two lead singers in competition for the lead in Bombshell really played up the suspense and excitement while highlighting what each brought to the part. It helped that we saw it through the director's eyes - the difficulty in choosing between them.

I like that it showed the conflict between making decisions for the good of the show and for the good of existing relationships. The only unnecessary character / conflict, in my opinion, was the ladder climbing Ellis. His character had no real development or arc. The obstacles he put in the way of success could have been shown by different means than this villain who we were not made to care about strongly either way.

I would not have taken it in a different direction the 2nd season; it didn't jive with what seemed to be the original premise of the show (i.e., a musical about putting on a musical). The struggle to mount the show and bring it to major success was interesting in itself. Especially when showing the inner struggles of the various teams, groups and individuals. Very unique - nothing like has come before it - and authentic. I miss it!

This Show Was ,Unfortunately Doomed From The Start.

[marrzzie · 7/10 · 5 May 2013]

I like it ,but McPhee ,though pleasant enough to look at ,an an adequate singer,doesn't have the pipes for live theatre and has the stage presence of a potted plant. Hilty,who they positioned for the audience not to like,stole the show. But the real problem is they underestimated the stupidity of American audiences. They might have just as well done a show about classical pianists. The American audience has been dumbed down with reality TV ,and a dwindling PBS type presence ,as well as the republican party putting forth a distrust of anyone or anything that is smart ,or intellectual. This show could have succeeded on HBO or Showtime,a few sex scenes and a Sex in the City meets The Great White Way angle. They would have found their audience. But don't compare this to Glee. It resonated because everyone has been in high school,even stupid people, and they use pop music. Few people have ever performed live to a paying audience. This show couldn't draw on the sheer commonality that Glee can. In all,I'm sad to see it go. It could have been wonderful.

Can't Wait for Next Week!

[hcyeager-285-831195 · 8/10 · 6 February 2012]

When a show ends and you go "Oh Man!, What's next!" You know you've got a good show. I'll be honest, I'm a singing, dancing, Broadway loving person, always have been. In fact, I've already got tickets to see Newsies on Broadway in May...yay! So SMASH was right up my alley. I know Megan Hilty from her roll as Galinda in Wicked (among other things) and I have like McPhee for a while. And Debra Messing has been a favorite of mine since the Wedding Date...an underrated but one of my favorite movies.

All that being said, I think SMASH will be huge with fans like me, who are already interested in the whole Broadway, New York behind the scenes drama...but if you like those mediocre medical and cop dramas, this fresh new lavish show might not be for you. I hope that it catches on because this is fresh, and it's a different type of show. I just hope they don't draw out the Producer and Husband issues at home b/c of all the time Debra's Character spends on her work. I'm sick of that. LET WOMEN WORK! AND, Megan Hilty and McPhee could give Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel a run for their money...their voices are AMAZING together! I can't wait to download the songs and sing them at the top of my lung in my car:) Other then that...great pilot and can't wait for next week!

Poor Catherine McPhee

[bradleybes · 6/10 · 1 August 2021]

I've binged this show over a week and kept thinking how sad it is for Catherine McPhee. In what could not be a more obvious attempt to showcase her, the powers-that-be made the mistake of surrounding her with people whose talents exceed hers by so much that they have achieved the opposite of their desired outcome. Beside Debra Messing, Angelica Huston and Uma Thurman it becomes painfully obvious that her acting talent is barely over community theater level. She has a voice suited to a Disney network teen comedy and is forced to stand embarrassingly beside Megan Hilty, Leslie Odom Jr and Jennifer Hudson has their voices soar. And maybe worst of all? They have this flat chested, dull as paint drying, sexless gal trying to play the most iconically sexy woman in American cinema. If you want to make someone look talented, folks, in the future surround them with people less talented than they are, although finding an entire cast of people more boring than McPhee would be challenging. Maybe try an accountants convention.

A Disappoining Season

[glynne41 · 5/10 · 22 March 2013]

Last season, I would have given this program a much higher rating, but this season just keeps going from bad to worse. My favorite shows are always character driven. I become deeply involved with the characters in the story. I actually care what happens to them.

In this program the only character even worth watching is Ivy. The rest are all written as stereotypes. I say this with the deepest respect for the actors. You're only as good as you're written. I'm so tired of seeing great talent wasted on redundant story lines, predictable outcomes, and bad casting. I don't care about them any more. They have no depth, no ability to draw me in.

The stories are also all over the place. Instead of focusing in and giving us one or two great subplots, we now have at least five subplots going, and none of them are intriguing, much less relevant. It's just sad.

The music and dancing are fun, but that's not enough. Give us real characters to watch. Trust that your audience can deal with real people and real situations. This season the show is lacking in focus, devoid of any depth, and not humorous enough to support the cartoon characters it is giving us.

Let me be your star!

[frozzylove · 9/10 · 30 July 2012]

Simply beautiful. Music is spectacular and if 'Bombshell' was on Broadway I would fly to New York to see it. My boyfriend is having to put up with renditions of 'Let Me Be Your Star', 'Wolf', and 'Don't Forget Me' 24/7.

The series is full of twists and show stopping numbers. Derek (Jack Davenport, Pirates of the Caribbean) stands up to the stereotypical English villain with hilariously dry English wit and sarcasm. Looking devilishly sexy in nearly every scene he added special flavour to the cast! Ivy (Megan Hilty) is absolutely my favourite character - Megan's voice is absolutely beautiful and I was devastated that she didn't get cast as Marilyn! Karen (Katherine McPhee, American Idol) was a bit wet if I'm honest, and although no-one can doubt she has an amazing voice I think it was one that belongs on the top 40 and not in 'Bombshell'. I found the character of Karen a little annoying but then again I fell in love with Ivy at the first. I am a huge fan of 'Will & Grace" and I was ecstatic when I saw that Debra Messing was in the show as lyricist Julia. She is an amazing actress and she played the affair through beautifully. When she joined in with the impromptu 'Wolf' I was very pleased and the whole scene was amazing. Tom (Christian Borle) was hysterical. Beautiful voice and fitted the cast perfectly. Tom & Julia were the comedy couple to begin with (reminiscent of Will & Grace) but the tone sobered and they were beautifully broken (if that makes any sense whatsoever!).

I love Smash and I cannot wait for season two (although I'm not sure how it's going to work!) As long as it is full of further amazing songs and with the same dark humour then I'm along for the ride the whole way.

Smash is refreshing

[jmoranpc51 · 10/10 · 23 February 2012]

It is so good to have the option to see an upbeat musical instead of being limited to all of the police, vampire, garish and reality shows that have been taking over the networks these days. Katherine McPhee's performance is excellent. She is quite a refreshing actress and singer. The show is nicely geared towards the crowd that is over 16. Glee is much too young for me. I am 61. The show is very well done. The storyline is interesting and kind of reminiscent of the movie Fame. I am eager to tune into the next episode. I will be a loyal fan and hope that Smash becomes a long running show. It makes me smile and sing. We need more shows that can do that.

Adorable, Amazing, and my new favorite show!

[martinlutherfan · 9/10 · 14 February 2012]

I love musicals and grew up loving all the great Broadway hits like Phantom, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Jeckyl and Hyde....It is so refreshing to watch a show that provides us with a kind of behind the scenes and making of the next big production! The cast members in this show are outstanding and the music is spectacular! I hope, hope, hope that this gets the ratings to stay on the air! Although I'm a fan of Glee, I feel that it is less story driven and more theme oriented around certain artists or genres. If you are looking for something fresh, if you love a good drama, if you like excellent writing, and if you enjoy listening to people sing songs that make you feel good then you owe it to yourself to check out SMASH!

Smashing

[obei2005 · 10/10 · 31 January 2012]

It was good, from the beginning to the very end. It delivered ( from my point of view) very much, in one episode , and you kind of get and idea of who is going to be the bad guy, the good guy. The music was awesome, and i know that a lot of people are going to compare it with Glee, witch is not at all good because thats a totally different kind of story. Nothing to compare there, Smash has a more mature way of doing things "musically speaking". And for lets not forget Deborah Messing!!! I mean come on, she is sweet, nice and bossy and friendly and so on and so forth... Its good... Its all good.

Hoping that this series is going to have more then one season. It deserves more.

But it's nothing like Glee

[Smhasnb · 7/10 · 20 January 2012]

NBC will premier its new drama titled 'Smash' on the 6th of February. Previously, NBC joined the bandwagon after the major and continuous success of American Idol and produced a singing show of their own, The Voice, which has had mixed fortune. So NBC has now seemingly decided to bank on the success of Glee, with their own musical number. For obvious reasons, viewers will approach Smash from Glee's perspective and try to draw as many comparisons as possible. In truth, the only thing they have common is that both have a music connection. While Glee banks on a themed episodes and covers of famous songs, Smash has taken the opposite direction and composes originals (except for that one Christina Aguilera number and maybe one other). Smash also has a story which will stretch the length of 1st season at least. Anyway, here are the 5 main points from the pilot episode.

2. Cast:

The cast for Smash will be its biggest weapon, with Emmy winner Debra Messing leading the line. I had never followed Will & Grace religiously, but, I still found Debra to be a very likable actress. In the pilot, she plays a lyricist for musicals, who has supposedly vowed to stay away from theatre in order to focus on her family.Next big name of some sorts is Jack Davenport. He plays a theatre director with a massive attitude problem and possible debaucher, who gives away lead roles to females via his bedroom. He does a decent job at looking like a tool we would grow to despise, which I believe would be a success for him. The chief protagonist for Smash is, Katharine McPhee, the runner-up of one of the dozen seasons of American Idol. One would assume that she has a wonderful voice, but, in the pilot I think it was Christina Aguilera's voice (I'm pretty sure it was Christina). Her acting seems to be suitable for the role as well. She's playing the do no wrong, innocent girl, who's struggling to fulfill her dreams. Other cast members include: Christian Borle, Megan Hilty, Raza Jaffrey and Anjelica Huston plays some of the other major characters. Nothing out of the ordinary there; nothing appallingly woeful there either. Oh and UMA THURMAN is joining the cast as well.

3. Plot:

I admired how simple the plot was. At the end of the pilot, we see in a short 2 minutes clip, what we will see through the season. It's going to be a straight battle between the two ladies fighting to play Monroe in the musical. It will involve giving the director some extracurricular favors as well. The lyricist will have problems with her family at some point, it could involve an affair as well. A few other sub-plots will run in parallel. All in all, they have kept things simple, which I think will work for them.

4. Music, Choreography and Direction:

Music wise, I expect Smash to be better than Glee. They are performing original numbers mostly, and it is also rumored that in total they have already put together 13 original tracks for the first season. Having Broadway experience would help them in the backroom staff. Michael Mayer is the director for the pilot, he's done a decent job. I expect the quality of the direction to maintain through the season. The focus of Smash would be on musical numbers and choreography more than direction. That being said, if it lacks direction, the whole mix could look laughable. Choreography would be the crucial aspect of this show and could turn out to be the wild card. We only saw a glimpse of it in the pilot episode, so I cannot talk a lot about it. But, it might play a major part in making this show a major hit.

5. The Monroe Angle:

Don't we all just love Monroe? well to be honest I haven't seen much of her myself. But, America, I hear is a big fan of her. The creators/writers have very smartly banked on the Monroe factor. They have tried to play all their big cards to have a hit first season. They seem afraid to take a chance with this not being a hit.

In conclusion, NBC may have found its first hit drama of the season. Maybe not surprisingly, NBC's fall drama slots have been woeful. Prime Suspect; cancelled in the first season. The Playboy Club; cancelled in the first commercial break of the pilot (well I seriously hoped that was true). So the network really wants this to be a success. Yes, viewers will compare this to Glee. No, it's nothing like Glee. Will that be a good thing or a bad thing, is a question NBC will seek answers to. I believe, if this had come to us last year, when Glee's success was still fresh, this might have been a blockbuster. Regardless, it seems compelling enough for me to put on the 2nd episode. More reviews on http://syedhamzaali.tumblr.com

Everyone should watch Smash

[narihlee · 8/10 · 22 January 2012]

I went in watching Smash thinking it would be another Glee, but I was completely wrong. The story is smart and the acting is on a totally different level than Glee. Being a huge fan of Broadway and musical theater, this was right up my alley; however, you don't have to be a fan to like this show. It's more than just a story about two girls trying to get a part in a musical, it's about family, life, and perseverance. And for anyone having doubts about Katharine McPhee's acting, erase them completely because she really isn't that bad and her singing is absolutely beautiful. Of course Debra Messing and Anjelica Huston are great as well, which just make this show that much better.

Semi-Smash

[Xine9g9 · 7/10 · 28 April 2023]

A show that starts off well but becomes increasingly tiresome. Season One is interesting as Julia (Debra Messing) and Tom (Christian Borle) are inspired to undertake a musical about Marilyn Monroe and gather a cast of others, including the aggressive, womanizing director, Derek (Jack Davenport) around them to bring it to light. A second theme concerns the rivalry between Ivy (Megan Hilty), who's been striving on Broadway for years, and Karen (Katharine McPhee), the girl from nowhere whose brilliant singing and stage presence calvanizes all who encounter her. Among the other themes is the hostile end of marriage rival-producer hostilities between Eileen (Anjeica Huston) and Jerry (Michael Cristofer). Season Two introduces new themes and a raft of new characters. Bombshell is on its way to Broadway and the Tonys, Karen's love relationship with the appealing Dev (Raza Jaffrey) is on the rocks and other cast members deal with various other love and family crises. A second show begins to emerge--Hit List--written by two yound underdogs, Kyle (Andy Mientus) and Jimmy (Jeremy Jordan), the latter of whom becomes Karen's new love interest. The competition heats up, with the series culminating on Tony Awards night.

From the beginning the Karen theme undermines the show. Katherine McPhee can sing loudly but doesn't project anything near the brilliance needed to make her story of nowhere to Tony nominee feasible. And she is too weak an actor to convey the nuances of character and emotion. In Season One, this is somewhat disguised by her relationship with Dev. But by Season Two, she has become a kind of all-American Polyanna Redemption Missionary, intend on saving others (particularly the cynical Derek and awful Jimmy) from themselves. How on earth she managed to be starred ahead of Chrisian Borle, and even Megan Hilty, is beyond me. Jimmy is a horrible character who we are eventually supposed to come to understand and respect. Jeremy Jordan plays hime in a couple of monotones--monotone outrage, primarily, with occasional shifts to mono-sorry. The final episode is marked by a truly saccharine resolution of his and Karen's love affair.

As the final scene between them emphasizes, they were given some pretty poor material to play with. But, unlike the many of the other actors, neither of them has the skill to rise above their scripts.

For those who are not au fait with how it all works, the weaknesses of the show are partially overcome by the interesting issues of casting, pulling a musical together, the kinds of shenanigans associated with media attention and, sometimes, the music and choreography. And, along the way, we learn some things about Marilyn Monroe, although those could have been more fully drawn out, particularly in Season One, when Julia, Tom and Derek struggle to find focus.

All up, worth a look but not a second look.

Great Show

[ellis-278-641521 · 8/10 · 29 January 2012]

The production values alone are worth the price of admission, but this is also a show of clichés. You have the gay musical guy with his ever-grinning sycophant, who also came up with the idea for the musical, the harried wife/other musical person, the horny English director, who lives in apartment out of architectural digest, but is lonely and always on the look out for "fresh" faces and bodies to devour. On the other, we like the Indian boyfriend, we love the staging, the songs, the singing. As many have already indicated, it is the casting of McPhee that is the shows biggest issue. Having seen only one show, I only know that I felt she was out of her league, big time. This may be intentional, this may be the catch the producers are creating, and at some point McPhee becomes the smash. It's hard to imagine simply because McPhee doesn't really have the charisma to play the part. I like her, I like her voice, she just doesn't feel right for the part. That said, fun show and a worthy alternative to ever ballooning list of "singing" TV shows.

Great start, downhill from there

[miffedone · 7/10 · 18 April 2012]

After a stunning premiere episode, and a couple good ones that followed, the series has taken a dive as it's become ever more wrapped up in lame and awkward soap opera plot points that only detract from the theme. The casting is excellent: McPhee (Karen) and Hilty (Ivy) have a genuine rivalry and oodles of singing talent, you can feel a genuine backstory to Messing (Julia) and Borle (Tom)'s songwriting relationship, and Jack Davenport (Derek) is delicious as the egomaniacal director. Even other, less central cast members are well selected: the grinch you love to hate Ellis, Karen's love interest Jaffray (Dev), and of course Angelica Huston all fit like a glove.

So why is the show going downhill? Cheap writing, unrealistic plot developments, and everything is toooooo fast. Remember "Cheers"? Sam & Diane had a sexual tension for five *years* before getting together. On "West Wing" it was Josh and Donna tussling for seven. Here, by episode four, Julia has wrecked her marriage, it takes Ellis mere weeks to climb from "house sitter" to "almost co-producer", and only a month or two to get from one song to a full workshop, and soon to Boston with a new leading lady. Whiplash, anyone?

The writing is often just silly: Julia starts making out on the street in front of her own house with a paramour? The bartender keeps a basketball size stack of cash right under the bar, not even in a lockbox? Dev can't bring himself to tell his live-in that he didn't get a promotion, so he's going to split with her? This is the very definition of ham-fisted plot development.

More? Karen gets a lucky break when a mogul sees her at a bar-mitzvah, records a great demo, nothing is ever heard of it again. OK, it was an excuse to watch her sing, but that's it? Dropped plot point much? Ivy freaks out at Karen. Wait! Now Karen & Ivy are singing together in Times Square! Wait! Ivy is a bitch again! Wait! Now they're having drinks at the bar! We like Julia. No, we hate Julia! Oh wait, Julia's remorseful, we like her again. No wait ...

The music - or most of it, at least - is excellent. McPhee and Hilty each bring something very different to the table. Hilty is a bit "big" for the small screen, but then McPhee would likely be a bit "small" for the Broadway stage, so neither is "just perfect" but both are great here. The songs are catchy, memorable, and there have been (with only one or two exceptions) no attempt to jam Glee- ish material into corners where it doesn't not comfortably fit. And no, nobody thinks Wittman and Shaiman should be producing four original songs per episode, although by some reports they could.

No, the series has gotten sidetracked into a cheesy soap opera world of secondary characters we don't really care that much about, and has lost credibility (and viewership) along the way. One hopes that with a new showrunner in Season Two there can be a reboot, that it can transcend the mistakes of the first season, that it can be a big (*a lot, actually) smarter, but the steady and continuing ratings decline presage a difficult restart next season. I'm hoping for a bit turnaround, and it can't happen fast enough for me, because I began the season with such high hopes.

From a Good Start to a Let Down

[louisevalle · 5/10 · 14 March 2012]

MASH showed a lot of potential in the course of the first three episodes but the last two shows have been extremely disappointing. It is slowly turning into a cheesy soap opera. The affair between Messing and Chase was introduced way too soon in the show. Why not have kept the focus on McPhee, Hilty and Davenport, as well as the struggles of Huston to finance the show? That in itself was sufficient to keep me interested. Too often, good shows waste their potential by adding too many story lines, by making their episodes too complex. The golden rule of keeping things simple applies to TV series like in everything else. Look how silly Messing's story is right now: she starts out wanting to adopt a baby, she has a loving husband, and over night, she rekindles the romance with a lover who had been shown to have a loving wife and new born!!! Come on, get real! As it stands, I'm giving the show one more chance and if it turns out to be like the last two, I won't be crying if it's cancelled.

Not a Glee wannabe

[UDLoLO · 8/10 · 7 February 2012]

So all the overhype leading up to this show turned me off ahead of time. That and the thought that it was going to be a Glee-wannabe. I really hate when people cheapen original ideas by making knock-offs. I was sure I would not tune in. Then, I read a review that basically told me to discount this show as a Glee for adults b/c the music numbers are not the focus. So, I said, hmm, maybe I'll check it out. I am glad I did. The only relation this show has to Glee is it includes occasional singing and dancing (which all revolves around rehearsals/auditions for the musical). The show is not built around musical numbers. It is more a procedural that gives an insider perspective of Broadway and all the drama/reality of theater production. Also, not an American Idol fan so the idea of a runner-up being the star, also turned me off. Again, I have to stop assuming. Katherine McPhee was pretty good. Her chemistry with her boyfriend was very natural and their scenes were a big highlight for me. He's also a good unknown actor. I also am not a Debra Messing fan (ugh she drives me crazy) but she didn't annoy me either. My only favorite show of this season is Once Upon a Time which is very trippy and requires me to pay attention. This was a nice change from that. It was engaging and entertaining. I hope it gets stronger as the season goes on and I'm willing to give it a chance.

The best TV musical ever... sadly cancelled after 2 fabulous seasons

[eoliarez · 10/10 · 27 October 2021]

The cast is great with beautiful voices all through the two seasons. Great acting but also great singing.

The songwriters did an exceptional job with real songs and lyrics, not the "chanted dialogs you often see in musicals". There are numerous versions of classic songs with new orchestration and the casts voices but a lot of new material that would easily play on charts.

I was so disappointed when the show wasn't renewed and I would fully support the return of the show.